Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has urged the Federal Government to reassess its approach to governance, citing the recent #EndBadGovernance protests as a significant message from Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Shekarau emphasized the nationwide nature of the protests and their implications for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“The last protests on the end of bad governance is a clear message. The agitation was not a regional, state affair. It was a national matter. I think it’s a very clear message to the President and the Federal Government,” Shekarau said. “Nigerians are saying, ‘please go back to the drawing board and reassess what you are giving us.’”
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which spanned from August 1 to 10, saw Nigerians demand significant economic and political reforms. Key among their demands were the reversal of policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira—measures that have exacerbated the country’s cost-of-living crisis, doubling the prices of goods and services. While the protests began peacefully, violence later erupted in states like Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto, resulting in casualties and property destruction.
Shekarau also addressed the upcoming 2027 general elections, calling for a shift in focus from regional power dynamics to the quality of governance. He urged political parties to prioritize the selection of credible candidates.
“All the parties should come up with their planning in a situation whereby they make the best of choices. But for Nigerians now to decide, our concern is that let’s look at the candidates produced by the parties,” he said. “Our challenge is that all the parties should give Nigerians correct candidates so we have the best to choose from. But if you give us all evils, we will choose the best from the evils.”
Shekarau refrained from taking a stance on power rotation or a southern presidency, stressing instead the importance of leadership quality over regional considerations.