Nigeria Needs Capable Leadership, Not a Southern or Northern President – Gbenga-Hashim

A presidential candidate named Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has stated that the election of a capable, patriotic, and visionary leader who can address insecurity, generate employment, and enhance the standard of living for all Nigerians is more important for the country’s future than regional calculations or ethnic alliances.

Considering what appears to be a concerted effort by certain politicians to elect a Southern-born president in 2027, he explained why.

The “continuous manipulation of religion and ethnicity by corrupt political opportunists” that has failed to provide Nigerians with genuine development was denounced by Dr. Olawepo-Hashim in a statement issued on Thursday.

Nigeria doesn’t require a president from the North or the South. “What our nation desperately needs is a good president who can secure the country, boost the economy, and give our people hope again,” Hashim said.

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He cited instances from the constituencies of Lagos, Kano, and Gboko to demonstrate that Nigerians are capable of making decisions based on competency rather than ethnic or religious passion, as demonstrated by recent political trends and previous elections.

“In the 1993 election, the Kano people chose Chief M.K.O. Abiola of Ogun State over their own son, Bashir Tofa. More recently, Lagos voters turned away the current president in favor of a candidate from another area. Kashim was elected as a Kanuri Muslim in the predominantly Tiv and Christian constituency of Gboko. Into the first Republic’s Northern regional legislature. “These demonstrate our country’s maturity,” he remarked.

The Frontline politician charged that lawmakers who support regional presidency are more interested in their own agendas than in fostering national cohesion.

“Those who support either the Southern or Northern presidential candidates are doing so for their own stomachs, not for the benefit of the populace. These kinds of games have lost their appeal among Nigerians.

“They are looking for leaders who can do the job, not leaders who are just local or religious,” he said.

He underlined that the nation’s survival is now at risk and urged all political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 elections based only on their credibility, competency, and character.

Political antics have outlived their usefulness. Our future cannot be pledged to religious and ethnic merchants who do not deserve a decent nation run by decent people,” he continued.

Reiterating his pledge to create a united, safe, and wealthy Nigeria, the former presidential candidate called on Nigerians of all ethnicities and religions to unite in opposing divisive politics.