The August 19, 2026 date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly Elections has passed. Once again, Nigeria has entered another election season, bringing with it the familiar sights and sounds of rallies, endorsements, defections, slogans, promises and political fireworks. But Nigerians must demand more than spectacle. The 2027 campaign should be a campaign of ideas, policies, programmes and measurable commitments. The country can no longer afford elections driven principally by personalities, ethnicity, religion, money, propaganda and emotional mobilisation. Candidates should invest more time, energy and resources persuading the electorate about their own eligibility rather than attacking opponents.
Nigerians deserve a serious political conversation about how to address the country’s deep-rooted economic, security and institutional challenges. The high cost of living continues to squeeze households. Insecurity threatens lives, livelihoods and investments. Unemployment remains widespread, while deficiencies in electricity, infrastructure, healthcare, education and public institutions constrain development. The campaign period provides candidates with an opportunity to tell Nigerians, clearly and practically, how they intend to tackle these problems. At the signing of the 2027 National Peace Accord, political actors were rightly urged to shun hate speech, misinformation, personal attacks and character assassination, and compete instead on ideas, policies and programmes. Candidates must therefore explain how they intend to reduce inflation, create productive jobs rather than political appointments, strengthen the naira, attract investment, improve the business environment, expand electricity, and confront insecurity through a more effective security architecture.
