KANO, Nigeria — Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano State, has emphasized that the 2027 general elections should prioritize competency over regional zoning.
In an interview with Channels TV, Shekarau responded to the ongoing debate about zoning and the presidency’s geographical rotation, urging Nigerians to focus on the qualifications of the candidates rather than where they come from.
“We should be concerned with the credibility of our president, not the region he comes from,” Shekarau stated. “All parties should focus on presenting the best candidates, regardless of their region, to ensure that Nigerians have quality choices.”
Shekarau noted that the regional debates over presidential candidates are irrelevant to governance and should not detract from the core issue: the competence of the individual chosen to lead the nation.
“It’s not about the region or where the candidate is from. We should look at the candidates and ask, ‘Who is best equipped to lead the country?’” he said.
The former governor also pointed to the recent protests against bad governance, describing them as a national issue, not a regional one. The protests, he believes, should serve as a wake-up call for the president and the federal government.
“The recent protests were not about states or regions; it was a national issue,” Shekarau said. “The message is clear: Nigerians want better governance. The federal government should reassess its approach and ensure they are delivering what the people truly need.”
He concluded by urging all political parties to present candidates who can inspire confidence in Nigerians and address the nation’s pressing challenges. “If all we have are bad choices, we will pick the least bad, but that is not what we need for the future of this country,” he added.
