Lere Olayinka, a senior media aide to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has condemned the practice of restricting political appointments based on geographical quotas, asserting that it hampers the selection of competent leaders.
In an interview on Channels Television from 12:37, Olayinka criticized the inconsistent standards applied to leadership selection in Nigeria, arguing that such limitations undermine effective governance.
He emphasized that prioritizing regional allocations for key political roles conflicts with the goal of fostering capable leadership and a progressive vision for Nigeria. Olayinka advocated for a merit-based approach, where competence and dedication to national development take precedence over geographical considerations.
He argued that tying appointments to regional quotas often sidelines qualified individuals, resulting in suboptimal governance that fails to address Nigeria’s complex challenges.
In his statement, he said, “You cannot, on one hand, say, ‘We want this country to be good, nice, and fine,’ and on the other hand say, ‘Because you are looking for the best person, you must choose a president of Nigeria from Sokoto State, choose the vice president from Kebbi State, make the Senate President come from Maiduguri.'”
By challenging this practice, Olayinka called for a shift toward selecting leaders based on their ability to deliver results, regardless of their region of origin.
