National Leader of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed concerns that the emergence of multiple southern presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election will automatically hand an advantage to northern contenders.
Speaking during a television interview with Arise News, Baba-Ahmed argued that Nigerian voters, particularly in the North, have become increasingly focused on competence rather than regional identity when choosing political leaders.
According to him, “Most of the North has moved away from the idea that coming from the North is enough to get our votes.”
His remarks came amid discussions about the growing number of southern candidates seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. Some political analysts have suggested that a crowded southern field could split votes and benefit candidates from the North.
However, Baba-Ahmed rejected that assumption, insisting that many northern voters have learned valuable lessons from past elections and are no longer willing to support candidates solely because of their geographical origins.
He pointed to the experience of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, noting that regional loyalty did not necessarily translate into effective governance. According to him, Nigerians across the country are increasingly demanding capable leadership that can address pressing national challenges.
The PRP leader also reiterated his party’s opposition to rotational politics, arguing that the practice has contributed to division and mediocrity in governance. He maintained that leadership positions should be determined by merit, vision and competence rather than ethnicity, religion or regional considerations.
Baba-Ahmed expressed confidence that voters in both the North and South would evaluate candidates based on their ability to deliver good governance, security and economic progress, rather than on where they come from….Discover More
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