A former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, has called for deliberate efforts to raise and support quality leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He insisted that Nigeria can only overcome its current challenges if men and women of character, integrity, and competence emerge to lead the nation.

Gana, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the call on Saturday in Kaduna while speaking with journalists shortly after the 2025 Reunion of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum.

The event, themed “Leading from the Front: The Role of Christian Elders,” was organised by the Kaduna Chapter of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum.

The former minister, who chaired the occasion, warned that the country risked remaining stuck in “maladministration” unless Nigerians elected leaders with the capacity to govern effectively in 2027.

“Leaders don’t just emerge; they are deliberately raised. 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 and characteristics of being good leaders. We must train them and prepare them to give good leadership,” Gana said.

He stressed that deliberate mentorship was key to raising quality leaders who could provide purposeful direction for the country at all levels of government.

“Nowhere in the world do leaders emerge by accident. They are trained deliberately. 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 noted that leadership recruitment in Nigeria often failed because political parties neglected merit in favour of vested interests.

According to him, political parties must prioritize competence, character, and integrity in selecting candidates for elective positions.

Speaking about his party, the PDP, Gana said he had always championed excellence in leadership selection.

He said, “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.”

The former minister, who once headed the defunct Mass Mobilization for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery, said leadership quality would determine whether Nigeria could overcome its current socio-economic and political 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.

Gana’s comments come amid growing debates on leadership recruitment as Nigeria approaches another election cycle. Many stakeholders have expressed concern over what they describe as a decline in leadership quality since the return to democracy in 1999.

For Gana, the task is clear: “We must raise leaders who will give qualitative leadership at the local government level, at the state level, and at the national level. It won’t happen by chance. We must be deliberate about it.” (The PUNCH)