Nigerians Demand Accountability in 2027 Political Campaigns

A report by Nextier Policy outlines expectations for the 2027 Nigerian political campaigns, emphasizing that candidates must focus on critical issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. Dr. Chukwuma Okoli, a lead researcher at Nextier and a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, along with Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, managing partner at Nextier, highlight that the upcoming elections will provide an opportunity for incumbents to seek re-election and be held accountable for their stewardship.

The report notes that the campaigns will unfold against a backdrop of worsening economic hardship, with Nigeria's GDP growth modestly rising to 2.74% in 2023 and 3.89% in the first quarter of 2026, failing to significantly improve living conditions. Key concerns identified in an online survey include insecurity (33% of respondents), youth unemployment (19%), and poverty reduction (15%).

Analysts warn that politicians may resort to divisive ethnic and religious rhetoric instead of addressing substantive governance issues, risking further insecurity and societal division.