By Chesa Chesa
As political parties prepare to kick off campaigns for the 2027 general elections, Nigerians are demanding that candidates focus on pressing national issues such as insecurity, unemployment and poverty rather than divisive ethnic or religious rhetoric, policy analysts at public policy think-tank – Nextier – have said.
In a policy report titled “Nigeria’s 2027 Campaign Agenda: What Should Politicians Tell the Electorate?”, researchers Chukwuma Okoli and Ndu Nwokolo said the issues and strategies political elites choose to emphasize during campaigns will shape both the electoral outcome and Nigeria’s future over the next four years.
Dr. Chukwuma Okoli is a visiting Lead, Research and Policy at Nextier and a Lecturer at the Political Science Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; while Dr. Ndu Nwokolo is a Managing Partner at Nextier and a Reader (Associate Professor) at the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
According to the report, campaigns for the 2027 elections will provide a critical opportunity for incumbent officeholders seeking re-election to account for their stewardship, while also allowing voters to scrutinise whether campaign promises made during the 2023 elections have been fulfilled.
The analysts noted that the campaigns will unfold against the backdrop of worsening economic hardship and growing insecurity across the country, making the 2027 electoral contest one of the most consequential in recent history.
They observed that while Nigeria recorded modest economic growth, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rising from 2.74 per cent in 2023 to 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, the gains have not significantly improved the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
According to the report, inflation remains high, the naira has weakened sharply against the dollar, public debt has surged, and the cost of essential goods has continued to rise.
The report cited the sharp increase in fuel prices, from an average of ₦264.29 per litre in March 2023 to about ₦1,300 by May 2026, as one of the indicators of worsening economic pressure on citizens.
On security, Nextier warned that Nigeria continues to face escalating threats from banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.
The report stated that between June 2023 and May 2026, Nigeria recorded at least 3,656 violent incidents, resulting in 13,718 casualties and 8,729 kidnap victims.
It noted that kidnapping has become increasingly frequent and deadly, with non-state armed groups expanding their operations across more parts of the country.
Against this backdrop, Nextier conducted an online survey to assess what Nigerians expect from politicians during the campaign season.
The survey found that security ranked as the top concern, with 33 per cent of respondents saying they want politicians to clearly explain how they plan to tackle insecurity.
Youth unemployment emerged as the second most important issue, with 19 per cent of respondents identifying job creation and economic opportunities for young people as key priorities.
Poverty reduction ranked third at 15 per cent, reflecting widespread concern over worsening living conditions and rising hardship.
Other issues highlighted by respondents included healthcare, electricity, infrastructure, fuel prices, housing, transportation and gender equality.
The policy analysts warned that politicians may be tempted to avoid substantive discussions on governance and instead resort to ethnic and religious sentiments to mobilise support.
They cautioned that such primordial politics could further deepen divisions and worsen insecurity.
According to the report, if politicians rely on identity politics instead of policy-based campaigns, Nigeria risks missing another opportunity to address developmental challenges and improve citizens’ welfare.
Nextier therefore urged Independent National Electoral Commission to strictly enforce campaign regulations, particularly those concerning hate speech and divisive rhetoric.
The organisation also called on civil society groups to intensify voter education and fact-check campaign promises, while urging religious institutions to resist being used as platforms for political mobilisation.
The report further urged the media to provide fair coverage to all political parties and ensure opposition candidates are given equal access to public discourse.
“As campaigns begin, politicians will have to decide whether to address the real issues confronting Nigerians or rely on divisive narratives to win votes,” the analysts said.
They stressed that the political choices made during the campaign season would not only influence who wins the 2027 elections but also determine Nigeria’s direction in the years ahead.
