High Expectations as Campaigns for 2027 Begin

As the campaigns for the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections officially kicked off last Wednesday, Nigerians have great expectations from the various political actors.

The campaigns are scheduled to end 24 hours before Election Day.

President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking a second term, with other big wigs such as former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi of the National Democratic Party (ADC) seeking to unseat the president.

 Nigerians want the presidential candidates to use the 150-day campaign window to engage the people on policy, development plans and practical solutions, instead of resorting to hate speech, ethnic mobilisation and divisive rhetoric.

The start of the presidential campaign should begin a serious national conversation about the future of the country, not another cycle of empty promises, name-calling and exploitation of religious and ethnic fault lines.

As the candidates and their supporters move across the country, they need to conduct their campaigns with restraint, decorum, civility and respect for the constitutional rights of opponents and citizens.

Nigerians deserve to know in clear and measurable terms what each of the candidates will do differently if elected, and how such programmes will be funded and implemented. Candidates should go beyond manifestos and slogans and explain the specific strategies, institutions, timelines and resources to be deployed.

 The candidates must provide detailed strategies for ending terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes affecting communities across the country. 

They should also present economic blueprints that will move Nigeria from an import-dependent and consumption-driven economy to one built on production, manufacturing, agriculture, technology and value addition. They must explain how they will reduce inflation, expand employment, support small and medium enterprises, attract investment and create an enabling environment for industries nationwide

State governments should not impose excessive fees on political billboards that could restrict political communication. While they have the right to regulate outdoor advertising, such rules must not be used to suppress expression or deny opposition parties fair access to voters.