Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has said that Nigeria does not need a rotational presidency but rather, good and capable leaders.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, Sowore argued that the focus should be on competence and performance, not on where a president comes from.
“If I have a good President in Nigeria, who can run this country very well, I don’t care where he comes from,” he said.
Sowore maintained that most Nigerians are only interested in having a president who can lead the country effectively, regardless of region or ethnicity. He added that every presidential aspirant should have an equal opportunity to contest for the nation’s top job.
“That is what the majority of the Nigerian people are aspiring for. That is the idea of this federation — that all the federating units should be able to have an opportunity,” he said.
Rotational presidency, which involves rotating political power among Nigeria’s major regions or ethnic groups, has been a long-standing debate in the country’s politics. While some believe it helps maintain balance and unity, others argue that it sacrifices merit and competence.
Sowore’s comments add to ongoing conversations about leadership, equity, and the need for reforms in Nigeria’s political structure.