A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-South and former Edo State governorship aspirant, Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon, has urged voters in the southern part of the country to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.
Imansuagbon said Nigeria needed a president capable of transcending ethnic, regional and sectional considerations and providing a sense of belonging to all Nigerians.
The ADC chieftain, who spoke against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections, argued that the country required a leader committed to fairness, inclusiveness and equitable distribution of political power, economic opportunities and government appointments.
He also expressed concern over what he described as perceived regional and ethnic considerations in governance under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the next president should be able to rise above sectional interests.
According to him, Atiku possesses the experience and disposition required to promote national cohesion and address what he described as inequities in the distribution of power and economic opportunities.
“Atiku would correct the inequitable distribution of power and economic lopsidedness. What we need is a president who would be fair to everybody, even in the area of appointments.
“We need an Atiku who would unify the country. We need a president who would be fair to everybody and give every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging,” Imansuagbon said.
He dismissed the perceived advantage of incumbency ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that the electorate ultimately determines the outcome of democratic contests.
“There is nothing like the power of incumbency when the people are determined. What we have is the people and God’s power. If the people want their power back, there is nothing the APC can do,” he said.
The former governorship aspirant also criticised the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the measures had increased economic pressure on households and businesses.
“Almost four years now, we have seen the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, including the removal of subsidy, inflicting pains on Nigerians through higher costs and taxes, while some businesses are struggling to survive,” he said.
Imansuagbon, popularly known as the “Rice Man”, further identified infrastructure deficit and inadequate electricity supply as critical national challenges that should receive urgent attention from the next administration.
He argued that the performance of any government should be measured against its ability to provide basic infrastructure and improve the living conditions of citizens.
“The same government that promised to provide electricity must be judged by its performance. We need a president who can fix the broken infrastructure across the country.
“Some of us today find it extremely difficult to travel home. Where are the motorable roads?” he asked.
On the argument that supporting a northern presidential candidate could undermine the principle of power rotation between the North and South, Imansuagbon said the overriding consideration should be the competence and capacity of the candidate to address the country's challenges.
He questioned the constitutional basis for zoning, saying Nigerians should prioritise improved living conditions over the geographical origin of the president.
“Is rotation in the Constitution? What we should be talking about is rotating hunger for food, poor schools for good schools and poor healthcare for good healthcare.
“I don’t care where the President of Nigeria is from. What really matters is a president that can fix Nigeria,” he said.
Imansuagbon said the 2027 election should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to choose a leader capable of tackling insecurity, creating employment, rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening national unity.
He further argued that Atiku had demonstrated the experience and determination required to govern the country, urging Nigerians to assess political aspirants based on their consistency, track record and capacity to deliver.
“We need a president that can tackle insecurity, provide jobs, build infrastructure and unite Nigerians.
“Atiku has demonstrated determination and capacity to make Nigeria work again. The way you know a man who will perform is through his consistency, even when things are bad. That is how you know a man who genuinely wants to serve,” Imansuagbon said.
