Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has stated that Nigeria should prioritize the credibility of its president over concerns about his place of origin.
Recently, there has been ongoing debate about whether power should shift back to the northern region of the country in 2027.
Those opposing this idea argue that the southern region, where President Bola Tinubu comes from, has not yet completed its eight-year term in office, and they urge the northern region to wait for the next presidential election.
However, Shekarau insists that discussions regarding the president’s regional background have no real impact on governance.
“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’,” Shekarau said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“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,” the former governor added.
The former minister also weighed in on the state of the nation and called on President Tinubu’s government to get back to the basis.
“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.
“Nigerians are saying ‘Please go back to the drawing board and reassess what you are giving us’,” Shekarau said.
The protests began on August 1 across the country owing to the harsh economic conditions since the removal of subsidy on fuel and the floating of the naira.
While the demonstrations began peacefully, they took a concerning dimension days later, leading to the destruction of properties especially in the northern part of Nigeria.
