Issue based campaign as criteria for electing president

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. It is important that Nigerians should focus more on issue-based assessment of the candidates rather than the traditional identity-based politics. The three leading presidential candidates have each provided his policy framework for a better Nigeria. What is left is for the electorate to assess and make their choices.

 The incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come up with “Renewed Hope Agenda”, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’ policy framework is “Rescue, Revive and Restore,” and Peter Obi’s framework is built on the “Reset Nigeria” philosophy.

President Tinubu’s administration has centred its governance on eight strategic priorities, focusing on economic reform, national security, and human capital. By October 2026, the administration has pointed to World Bank data showing a stabilisation of the poverty rate and a GDP growth of 4.2 per cent as evidence that its reforms are working. However, the government acknowledges that the primary challenge remains translating these macro-economic gains into lower food prices and improved living standards for the average household.

The Renewed Hope Agenda should therefore be assessed not only through headline economic indicators but also through their effects on household welfare. Voters will want to know whether reforms have lowered the cost of food, improve employment opportunities and strengthen public services. The case for continuity rests on the argument that reforms need time to deliver their full benefits; however, the administration must also demonstrate measurable progress in security, purchasing power and opportunities for young Nigerians.

Atiku Abubakar’s vision, as articulated in his ‘Rescue, Revive and Restore’ agenda which emphasises the framework’s position for direct intervention into Nigeria’s contemporary economic pressures, placing emphasis on immediate cost-of-living relief, decentralised governance, production-led growth, and deep electoral reforms.

This was unveiled in his 12-point policy commitments for the 2027 presidential election, outlining his plans to rescue, revive and restore Nigeria. Though, some of the members of Atiku’s camp, led by Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, disowned the circulated document. However, the proposals in the document reflect many of the same issues Atiku has historically championed such as subsidy restoration, NELFUND review, restructuring and devolution, youth and women empowerment and infrastructural development.

Voters should examine how quickly ‘Rescue, Revive and Restore’ could ease economic hardship and how its institutional reforms would be implemented. Cost-of-living relief must be considered alongside production-led growth and infrastructural development. Decentralisation and devolution also raise questions about the distribution of responsibilities, resources and accountability. Given the reported disavowal of the document by some members of Atiku’s camp, clarity about the status and ownership of the 12-point commitments is important to evaluating the proposal.

Peter Obi’s “Reset Nigeria” agenda presents a radical shift in economic philosophy, advocating for a transition from a consumption-based economy to one centered on production. His framework emphasises agricultural productivity, regional economic specialisation, and a massive investment in human capital, specifically focusing on the youth bulge. Obi challenges candidates to stand on their own records and visions, emphasising personal accountability and a “different standard of governance” that prioritises results over reactive reforms.

The “Reset Nigeria” can be tested by asking how a production-centred economy would work in practice. Improved agricultural productivity could support food supply and rural livelihoods, while regional specialisation could encourage communities to develop sectors in which they have advantages. Investment in young people’s education, skills and human capital would be necessary to translate the youth bulge into a demographic dividend. The key question is whether this approach can generate jobs and improve living standards, rather than remain an aspiration.

The 2027 Nigerian general election marks a critical juncture in the nation’s democratic evolution. For the first time in recent election cycles, the national conversation is increasingly dominated by a rigorous evaluation of policy frameworks rather than purely identity interests. This shift is driven by the stark realities of Nigeria’s current socioeconomic landscape: an economy in transition, a persistent security crisis, and a youthful population demanding more from its leadership.

The transition toward issue-based campaigning is not merely a political trend; it is an existential necessity. As the electorate faces grave uncertainty in a rapidly changing world, the ability of candidates to articulate clear, actionable plans becomes the primary metric for selection. Campaign slogans alone cannot establish which candidate’s programme is most credible. Candidates should explain implementation timelines, required resources, institutional responsibilities and measurable outcomes. Voters can then compare Tinubu’s continuity and reform, Atiku’s recovery and restructuring, and Obi’s production-led transformation against common standards. This would move debate beyond party loyalty towards the likely consequences of each choice for security, livelihoods and national development.

The 2027 general election offers Nigerian voters a choice between three distinct visions for the future. However, the success of an issue-based campaign in 2027 will depend on more than just the quality of these plans. It will depend on the ability of the candidates to address the profound fears of violence and the low levels of institutional trust among the electorate. With 71 per cent of Nigerians rating the economy as poor, the primary challenge for the next president will be to bridge the gap between policy visions and the daily survival of the people.

Dr Mohammed is Editor-at-Large, Media Trust