Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has strongly criticised the idea of rotational presidency, arguing that competence not region should determine Nigeria’s leadership.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Sowore said Nigerians deserve a president who can deliver good governance, regardless of ethnic or geopolitical affiliation.

“If I have a good president in Nigeria, who can run this country very well, I don’t care where he comes from,” he said. “That is what the majority of the Nigerian people are aspiring for.”

He condemned zoning arrangements as unproductive, asserting that they often prevent capable individuals from contesting simply because of their region of origin.

“When you zone it to the North, the majority of Northerners would want to take a shot at it. When you zone it back to the South, the South of Nigeria is not Yoruba or Igbo alone. It is just senseless,” he added.

Sowore emphasized that all presidential aspirants should be evaluated on merit, ideas, and character, not on the basis of ethnicity or regional balance.

“Zoning the presidency to the worst character in the country is not going to make you get anywhere. Give everybody a chance… speak to us, and we will look at your character, exposure, and vote for you.”

The debate over rotational presidency has gained traction ahead of the 2027 general elections. With President Bola Tinubu, a Southerner, currently in office after Muhammadu Buhari from the North served two terms, some stakeholders are advocating for the South to retain power for “equity,” while others including Atiku Abubakar from the North are pushing for a broad coalition to unseat the APC.

Sowore’s comments reflect growing sentiment among some Nigerians who believe the country must shift toward a merit-based leadership model, especially in the face of deepening economic and governance challenges.