He further explained that the rotational presidency, as originally envisioned in the 1995 Alex Ekweme report, was meant to rotate leadership across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. According to the report, once all zones had had their turn, the practice should be abolished in favor of a return to merit-based elections. Sambo pointed out that even this framework has not been fully implemented, noting that the arrangement was never carried out as intended during the era of General Sani Abacha. “What they had wanted was for us to rotate it across the six geopolitical zones,” he said, “but we haven’t practiced it the way it was designed.”
Sambo concluded that Nigeria’s political future depends on meaningful reforms that move beyond artificial zoning and embrace genuine democratic principles. He urged political leaders to prioritize national interest over regional or ethnic calculations. His remarks come at a time when discussions around the 2027 elections are gaining momentum, with various stakeholders weighing in on the structure and fairness of the electoral process. As Nigeria prepares for another critical election cycle, Sambo’s comments underscore the need for a more transparent, merit-driven system that reflects the true spirit of democracy. This shift, he believes, will ultimately strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s political institutions.
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