For those who have found Prof Attahiru Jega’s criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari something to cheer about a detribalized public intellectual from the north — think twice.
The former INEC boss doesn’t care about sentiments. Especially about the south claiming marginalization, and asking for a rotational presidency to save Nigeria. Or of those who think members of the old guard must not lead Nigeria.
To Jega, neither matters.
“The way Nigeria is now, we need the best person with competence, capacity, experience to be the president to get this country out of the challenges we have presently,” he said on Arise TV August 17.
“That person can come from the north, south, east or the west.”
The north, where Jega comes from, has said Nigeria owes it one more term after the two Buhari got. The region also likes to brag about its number which it claims it can use to one-up other regions in an election.
Many critics of Buhari’s and other ethnic campaigners believe there is more to the boast— and an agenda of the north, especially the Fulani, to dominate Nigeria. So the presidency should move round each region clock-wise.
“This idea of rotational presidency cannot take us out of the challenges we have in this country, presently,” Jega, a political science professor, said.
Jega also noted “age may not matter” in determining who the next president should be.
APC national leader Bola Tinubu has been in the news over his health—and perceived ambition—in the run-up to the 2023 general election.
He’s the oldest of the crop of politicians Nigerians suspect to be eyeing Aso Rock.
Jega, however, suggested whichever region produces a candidate, young or old, Nigeria must interrogate his capacity to lead well.