Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, has urged Nigerians to reject ethnic and sentimental considerations in choosing their leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that competence and performance should guide voters’ decisions.
Lawal made the call during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he assessed the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the prospects for the next election cycle.
The former SGF said Nigerians must move away from identity politics and focus on electing leaders capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
According to him, “Leadership should not be based on emotion or tribe. It should be based on what people can do and what they have done before.”
Lawal argued that political loyalty should not prevent citizens from objectively assessing the performance of elected leaders, maintaining that governance must be judged by its impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He said, “I judge governance by results, not by tribe or sentiment. Nigerians are suffering everywhere, whether in the North, South, East or West, and government must be held accountable for that suffering.”
The former SGF also expressed concern over the state of insecurity in the country, saying many rural communities remain vulnerable to attacks despite repeated assurances by government officials.
“You cannot build a country where people are being killed in their villages and life continues as normal. Government cannot just keep acknowledging problems without solving them,” he said.
Lawal further stated that political change in 2027 should not merely be about unseating the incumbent president but ensuring that a more capable leader emerges.
According to him, “Nigerians must look for the right person that can defeat Bola Tinubu. But defeating an incumbent is not enough. If we remove him and bring in someone worse, it will not help the country.”
He added that voters must scrutinise the records and capacities of political aspirants rather than relying on popularity or regional affiliations.
“The issue is not just about removing anybody. It is about making sure that whoever comes in is better, more competent, and capable of delivering results Nigerians can feel,” Lawal said.
The former SGF also stressed that democracy thrives when leaders are continuously held accountable by citizens.
He said, “Democracy does not end on election day. Leaders must remain accountable all the time. That is the only way governance improves.”
Lawal concluded by urging Nigerians to use the 2027 elections as an opportunity to make informed decisions that would shape the country’s future.
“We must move away from identity politics. What matters is who can fix the country, not where they come from,” he said.
