2027: Show Us How You’ll Fix Nigeria, Voters Tell Tinubu, Atiku, Obi

Demand plans on insecurity, jobs, poverty, economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure

BY ABU NMODU, FELIX IGBEKOYI, IBRAHIM OBANSA, ABDULLAHI OLESIN, BABAJI USMAN BABAJI, ALO ABIOLA, DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI, EMMANUEL MGBEAHURIKE, NNAMDI MBAWIKE, RICHARD NDOMA, OKEM GREEN MBAH and LONGTONG YAKUBU

With campaigns for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, voters across the country have sent a common message to presidential candidates: tell Nigerians, in practical terms, how you intend to fix the country.

They want President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and other candidates to move beyond rallies, slogans, endorsements, and attacks on opponents, and to present clear, measurable solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

In interviews across Niger, Kogi, Gombe, Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Kano and Delta states, voters and stakeholders identified insecurity, unemployment, poverty, the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity and corruption as issues that should dominate the campaigns.

Create jobs, not empowerment handouts

In Niger State, Dr Abdullahi Jabi of the Campaign for Democracy and Good Governance said candidates should campaign on good governance and the welfare and security of citizens.

He said poverty alleviation, security, infrastructure, unemployment, healthcare and education should take centre stage.

“It is not enough that students are enjoying the loan fund; we should also make them employable. They should secure employment after acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills from school. How to do that should form part of the campaign issues, not sentimental issues,” he said.

Mubarak Mohammad, a member of the Agglomeration of Civil Society Organisations in Niger State, said voters were tired of campaign rallies that produced little change in their lives.

“We are tired of the jamboree of campaign rallies where people gather to listen to issues that do not change their lives. Now we want to hear how you can solve problems of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure, education and decaying health facilities,” he said.

Another voter, Abdulsalam Abdul, said he wanted candidates to move beyond vague promises.

Fix roads, water, schools, healthcare

In Kogi State, residents said the next administration must prioritise security, potable water, sanitation, affordable transportation, good roads and healthcare.

Chairman of the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), Hamza Aliyu, said politicians must look beyond rallies, slogans, attacks and handouts to address structural problems.

He listed insecurity, poor roads, flooding, inadequate healthcare personnel, insufficient water supply, mental health concerns and weak accountability among issues requiring urgent attention.

A voter in Lokoja, Danladi Zakari, urged political leaders to be honest about existing gaps and focus on practical solutions, while Shehu Usman called for stronger community-based early-warning systems and improved protection for schools.

Tell us how many jobs you will create — and when

In Gombe State, voters identified youth unemployment, poor access to quality education and water scarcity as major campaign issues.

Aliyu Sale Maisallaya, a graduate in Gombe metropolis, said many young people with university qualifications remained unemployed or without sustainable businesses.

“Political parties should tell us how they will create jobs. We don’t need another promise of empowerment without a clear plan for what happens after the training or the money given to beneficiaries,” he said.

Political commentator Musab Sunusi urged voters to demand specific, measurable commitments, including explanations of how the promises would be funded.

End insecurity and make education affordable

In Ekiti State, voters demanded lasting solutions to insecurity and economic hardship, as well as improvements in education and healthcare.

Civil servant Owolabi Ojo said tackling banditry, kidnapping and terrorism should be a priority for serious political parties.

Retired teacher Adeolu Ajayi also urged candidates to focus on security and the economy.

University graduate Olajide Akindele commended the student loan initiative but expressed concern over rising tuition fees, particularly in state-owned tertiary institutions, saying many parents still struggle to pay school fees.

Revive the economy

In Kwara State, Professor Hassan Saliu of the University of Ilorin said the economy remained Nigeria’s most pressing concern.

“As all Nigerians know, the most pressing issue in the country is the economy and its volatility. What are they going to do about the policy to remove oil subsidies, which was a major trigger of hardship across the country?” he asked.

Saliu said current intervention programmes had not adequately cushioned the effects of poverty and urged presidential candidates to explain how they would tackle insecurity and guarantee Nigerians’ safety.

Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair said campaigns must focus on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy.

Tunde Salman, team lead of the Good Governance Team Nigeria, similarly urged candidates to present practical solutions instead of engaging in personal attacks.

Political promises no longer enough

In Ondo State, fashion designer Samuel Onigiobi said the harsh economic situation had severely affected his business.

“As a tailor, people hardly sew clothes now because they can hardly feed themselves. It is someone who has eaten who will sew clothes,” he said.

Another voter, Idowu Isaiah, an HND holder in Accounting, said unemployment remained his biggest concern. He said he had resorted to bricklaying because he could not secure employment commensurate with his qualifications.

Political analyst Bolu-Olu Esho urged parties to use the campaign period to explain how they would address Nigeria’s economic, security and social challenges.

Stop campaigns of calumny, show workable solutions

In Imo State, Prince John Okoronta, a voter and political analyst, urged political parties to avoid campaigns of calumny and focus on sustainable solutions to insecurity and unemployment.

Dr Fidel Onyeneke, a stakeholder, challenged political parties to replace empty promises with realistic measures to tackle poverty, improve socio-economic conditions and consolidate infrastructure.

Demonstrate superior ideas, not attacks

In Enugu State, political analysts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders called for issue-based campaigns.

Barrister John Nwobodo, a former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Enugu, said: “We want a campaign that will tell us how to tackle insecurity and other challenges.”

Mr Nzekwe Ogbonnia of the Advocate for Good Governance also called for campaigns devoid of verbal attacks.

Political analyst Mrs Amarachi Moneme said those seeking to replace incumbents should present superior ideas rather than attack their opponents.

A potential voter, Obinna Jideiofor, urged political parties to address challenges that directly affect residents.

Stop sharing rice; create real opportunities

In Cross River State, voters said party colours and slogans no longer influenced their choices, stressing that survival was their immediate concern.

Chief Collins Ayok, chief executive officer of Andrewnicus, a civil society organisation, urged parties to focus on poverty and economic development.

He said candidates should explain how they would build a productive economy through feeder roads, irrigation, electricity for small businesses, tourism development and local government financial autonomy.

Agbor Ogar, a farmer and voter, said voters wanted opportunities rather than handouts.

“Politicians like Tinubu, Atiku and Obi should tell us the package they have for us if given the mandate, rather than share a packet of Maggi cubes and cups of rice with the electorate. We are tired of collecting Maggi cubes and cups of rice,” he said.

Ogar also challenged candidates to address poor healthcare delivery, citing reports of surgeries being performed using phone flashlights in some general hospitals.

In the Ogbagantee community, trader Joe Neji said education must feature prominently in the campaigns, urging candidates to address leaking school roofs, overcrowded classrooms, broken furniture, informal fees and teacher shortages.

Political analyst Nkim Ojua called for plans to improve rural roads, infrastructure and electricity, while youth stakeholder Effiom John demanded practical measures to reduce unemployment.

Retired police officer and voter, Monday Ekeng, urged candidates to explain whether they would adopt community policing to tackle insecurity, stressing that job creation should also be treated as a security strategy.

Another voter, Samuel Ogar, called for greater transparency in local government finances and challenged candidates to explain how council allocations would be spent.

We need flood control, jobs, emergency healthcare

In Bayelsa State, residents identified unemployment, flooding, insecurity, poor healthcare and education, and the high cost of living as major campaign issues.

Mrs Ebiere Douglas, a fish seller at Swali Market, said flooding was among the biggest threats facing families.

Chief Preye Amabra, a community leader in Gbarain/Ekpetiama, urged parties to explain their plans for drainage, flood control, shoreline protection, and communities repeatedly displaced by floods.

Political scientist Tonye Ogoli said promises of job creation must be measurable.

“Parties keep saying ‘we will create jobs’ without saying how many, in which sector, and by when?” he asked, urging voters to demand numbers, timelines and specific industries.

Brenda Izu, a former project coordinator at Goldcoast Developmental Foundation, said insecurity along waterways should be tackled through both security and economic measures, including job creation and youth inclusion.

Mrs Alaere Fenibo, a resident of a Southern Ijaw riverine community, called for better access to emergency medical care.

Political analyst Dr Godspower Angaye urged parties to hold town hall meetings and public debates where candidates would answer questions directly from voters.

Debate us on the cost of living, jobs and security

In Kano State, public servant Yakubu Dalhatu urged political parties to present clear, realistic and measurable policies on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, education, healthcare and the rising cost of living.

He advocated compulsory public debates for political aspirants.

Housewife Sarah Paul identified the cost of living, unemployment and insecurity as major concerns, while civil servant Salejo Ali listed infrastructure, economic recovery, agriculture, job creation, youth skills and industrial revival as priorities.

We need leaders with proven records of delivery

In Delta State, youths, elders and other stakeholders demanded leaders capable of addressing insecurity, poor roads, youth unemployment, unreliable electricity, poor healthcare and inadequate educational facilities.

Ovie Omo-Agege, National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate, said governments should be judged by what they deliver in infrastructure, community development, economic initiatives and youth-focused programmes.

Teddy-Jackson Ngwokor said voters wanted leaders with proven records of community service, youth mentoring and support for small businesses.

Political analyst and activist Comrade Igbini Odafe said many politicians were desperate for power but stressed that he would continue to scrutinise and analyse their manifestos.

The voters’ message

Across the states, voters’ demands were remarkably consistent: they want less rhetoric, more solutions; fewer rallies, more debates; fewer handouts, more jobs; and promises backed by clear targets, timelines and funding plans.

With 2027 approaching, they want presidential candidates to explain not just what they intend to do, but how, when and with what resources they will do it.