A Presidential Hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim, says Nigerians will vote for leadership competence rather than ethnic or regional loyalty in future elections, insisting that the era of emotional and tribal politics is over.
Dr. Hashim called on Nigerians across the country to reject divisive politics, stressing that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not be able to hide behind regional sentiment in the next election cycle.
The PDP Presidential Hopeful was reacting to a renewed push by some elements within the APC to promote a North–South dichotomy, which he described as a desperate political diversion aimed at shielding the present administration from scrutiny over worsening economic conditions and governance challenges.
According to him, “Dividing Nigeria along regional lines in order to escape accountability for governance failure is shameful and dangerous.
Addressing the build-up to the 2027 general elections, the PDP Presidential Hopeful dismissed arguments centered on rotational presidency, noting that Nigerians are no longer interested in symbolic power-sharing formulas.
“Nigerians are not asking for a Northern or Southern president, they are asking for a competent president—one who can revive the economy, secure lives and property, and unite the country around a shared future of prosperity,” he said.
Dr. Hashim explained that both the North and South have had substantial opportunities to govern Nigeria since 1999, with the South producing presidents for approximately 17 years and the North about 10 years.
“Leadership failure cannot be blamed on geography, both regions have governed, what matters now is performance, not origin,” he added.
He warned that resurrecting ethnic narratives at a time of economic hardship, rising insecurity, and social fragmentation only exposes the ruling party’s lack of credible solutions.
PR: Adam Yusuf
