The 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr. Sani Yabagi, has urged Nigerians to re-examine the country’s power rotation principle, warning that it must not come at the expense of citizens’ welfare, national security, or effective governance.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Yabagi said the power rotation arrangement should not override the broader interests of Nigerians, stressing that national leadership decisions should be guided by competence and capacity rather than regional or ethnic considerations.
He argued that while the principle was introduced to promote balance and inclusion, there is growing concern that it now benefits political elites more than ordinary citizens.
Yabagi called on Nigerians to critically assess whether the rotation system is still serving the country’s democratic and developmental goals. According to him, leadership selection must focus on merit, competence, and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than zoning based strictly on geography or identity.
He maintained that Nigeria’s progress depends on strong institutions and capable leadership, urging stakeholders to prioritise national interest above sectional considerations in order to achieve sustainable development and stability.
Speaking on electoral litigation and the role of technology, Yabagi raised concerns over Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly the increasing reliance on post-election litigation to determine outcomes. While acknowledging that disputes are inevitable in any democratic setting, he warned against overdependence on the judiciary to settle electoral contests. He attributed the surge in election-related court cases to ambiguities in existing electoral laws and what he described as excessive discretionary powers within the current electoral framework.
Yabagi maintained that while legal challenges are part of democracy, elections should primarily be decided by voters at the ballot box rather than in courtrooms. He noted that just as the introduction of the card reader helped curb over-voting, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) should be fully leveraged to eliminate manual collation of results and further strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
To improve electoral credibility, Yabagi advocated the adoption of more reliable technology, including satellite-backed communication systems. According to him, such systems could provide fail-safe mechanisms, reduce manipulation risks, and minimise disputes.
