Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised Nigeria’s practice of rotational presidency.
Speaking on a Tuesday morning broadcast of Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily,” the Ondo-born argued that the nation’s focus should be on electing a competent leader regardless of their geographical origin.
Sowore stated that the country’s best interest lies in selecting a president who can effectively govern, a quality he believes is not tied to any specific region. “If I have a good president in Nigeria, who can run this country very well, I don’t care where he comes from,” he asserted.
The founder of Sahara Reporters described the concept of zoning the presidency to a particular region as “senseless” and argued that it unfairly limits the opportunities for qualified candidates.
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According to Sowore, a more effective approach would be to give every Presidential aspirant a chance to present their agenda, allowing voters to evaluate their character, qualifications, and exposure before casting their ballots.
The debate over rotational presidency has intensified in recent times, with political heavyweights discussing the need to keep the presidency in the southern part of the country.
This comes after President Bola Tinubu, a Southerner, succeeded former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Northerner who served two terms. The discussion is a key factor in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, with prominent opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a Northerner, reportedly eyeing the presidency again.
