Dr. Usman Bugaje, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has strongly criticized Nigeria’s rotational presidency system, arguing that it has contributed to the country’s socio-economic decline.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise TV, Bugaje advocated for a collegiate leadership system, stating that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government under former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu has been a failure.
Time for a New Political Conversation
Addressing the long-standing practice of power rotation between the North and South, Bugaje dismissed it as outdated and ineffective.
He emphasized that, despite over two decades of this model, Nigeria continues to face worsening economic and social conditions.
“It is time to rethink our approach. We have tried this North-South rotation, yet the country is deteriorating. All indices of development are in decline. Instead of focusing on turn-by-turn leadership, we should be discussing how to assemble a competent team to rescue the nation from political recklessness,” he said.
Bugaje further argued that the focus should be on competence rather than regional or ethnic considerations. “We should be asking: Who has the skills to fix this country? Instead, politicians are obsessed with their personal ambitions and entitlement to power, even when they have failed the people.”
Criticism of Buhari’s Administration
When asked why he is raising these concerns now, Bugaje insisted he has been vocal about these issues for years. He described Buhari’s presidency as disastrous, particularly criticizing his appointments in the security sector, which he claimed benefited neither the North nor the nation as a whole.
“Buhari’s tenure itself is proof that placing someone in power based on regional considerations doesn’t work. Leadership should not be about favoring one part of the country over another; it should be about competence and delivering results,” he asserted.
Call for Merit-Based Leadership
Bugaje maintained that Nigeria has capable individuals across all regions who can lead effectively if given the chance. He condemned the practice of electing leaders who are “barely educated, corrupt, and lack vision.”
“We keep recycling leaders who have no understanding of governance, who are only interested in primitive accumulation of wealth. This is why our country is struggling,” he lamented.
Concluding, Bugaje stressed that inclusivity in governance is important, but it should not come at the cost of national development.
Instead of fixating on regional power-sharing, he urged Nigerians to prioritize competence, integrity, and the ability to engage effectively on the global stage.