Agenda for Nigeria’s 2027 Presidential Election: A Call for Tolerance, Accountability, and Prosperity
BY Rev. David Ugolor,
As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 presidential election, there is an urgent need to redefine the political narrative and set a new agenda that speaks directly to the hopes of millions suffering under the weight of poverty, corruption, insecurity, and poor governance. What Nigeria needs now is not just another electoral cycle; it needs a political reset. The toxic politics that have defined our national discourse for far too long must give way to a new culture grounded in tolerance, accountability, and a shared commitment to national development.
Moving Beyond Toxic Politics
For decades, political discourse in Nigeria has been reduced to name-calling, ethnic dog-whistles, and dangerous generalisations. Instead of engaging on substantive policy issues, parties and their surrogates often rely on personal attacks, propaganda, and the weaponisation of corruption allegations to delegitimise opponents. While corruption must be tackled head-on, it must be done through legal and institutional mechanisms, not as a tool for political vendettas or to distract from one’s own failures in governance.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), as the ruling party, and the new opposition formations must both take responsibility for the tone of national politics. If both sides continue to prioritise winning elections over building the nation, Nigeria will remain trapped in cycles of economic hardship, ethnic division, and public distrust.
The Real Enemies: Poverty and Corruption
The problems Nigeria faces are not abstract; they are deeply human. Over 60% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Young people, despite their potential, are locked out of opportunity due to unemployment and a broken education system. Infrastructure remains underdeveloped. The healthcare system is overstretched and underfunded. These are the real issues that must dominate the 2027 agenda.
Corruption continues to bleed the nation’s resources, but addressing it requires consistent institutional reform, not political theatrics. Both the ruling party and opposition must agree to support and strengthen anti-corruption agencies, protect whistleblowers, and ensure the judiciary remains independent and well-resourced.
A Call for a National Minimum Standard
As Nigeria prepares for the next election, all political actors should commit to a National Minimum Standard—a non-partisan, citizen-centred compact that all major parties pledge to uphold. This should include:
- Commitment to Economic Reform: Address inflation, attract investment, and build jobs through deliberate support for SMEs, agriculture, and digital innovation.
- Anti-Corruption Beyond Rhetoric: Implement measurable and transparent reforms to curb public sector corruption, including mandatory asset declarations and procurement transparency.
- Electoral Integrity and Democratic Norms: Respect the rule of law, allow independent media and civil society to thrive, and ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
- National Unity and Inclusion: Avoid divisive rhetoric. Promote policies that are inclusive of all ethnicities, religions, and regions.
- Citizen Accountability: Build open government platforms where citizens can directly hold their leaders accountable through feedback, petitions, and public performance metrics.
Time for a New Political Culture
Nigeria does not lack ideas or resources—it lacks the political will and the cultural maturity to prioritise the collective good over personal or party gain. What the country needs in 2027 is not just a new president; it needs a new political culture. One where debates are centred on data and solutions, not insults and distractions. One where political opponents are respected, not demonised. One where leaders serve the people, not themselves.
Tolerance, accountability, and competence must become the new currency of Nigerian politics. We must reject the culture of “winner-takes-all” and embrace a system where the opposition is not silenced, but seen as a vital part of the democratic process.
The 2027 presidential election should not be about personalities or propaganda—it must be about Nigeria’s future. The stakes are too high, and the consequences of inaction too severe. For Nigeria to rise, its politics must evolve. The time to start building that future is now.
Let the 2027 election be a turning point—where politics becomes a tool for development, not division.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)