Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Kano State governor, has emphasized that Nigeria’s focus should be on the credibility of its president rather than their geographical origin.
This statement comes amid ongoing debates about power returning to the northern part of the country in 2027.
Shekarau’s comments were made on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he stressed that the credibility of candidates should take precedence over their regional background.
“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 said.
The former governor further emphasized the need for political parties to present credible candidates, noting that Nigerians would be forced to choose the best from a pool of unsatisfactory options if parties failed to do so.
“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,” he added.
Shekarau also weighed in on the state of the nation, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s government to reassess its priorities.
He cited the recent protests that began on August 1 across the country, which were sparked by harsh economic conditions following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. While the protests started peacefully, they took a concerning turn days later, resulting in the destruction of properties, particularly in northern Nigeria.
According to Shekarau, the protests convey a clear message to the President and the Federal Government.
“Nigerians are saying ‘Please go back to the drawing board and reassess what you are giving us’,” he said, emphasizing that the agitation is a national matter rather than a regional or state affair.
