Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said allowing the South-East to produce the country’s president would help promote national unity, while also addressing questions about his ethnic identity.

Galadima, made the assertion while discussing political power-sharing and the need for broader inclusion in Nigeria’s political system.

He said he did not identify with the Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri ethnic groups, despite his background and political activities in northern Nigeria.
I’m neither Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri,” Galadima said.

Explaining his position, he said his parents did not speak Hausa before their deaths.

“Because my parents never spoke one word of Hausa before they died,” he stated.

Galadima then linked the issue of identity and political inclusion to the question of which part of the country should have the opportunity to produce the president.

According to him, allowing the South-East to occupy the presidency would contribute to efforts to strengthen unity among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

“The only way to unite this country is to allow South-East taste power,” Galadima said.

His comments come as political parties and groups continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. The NDC is currently associated with a ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, with Galadima previously discussing the relationship between the two politicians and the party’s political strategy.

In September, Galadima said Obi and Kwankwaso were working to harmonise differences between their respective policy positions after contesting the 2023 presidential election on different platforms. He described the pair as being “on the same page” while discussing the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 election.

The NDC chieftain has also spoken about the broader opposition landscape ahead of the election. In a separate September appearance, he said opposition politicians were exploring strategies for challenging President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

Galadima’s latest remarks therefore placed the question of regional inclusion at the centre of his argument, particularly regarding the South-East and its participation in the highest level of political power.

The issue of regional representation has remained part of Nigeria’s political debate, with politicians and political groups frequently discussing power rotation, inclusion and the distribution of political offices among the country’s regions.

Galadima’s statement specifically framed South-East participation in the presidency as a means of addressing concerns about inclusion and strengthening national unity. His comments come as political actors continue to debate the alliances, candidates and power-sharing arrangements that could shape Nigeria’s 2027 presidential contest.