Lawyer and political activist, Prof. Chris Nwaokobia, has suggested that Nigeria’s next president must possess the energy, competence and capacity required to confront the country’s growing challenges, arguing that age and declining vigour could become significant considerations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an appearance on the Mic on Podcast on Saturday June 20, 2026, Nwaokobia appeared to take a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar while discussing the qualities Nigerians should prioritize in choosing their next leader.
The former presidential candidate said the country’s numerous challenges demand a leader who is physically and mentally prepared to engage fully with the demands of governance, rather than one who appears unable to keep pace with the intensity of national political engagements.
Referencing a recent opposition gathering in Ibadan where political stakeholders met to discuss the possibility of presenting a unified presidential candidate for 2027, Nwaokobia questioned whether some of the leading figures seeking power possess the stamina required for the task.
“At Ibadan, when the opposition held a rally to produce one candidate, he was there sleeping,” Nwaokobia said in an apparent reference to Atiku.
According to him, Nigeria’s leadership challenge goes beyond political popularity or longstanding political experience. Rather, he argued, the country requires a president capable of responding decisively to urgent national issues and inspiring confidence among a predominantly youthful population.
Nwaokobia stressed that Nigerians should move away from voting patterns shaped by ethnicity, religion and regional sentiments and instead assess candidates strictly on their competence and capacity to govern.
The lawyer, who played a prominent role in Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign as a leading voice within the Big Tent coalition, said his current focus is on encouraging citizens to critically evaluate all presidential hopefuls before making electoral choices.
For Nwaokobia, the debate ahead of 2027 should centre on who possesses the vision, strength and energy to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic pressures and governance deficits.
His comments come as political realignments continue across the opposition landscape, with discussions intensifying over the possibility of a coalition capable of mounting a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next presidential election.
