2027: Why competence should decide Nigeria’s next president — Edo ADC chieftain
September 13, 2026 3:36 pm
Former Edo State governorship aspirant and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Imasuagbon
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and former Edo State governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuagbon, has urged Nigerians to prioritise competence over zoning, rotation or place of origin in choosing the country’s next president in 2027.
Imasuagbon said the principle of rotational presidency was not provided for in the Constitution, urging voters to support a candidate capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
He spoke to journalists on Saturday in Benin.
“Is rotation in the Constitution? What we should be talking about is rotating hunger for food, poor schools for good schools and poor healthcare for good healthcare. I don’t care where the President of Nigeria is from. What really matters is a president that is competent to fix Nigeria,” he said.
The ADC chieftain urged Nigerians to elect a leader capable of tackling insecurity, creating jobs, improving infrastructure and fostering national unity.
“We need a president that can tackle insecurity, provide jobs, build infrastructure and unite Nigerians. Atiku has demonstrated determination and capacity to make Nigeria work again. The way you know a man who will perform is through his consistency, even when things are bad. That is how you know a man who genuinely wants to serve,” Imasuagbon added.
He specifically called on voters in the South to support the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election, saying he had the capacity to drive the development needed in the country.
Imasuagbon described Atiku as a candidate capable of unifying the country and addressing what he termed imbalances in governance.
He said Nigeria needed a president who would promote fairness and inclusiveness in the distribution of political power, economic opportunities and appointments.
The former governorship aspirant also criticised what he described as growing regional and ethnic considerations in governance under the President Bola Tinubu administration, insisting that the country needed a leader capable of rising above such considerations.
He said, “I am calling on voters in the South to support the ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election. He would correct the inequitable distribution of power and economic lopsidedness. What we need is a president who would be fair to everybody, even in the area of appointments.
“We need an Atiku who would unify the country. We need a president who would be fair to everybody and give every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging.”
On the possibility of the ruling All Progressives Congress deploying its incumbency advantage ahead of the 2027 election, the Edo-born politician said the ultimate power rested with the electorate. “There is nothing like the power of incumbency when the people are determined. What we have is the people and God’s power. If the people want their power back, there is nothing the APC can do.
“For almost four years now, we have seen the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, including the removal of subsidy, inflicting pains on Nigerians through higher costs and taxes, while some businesses are struggling to survive.”
Imasuagbon also expressed concern over the state of infrastructure and electricity supply, saying the next administration should prioritise roads, power and other critical infrastructure.
“The same government that promised to provide electricity must be judged by its performance. We need a president who can fix the broken infrastructure across the country. Some of us today find it extremely difficult to travel home. Where are the motorable roads?” he asked.
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