According to a report by Trust TV, on Sunday May 17, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections, a prominent chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the country's political class to abandon regional sentiments and prioritize competence and trust when selecting leaders for national assignments.

The former Kano State governor and Minister of Defence reflected on Nigeria's history of governance, arguing that the country's current challenges require an urgent shift away from identity politics toward inclusive, performance-driven leadership. 

Reflecting on his time in public service, Kwankwaso drew on his experience under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to illustrate that governance yields the best results when national progress is prioritized over tribal considerations.

“Olusegun Obasanjo is from the South-West, but he made me the Minister of Defence,” Kwankwaso stated.

He emphasized that political appointments in Nigeria should always be guided by competence and trust rather than ethnic or regional considerations.

According to the NDC chieftain, his appointment under Obasanjo reflected a critical period in Nigeria's democratic journey where national interest superseded sectional sentiments.

Despite coming from entirely different regional backgrounds, he noted that leaders were able to work harmoniously in the interest of national development.

Kwankwaso noted that these past experiences demonstrate the absolute importance of unity in governance, stressing that Nigeria’s contemporary challenges require leaders who possess the capacity to build bridges across ethnic and political lines.

He warned that focusing excessively on regional identity ultimately undermines the nation's ability to select the most capable individuals for sensitive, highly critical national roles.