Shekarau: 2027 Elections Should Focus on Credible Candidates, Not Zoning
Former Kano State governor and one-time Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, has called for a shift in Nigeria’s political discourse from zoning to prioritizing credibility and competence in electing the president, starting with the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Shekarau emphasized that the fixation on a candidate’s region of origin holds little value when addressing governance challenges.
“All the parties should come up with their planning in a situation whereby they make the best of choices. But for Nigerians now to decide, our concern is, ‘Let’s look at the candidates produced by the parties,’” he stated.
He further remarked,
“Our challenge is that all the parties should give Nigerians correct candidates so we have the best to choose from. But if you give us all evils, we will choose the best from the evils.”
Call for Reforms in Governance
Shekarau also commented on the state of the nation, urging the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to respond to the frustrations of Nigerians, especially in light of recent protests against worsening economic conditions.
“The last protests on the end of bad governance is a clear message. The agitation was not a regional, state affair. It was a national matter. I think it’s a very clear message to the President and the Federal Government,” he said.
The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, were sparked by economic hardships following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. Although initially peaceful, they escalated into violence, resulting in the destruction of public and private property, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Implications
Shekarau’s stance aligns with growing calls from Nigerians for political parties to prioritize meritocracy and competence over regional balancing in the 2027 elections.
His remarks add to the ongoing national debate about how best to address Nigeria’s economic challenges and strengthen democratic institutions by focusing on the quality of leadership, rather than ethnic or regional considerations.
The former governor’s perspective is expected to resonate with Nigerians frustrated by governance failures, signaling the need for a paradigm shift in the country’s political landscape.
