By Rayyanu Bala

As Nasarawa State approaches the critical 2027 general elections, the emphasis placed on indigeneship—reportedly holding a 42% approval rating as the most important factor which will influence voters decisions as published by Blueprint Newspaper (Saturday 19- Sunday 20, 2025) titled: “Indigeneship dominating factor as 2027 gov’ship race heats up in Nasarawa” written by one Moses Kwanta is deeply disheartening. This figure, though arguably questionable, reflects a strong emotional and cultural attachment by the writer to the candidates he has ancestral or ethnic ties with them. While such sentiments are understandable, elevating indigeneship above competence, vision, experience, and inclusiveness as the primary criterion for leadership is both shortsighted and potentially detrimental to Nasarawa State’s development aspirations.

In a rapidly evolving Nigeria, where economic challenges, insecurity, youth unemployment, and poor infrastructure continue to stifle progress, the elevation of ethnic identity over merit risks entrenching mediocrity. Therefore, leadership should not be an entitlement based on geography or ancestry, it should be earned through competence, integrity, and the ability to deliver good governance. When citizens vote based on where a candidate comes from rather than what they are capable of achieving, it weakens democracy and undermines the quality of leadership.

Undoubtedly, Nasarawa state is one of the Nigeria’s most ethnically diverse states, with over 20 ethnic groups coexisting across its three senatorial zones. This diversity, if harnessed, is a powerful asset that can fuel all kinds of developments, inclusion, and unity. However, when elections are reduced to ethnic arithmetic, diversity becomes a dividing line rather than a unifying force. A true leader should be judged not by where they are from, but by their capacity to serve everyone both indigenes and minorities alike.

Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of movement and residence, and every Nigerian has the right to vote and be voted for, irrespective of state of origin. Indeed, by clinging to rigid definitions of “indigeneship,” we risk excluding millions of contributing residents who pay taxes, build businesses, and raise families in Nasarawa state. Should a person who has lived in Awe for example, for 100years, contributing to its development, be seen as less deserving of leadership than someone considered as indigene but with no vision or track record? A mature democracy must move beyond these outdated sentiments. After all, no one on this planet sprouts from the soil like a seeds. Our forefathers all move from one place to another before eventually settling in our current towns and villages. In that sense, we are all settlers in the truest sense of the word.

With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the youth must resist the recycling of identity politics that have failed past generations. Nasarawa’s young voters have the opportunity in 2027 to reshape the political thinking by asking hard questions about policies, plans, and capacity instead of pledging loyalty to ethnic flags. Leadership that inspires hope, delivers results, and unites people should matter more than tribal affiliations.

Indigeneship may offer temporary emotional comfort no doubt about that, but it cannot build roads, improve healthcare, create jobs, or secure communities. Nasarawa State deserves leaders who can govern with fairness, efficiency, and vision regardless of where their ancestors were buried. As we head into the 2027 elections, voters must rise above narrow tribal sentiments and make choices that reflect the future we all want, not just the past we inherited.

Let us choose leaders, not our tribesmen. Let us choose progress, not parochialism.