Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has challenged the practice of rotational presidency in Nigeria, insisting that the country should focus on effective leadership rather than regional rotation.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Sowore said Nigerians want a president who can govern well, irrespective of their place of origin.
“If I have a good President in Nigeria, who can run this country very well, I don’t care where he comes from,” he stated. “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 have an opportunity.”
Sowore argued that every presidential hopeful should be given a fair chance, regardless of their region, and described the rotational system as a hindrance to meritocracy and good governance.
His comments come amid growing debate about Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement, which was introduced to promote unity among its diverse ethnic and regional groups but has faced criticism for limiting voters’ choice and sidelining capable candidates.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, Sowore’s remarks highlight a public desire for competent leadership above all else.
