2027: Nigeria Should Focus on Competence, Says Baba-Ahmed

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged Nigerians to look beyond regional ties when choosing leaders. He wants voters to pick people based on their skills, honesty, and vision.

Baba-Ahmed made this statement during the News Agency of Nigeria Personality Interview Series on Tuesday in Abuja.

The PRP chairman's comments come after the party chose former Cross River governor, Mr Donald Duke, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

He stressed that the party intentionally turned away from zoning and regional entitlement politics. He believes Nigeria needs strong leaders, not candidates chosen based on their geographical roots.

"As a northerner, I am completely comfortable supporting Donald Duke because he is the best candidate available to us, not because he comes from the South," he said.

Baba-Ahmed pointed out that Nigerians need to stop making leadership choices based on ethnic, religious, or regional feelings. He said, "We have reached a point where the country should ask who can solve our problems, not where the person comes from."

He added, "The problems confronting Nigerians today are not northern or southern issues. Poverty, insecurity and unemployment affect every part of the country."

Baba-Ahmed, who is a well-known politician from the North, shared that all three people who ran for the PRP presidential ticket were from the South. He noted that no northern candidate took part in the contest.

He said party members chose Duke through a fair voting process because they believed he had the leadership skills needed to run the country.

The PRP chairman also criticized politicians who take advantage of ethnic and regional differences for their gain. He said these actions have weakened national unity and distracted leaders from their governance duties.

He stated that Nigeria's future relies on its ability to focus on merit-based leadership. He wants to see a political culture that rewards skill and performance.

Baba-Ahmed believes the PRP will keep pushing for politics based on real issues. He wants Nigerians to judge candidates by their past work, character, and ability to provide good governance.

He is confident that Duke’s candidacy will attract voters from different regions, ethnic groups, and religions. He concluded that Nigeria needs leaders who can bring people together around a shared vision of peace, security, and prosperity.