Nigerian political parties and governorship candidates have publicly intensified their campaigns in anticipation of the 2027 elections, presenting policy proposals centered on economic development, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.On Wednesday, September 9, the gubernatorial and State House of Assembly campaign period officially began. Candidates from several states presented their platforms, while political figures and security officials urged parties to maintain a calm and issue-based debate.Seven African Democratic Congress candidates for governor in the Northwest signed a regional agreement pledging a minimum wage of N110,000, 21 specialized hospitals, and coordinated efforts on economic growth, education, agriculture, and insecurity.
At the Yar’Adua Center in Abuja, the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031 was signed.According to Abubakar Malami, SAN, a former Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Justice, and Kebbi ADC governorship candidate, who read the communiqué, the candidates would continue to be accountable for their individual states while cooperating on issues that transcend state lines.The statement read, “We commit to govern together to resolve our people’s problems where they cross our borders.”Coordinated security operations, intelligence sharing, international trade, and cooperative infrastructure projects are all made possible by the compact.
Additionally, the candidates suggested drone deployment and a Northwest Regional Security Coordination Center as part of technology-driven monitoring and rapid-response systems throughout the region’s 21 senatorial districts.Protected farmland corridors, formalized livestock production, agro-processing, a regional grain reserve, and irrigation infrastructure restoration are all part of their agricultural plan.They also promised to strengthen teacher recruitment and training, integrate Almajiri and Tsangaya children into formal education, increase access to financing from the Universal Basic Education Commission, declare an emergency on education, and improve girls’ school attendance.In terms of healthcare, the contenders pledged to build one specialty hospital in each of the 21 senatorial districts in the area, revitalize primary healthcare facilities, and increase midwifery, telemedicine, and community health insurance.
The regional priority also included border infrastructure, roads, rail, energy, water, digital connectivity, and logistics facilities.According to Malami, the agreement was created to guaranty that public funds result in noticeable enhancements to the lives of individuals.He declared, “We commit to reform with responsibility, relief with accountability, and growth our citizens can feel.”Malami, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu of Jigawa, Manir Mohammad Dan’iya of Sokoto, and Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi of Zamfara were among those who signed. Deputies from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano represented the candidates.Tijani Galadima, the APC candidate for governor of Adamawa, presented a platform focused on agriculture and security, pledging to build processing plants that would increase farmers’ profits from their produce.
Speaking at a news conference in Yola, Galadima claimed that more funding for agriculture will boost income, provide employment, and promote industrial growth.”Far less is being paid to our farmers for the goods they produce. The people that profit from the labor of our farmers are those who process their agricultural products, he stated.He stated that one of the biggest obstacles to farming is insecurity, and he pledged to take steps to enable farmers to return to their fields in safety.Galadima advised candidates to refrain from making personal attacks and stated that he would build on what he called the foundation established by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.”Instead of calling out other competitors, we should concentrate on what we can do for the state,” he stated.
Kaduna APC Promises Issue-Based Campaign
In Kaduna, the APC commenced its governorship and State House of Assembly campaign, promising to focus on the record of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mohamed Sani Haruna, said the campaign would cover the state’s 23 local government areas and would be conducted without insults or personal attacks.
“We intend to conduct our campaign without acrimony, without insult,” Haruna said.
He cited education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among areas where he said the Sani administration had recorded progress, including a reported reduction in tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions and the restoration of scholarship programmes.
Haruna also pointed to upgrades in general hospitals and investment in sports infrastructure.
On insecurity, however, he acknowledged that the problem had not been completely eliminated.
“We do not claim that the insecurity issue has been totally eradicated. But we have a government that is committed to eradicating it,” he said.
In Abia, PDP governorship candidate Kelechi Anosike launched a 10-point manifesto tagged “People First, Abia Always”, with a strong emphasis on welfare-oriented governance.
Anosike said his agenda covers agriculture, economic development, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, rural development, youth and women empowerment, housing, justice, security and infrastructure.
Under his proposed “Operation Feed Abia”, he promised mechanised farming, stronger extension services and greater support for farmers, including the provision of tractors through local governments.
He also proposed a Traders Microfinance Bank in Aba to provide interest-free revolving loans ranging from N500,000 to N2m to traders and artisans operating through registered cooperatives.
Anosike promised to establish three industries annually and provide entrepreneurship grants.
In healthcare, he proposed a state health insurance scheme under which government would cover 60 per cent of medical costs, alongside upgraded primary healthcare centres, functional laboratories across the 17 local government areas and free maternal healthcare.
For education, he proposed the “No Abia Student Left Behind” programme, scholarships, entrepreneurship grants for graduates and improved teachers’ welfare.
“Never again will anyone graduate with only a degree. You come out with a degree and with a skill,” he said.
He also pledged a N90,000 minimum wage and promised to clear outstanding allowances, gratuities and pension arrears within 100 days of taking office.
Anosike further promised to recall 15,000 workers he said were prematurely sacked, while proposing rural development initiatives, a labour and global opportunities agency, new housing layouts, judicial autonomy and four major infrastructure projects in his first year.
“We will build roads, but we will build lives first,” he said.
In Ogun, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu launched his campaign on the ITURA DE agenda, which focuses on security, local government autonomy, workers’ welfare and economic reforms.
Adebutu unveiled the blueprint at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, saying it was designed to address poverty, unemployment, insecurity and what he described as poor governance.
The agenda covers seven broad areas: security and law and order; local government financial autonomy and workers’ welfare; urban development and transportation; rural and border communities; agriculture and industrial development; women, youth and sports; and education, healthcare and social services.
Adebutu promised to secure farms, highways and communities and protect citizens’ freedom to participate in political activities without intimidation.
“We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway, and neighbourhood from lawlessness,” he said.
He also pledged to restore financial and administrative autonomy to local governments, pay outstanding pensions and gratuities, review the Contributory Pension Scheme and use public-private partnerships to finance major infrastructure.
On agriculture, he promised zero-interest loans and single-digit financing for farmers, while proposing vocational training for youths and a review of multiple taxation affecting traders and small businesses.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency reiterated its ban on the pasting and display of campaign posters, warning that violators could face fines of up to N50m.
The agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, said the restriction covered posters bearing the names, photographs, logos, slogans and messages of political parties, candidates and aspirants.
According to the agency, the ban is backed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016 and applies to buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, roads and public facilities.
The agency urged political parties and candidates to use broadcast, print and digital platforms, as well as approved billboards.
“The ban remains in force. All are hereby advised to comply accordingly,” it said.
In Kwara, the PDP and the state government traded accusations over the removal of campaign billboards belonging to PDP governorship candidate Suleiman Bolakale Kawu in Ilorin.
The latest dispute followed the removal of a billboard at Adabata Junction.
The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency said the structure lacked regulatory approval and posed safety concerns, alleging that part of the public road had been excavated during its installation.
The agency also raised concerns about another billboard allegedly mounted on a government-owned water tank.
“Outdoor advertising regulation is not about political parties, candidates or personalities. The same standards apply to everyone,” KWASAA said.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, said the Adabata billboard was removed following complaints from residents and because it allegedly obstructed motorists’ visibility.
Kawu accused the administration of suppressing opposition activities.
“If politically motivated, this is an abuse of administrative power and a disturbing display of intolerance towards legitimate political competition,” he said.
The Kwara PDP also alleged that another Kawu billboard was removed at Agaka in Ilorin but did not provide evidence that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq personally ordered the action.
In Sokoto, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shafa, warned political parties and supporters against violence, hate speech, fake news and other acts capable of undermining the 2027 elections.
At a meeting with political party leaders and representatives, Shafa urged politicians to make the election a contest of ideas and cooperate with security agencies.
“We must move from the politics of insult to politics of issues. There is no room for hate speech, fake news or character assassination,” he said.
He warned party leaders that they could be held responsible for the conduct of their supporters and cautioned against the destruction of campaign materials, display of weapons and use of private security outfits at rallies.
“The Nigerian Police Force will enforce the Electoral Act 2022 without fear or favour. If you break the law, you will face the consequences,” he said.
Shafa also urged politicians to avoid exposing voters to danger in banditry-affected areas.
“Protect the voters, do not endanger them,” he said.
The Kano State Government similarly urged candidates to pursue peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said candidates should compete on policies, programmes and records.
“The people of Kano deserve a campaign where candidates explain what they intend to do differently and how they will improve the lives of citizens,” he said.
He also urged the media, bloggers and social media users to verify information and avoid spreading fake news and inflammatory content.
“Kano is bigger than any political party or individual. Political competition will come and go, but we will continue to live together as one people after the election,” he said.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, also warned political actors against allowing the 2027 contest to degenerate into intimidation and violence.
In a statement titled “There Are Minimum Requirements: Nigeria Must Not Descend,” Ubani said the political temperature was rising and warned against normalising developments that could undermine democratic competition.
He recalled episodes of political violence in Nigeria’s history, including Operation Wetie during the First Republic and violence associated with the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections.
Ubani said candidates should challenge one another based on their records and policies rather than intimidation.
“An election is not a war, and a political opponent is not an enemy of the State,” he said.
He urged political parties and candidates to make the 2027 campaigns about policies, programmes and performance.
“Your political mobilisation is to persuade, and not to terrorise,” he said.
Ubani called on INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders and citizens to work towards peaceful and credible elections.
“Please let us not destroy the country in our desperate quest to govern it,” he said.
