As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, political activities are gathering momentum across the country. Politicians are forming alliances, holding meetings, changing political parties and preparing for another contest for power. Unfortunately, much of the political conversation appears to be centred on personal disagreements, accusations, allegations and the struggle for political advantage rather than the serious issues affecting the lives of Nigerians.
This is not the kind of politics Nigeria needs at this critical stage of its development.
The country faces enormous challenges that require clear thinking, practical solutions and responsible leadership. The economy needs further strengthening, businesses need a more favourable environment, and millions of Nigerians want better opportunities to improve their living conditions. These are the issues that should dominate political campaigns, not endless quarrels among politicians.
We believe that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for all political parties and their candidates to explain their plans for Nigeria. Those seeking public office must tell Nigerians what they intend to do, how they will do it and how their programmes will improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
Political campaigns should not be reduced to attacking personalities or making accusations that have little bearing on national development. Nigerians deserve something better. The real contest should be about ideas, performance, competence and the ability to deliver development.
Incumbent officeholders seeking re-election have a responsibility to give an account of their stewardship. The President, governors, lawmakers and other elected officials must explain what they have achieved during their time in office. They should identify the promises they have fulfilled, the projects they have completed, the reforms they have introduced and the areas where they have fallen short.
They should also explain what they intend to do differently if given another mandate.
Governance is a continuous process, and no administration can solve every national problem within four years. However, citizens have a right to know whether the country, their states and their communities have made measurable progress under those entrusted with public office.
The opposition parties have an equally important responsibility. Their duty is not simply to condemn everything the government does. They must present credible alternatives that Nigerians can examine and compare with the policies of those already in office.
Opposition politics is an important part of democracy. It helps to hold governments accountable, exposes weaknesses in public policies and provides citizens with alternative choices. But opposition loses much of its value when it becomes a daily exercise in personal attacks without serious proposals for doing things differently.
There is nothing wrong with criticising government policies. Indeed, constructive criticism is necessary for good governance. What Nigerians should reject is criticism that offers no useful direction or solution.
At the same time, incumbents must not dismiss every criticism as an attempt to undermine their achievements. They must be prepared to defend their records with facts and respond to legitimate concerns.
Democracy works better when both the government and the opposition are prepared to debate issues rather than exchange insults.
One area that deserves particular attention is the economy. Nigeria has enormous human and natural resources, yet many citizens continue to struggle with the cost of living, unemployment and inadequate public services. Political parties must explain how they intend to expand economic opportunities, support local industries, attract investment and make the country more productive.
The World Bank, in its October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, reported that the economy grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026. It also acknowledged that much more needs to be done to create jobs, reduce poverty and improve living standards.
These developments should provide useful material for serious political debate. Those in government should explain how the progress recorded can be sustained and translated into better living conditions. Those seeking to replace them should present alternative economic programmes and explain why their proposals would produce better results.
It is not enough to promise cheaper food, lower fuel prices, a stronger naira or more employment opportunities. Candidates must explain the policies, resources and practical steps required to achieve these objectives.
Nigerians should also demand clear plans for agriculture and food security. A country blessed with vast agricultural land should be able to produce more of the food its people consume. Political parties must explain how they intend to support farmers, improve rural roads, tackle insecurity in farming communities and reduce the waste of agricultural produce.
Electricity is another important issue. Reliable power supply is essential for industrial growth, business expansion and employment creation. Candidates should explain how they intend to improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution. They should also state how their programmes will help small businesses that spend substantial amounts on alternative sources of power.
The same attention must be given to education, healthcare, transportation and security. These are basic responsibilities of government and should not be treated as matters for political slogans.
There is also the important question of public revenue and accountability. As government revenues increase, Nigerians have a right to demand better services and visible development.
The World Bank has drawn attention to the need for state governments to make more effective use of increased public resources, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other essential services.
Governors seeking re-election, therefore, must explain how they have used the resources available to their states. The same standard should apply to local government authorities and lawmakers. Public office must be about service, not merely the possession of political power.
We also expect political parties to make better use of campaign grounds, town hall meetings, stakeholder engagements and public debates. These gatherings should provide opportunities for candidates to explain their development programmes and answer questions from the electorate.
A candidate addressing traders should explain plans for improving commerce and reducing the cost of doing business. A candidate meeting farmers should discuss agricultural development. Those engaging young people should present realistic plans for education, skills acquisition and employment. Meetings with business leaders should focus on investment, infrastructure and economic growth.
This is how political campaigns can become meaningful to ordinary Nigerians.
We are particularly concerned about the growing tendency to turn political differences into personal hostility. Nigeria cannot afford campaigns that deepen ethnic, religious or regional divisions. Political leaders must understand that the country will remain after the elections, regardless of who wins or loses.
The peaceful coexistence of Nigerians is more important than the ambition of any politician. Political parties and their supporters must therefore avoid statements and activities capable of creating unnecessary tension.
The media also have a responsibility in this regard. Newspapers, television stations, radio organisations and online platforms should devote more attention to examining campaign promises, questioning candidates and checking the claims made by political parties.
The media should not become mere platforms for exchanging political insults. They must help Nigerians understand the issues at stake and the possible consequences of the policies being proposed.
As the elections approach, attention must also be given to the integrity of the electoral process. The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
All political parties must respect the electoral rules and contribute to an atmosphere that allows Nigerians to make their choices freely and peacefully. Vote-buying, intimidation, violence and the spread of false information have no place in a credible democratic process.
Above all, Nigerians must become more demanding of those seeking their votes. The electorate should no longer be satisfied with promises that are neither explained nor supported by realistic plans.
Candidates must be asked difficult but necessary questions. What exactly will they achieve in four years? How will they finance their programmes? What will they do to strengthen the economy? How will they improve security, create employment and provide essential services? What measurable targets will they set for themselves?
These are the questions that should define the 2027 campaigns.
Nigeria has spent too much time discussing who should occupy political offices and too little time examining what those seeking office intend to accomplish. The country must begin to place greater value on policies, performance and the capacity to deliver results.
We must also recognise that development is a continuous process. Every administration should be prepared to build on useful achievements inherited from its predecessors while correcting policies that have failed to deliver the desired results. National development should not begin afresh whenever political power changes hands.
It is equally wrong to dismiss genuine achievements simply because they were recorded by a political opponent. Good policies and successful projects should be acknowledged on their merits, just as poor decisions and unfulfilled promises must be subjected to proper scrutiny.
The task before Nigeria is greater than the political ambition of any individual or party. It is about building a productive economy, strengthening national institutions, improving the welfare of citizens and creating a country that can compete favourably with other nations.
The 2027 general elections must therefore be a contest of development programmes, not a festival of accusations and personal attacks.
Those seeking another mandate must defend their records and explain what they will do better. Those aspiring to replace them must present credible alternatives. Both sides must demonstrate that they understand the challenges facing the country and possess workable plans for addressing them.
Nigerians deserve political campaigns that inspire confidence in the future rather than deepen bitterness and division.
When politicians mount the campaign podium, the question should no longer be how loudly they can condemn their opponents, but how convincingly they can explain their plans for the country.
Ultimately, elections should not be about who can make the most noise, trade the harshest insults or gather the largest crowds. They should be about who has presented clear programmes that citizens can examine, question and hold them accountable for implementing.
Nigeria needs builders, ideas and practical solutions. The 2027 campaigns should give Nigerians the opportunity to examine all three.
