2027 Elections: Gana Urges Deliberate Grooming of Leaders with Integrity

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, on Saturday urged Nigerians to prioritise leaders of integrity, competence, and character ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the country risks being trapped in maladministration otherwise.

Speaking after chairing the 2025 Reunion of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) in Kaduna, Gana stressed that leadership is not accidental and must be deliberately nurtured. “Leaders don’t just emerge; they are deliberately raised. Elders in churches and other spheres must take time to identify people endowed with leadership qualities and prepare them to serve effectively,” he said.

He criticised political parties for favouring vested interests over merit in leadership recruitment, insisting that deliberate attention must be paid to raising leaders with wisdom, honour, and integrity. “Nothing happens without leadership. If we want Nigeria to move forward, we must be intentional about this,” Gana said.

On the PDP, he added, “We will 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.”

The former MAMSER boss emphasised that quality leadership is key to overcoming Nigeria’s socio-economic and political challenges and urged stakeholders nationwide to groom leaders deliberately at all levels of government.