Former Minister of Information and ex-PDP National Chairman, Prof. Jerry Gana, has urged Nigerians to prioritize quality and credible leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the nation risks remaining trapped in maladministration if competent leaders do not emerge.

Gana made the call on Saturday in Kaduna while speaking with journalists shortly after the 2025 Reunion of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum, themed “Leading from the Front: The Role of Christian Elders.”

The elder statesman stressed that Nigeria’s recovery from its current socio-economic and political challenges depends on electing leaders with character, integrity, and competence.

“Leaders don’t just emerge; they are deliberately raised,” Gana said. “Those of us who are elders in the churches and other areas of responsibility must take time to look at people who are endowed with the qualities of good leadership. We must train them and prepare them to give good leadership.”

He emphasized the need for deliberate mentorship, saying that no country can produce quality leadership by accident.
“That is why I want to appeal to churches, elders, and political leaders to pay serious attention to raising high-

quality leaders. Nothing happens without leadership. If we want Nigeria to move forward, we must be intentional about this,” he added.

Gana decried the failure of political parties to prioritize merit in leadership recruitment, stressing that party structures must place competence, character, and integrity above vested interests when selecting candidates.

Speaking about the PDP, Gana reaffirmed his commitment to championing excellence in candidate selection.

“In the party I belong to, the Peoples Democratic Party, I do my very best to ensure that only excellent candidates are given the opportunity to emerge as leaders. We are going to insist that all our candidates — for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and the presidency — must be men and women of character, integrity, honour, and wisdom. Nigerians deserve the best,” he said.

Gana, who once headed the defunct Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), maintained that the quality of leadership in 2027 would determine whether Nigeria can overcome its current crises.

“Right from my days in MAMSER, I have always believed that whatever you do, you must do it excellently. If we are serious about saving this nation, then 2027 must produce men and women of excellence. That is the only way forward,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing debate over Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, with many stakeholders expressing concern over what they describe as a decline in governance quality since the return to democracy in 1999.

“We must raise leaders who will give qualitative leadership at the local government level, at the state level, and at the national level,” Gana added. “It won’t happen by chance. We must be deliberate about it.”