Candidates Unveil Agendas as Parties Warn Against Violence, Hate Speech and Intimidation
Governorship candidates and political parties across Nigeria have begun campaigns for the 2027 elections, unveiling programmes focused on security, agriculture, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and economic development.
The campaign period formally commenced on Wednesday, September 9, with candidates in different states presenting policy agendas while political parties and security agencies called for peaceful and issue-based contests.
In the North-West, the seven African Democratic Congress governorship candidates signed a regional compact pledging a ₦110,000 minimum wage, 21 specialist hospitals and coordinated measures to tackle insecurity, education and economic challenges.
The compact, signed in Abuja, also covers agriculture, infrastructure and regional economic cooperation. The candidates pledged coordinated security operations, technology-driven surveillance, protected farming corridors, improved irrigation, a regional grain reserve and stronger agro-processing.
They also promised an education emergency programme, greater integration of Almajiri and Tsangaya children into formal education, improved girls’ school attendance and stronger teacher recruitment and training.
In Adamawa, APC candidate Tijani Galadima centred his campaign on agriculture and security, promising processing factories to help farmers earn more from their produce and measures to enable farmers return safely to their farms.
In Kaduna, the APC promised an issue-based campaign focused on the record of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, citing education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among its priorities.
In Abia, PDP candidate Kelechi Anosike unveiled a 10-point manifesto tagged “People First, Abia Always”, with proposals covering agriculture, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, security, infrastructure and youth empowerment.
Anosike promised a ₦90,000 minimum wage, payment of outstanding allowances and pension arrears, support for farmers, interest-free loans for traders and artisans, free maternal healthcare and a state health insurance scheme.
In Ogun, PDP candidate Oladipupo Adebutu launched his ITURA DE agenda, promising improved security, local government autonomy, workers’ welfare, agricultural development, industrialisation and better social services.
Adebutu also pledged to secure farms, highways and communities, provide financing for farmers and review multiple taxation affecting traders and small businesses.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency warned political parties and candidates against pasting campaign posters on buildings, walls, bridges, electricity poles, roads and other unauthorised locations. Violators face fines of up to ₦50 million.
In Kwara, a dispute has erupted between the PDP and the state government over the removal of campaign billboards belonging to PDP governorship candidate Suleiman Bolakale Kawu. The government said the billboards lacked regulatory approval and posed safety risks, while Kawu accused the administration of suppressing opposition activities.
Security agencies have also stepped up warnings against electoral violence. In Sokoto, Commissioner of Police Hayatu Shafa urged politicians to reject hate speech, fake news, character assassination and violence, stressing that the election should be a contest of ideas.
Kano State authorities similarly urged candidates to campaign on policies and records while warning against provocation and inflammatory statements.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, also cautioned political actors against allowing the 2027 contest to degenerate into intimidation and violence.
With campaigns now underway, security, jobs, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and citizens’ welfare are emerging as major themes, while early disputes over campaign materials and repeated calls for peaceful elections highlight the challenges ahead.