Governorship candidates and political parties across the country have begun intensifying campaigns for the 2027 elections, unveiling policy agendas centred on security, agriculture, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and economic development.
From the North-West to the South-East and South-West, the candidates are seeking to frame the contests around competing programmes, while parties and political actors are also making early appeals for peaceful, issue-based campaigns.
The development follows the formal commencement of the governorship campaign period on Wednesday, September 9, setting the stage for a contest in which security, the economy, social services and the welfare of citizens are expected to feature prominently.
N’West ADC promises
The seven African Democratic Congress governorship candidates in the North-West have signed a regional compact pledging a N110,000 minimum wage, 21 specialist hospitals and coordinated measures to tackle insecurity, education and economic challenges.
The Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031, signed on Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, outlines a joint agenda covering security, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and regional economic cooperation.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Kebbi ADC governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, SAN, who read the communiqué, said the candidates would retain responsibility for their individual states while collaborating on challenges that cross state boundaries.
“Where our people’s problems cross our borders, we commit to govern together to resolve them,” the communiqué stated.
Under the pact, the candidates pledged to introduce a N110,000 minimum wage across the seven states, coordinate security operations, share data, promote cross-border trade and pursue joint infrastructure projects.
They also promised technology-driven surveillance and rapid-response networks across the region’s 21 senatorial districts, including drone deployment and a Northwest Regional Security Coordination Centre.
On agriculture, they proposed protected farming corridors, formalised livestock production, agro-processing, a regional grain reserve and irrigation rehabilitation.
The candidates also pledged to declare an emergency on education, expand access to Universal Basic Education Commission funding, integrate Almajiri and Tsangaya children into formal education, improve girls’ school attendance and strengthen teacher recruitment and training.
In healthcare, they promised to revitalise primary healthcare centres, expand midwifery, telemedicine and community health insurance, and establish one specialist hospital in each of the region’s 21 senatorial districts.
Regional infrastructure, including roads, rail, power, water, digital connectivity and border and logistics facilities, was also listed as a priority.
Malami said the compact was intended to ensure that public resources produced measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
“We commit to reform with responsibility, relief with accountability, and growth our citizens can feel,” he said.
Malami, Manir Mohammad Dan’iya of Sokoto, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu of Jigawa and Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi of Zamfara were among those who signed the compact. The Katsina, Kaduna and Kano candidates were represented by their deputies.
Adamawa APC
In Adamawa, APC governorship candidate Tijani Galadima unveiled an agenda built around agriculture and security, promising to establish processing factories to help farmers earn more from their produce.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Galadima said investment in agriculture would generate revenue, create jobs and support an industrial transformation of the state.
“Our farmers are getting far less for what they are producing. It is those that are processing their farm products that are benefiting from our farmers’ sweat,” he said.
He also identified insecurity as a major obstacle to agricultural production and promised to address it to enable farmers to return to their farms.
Galadima said he would build on what he described as the foundation laid by the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and urged candidates to avoid personal attacks.
“We should focus on what we can do for the state, instead of name-calling of other contestants,” he said.
Kaduna APC
The APC in Kaduna State has also commenced its governorship and State House of Assembly campaign, promising an issue-based contest focused largely on the record of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mohamed Sani Haruna, said the APC would campaign across the state’s 23 local government areas without insults or personal attacks and would also support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“We intend to conduct our campaign without acrimony, without insult,” Haruna said.
He cited education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among areas where he said the Sani administration had recorded progress, including a reported 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions and the reintroduction of scholarships.
He also cited the upgrading of general hospitals and investments in sports infrastructure.
On insecurity, however, Haruna acknowledged that the challenge had not been completely eliminated.
“We do not claim that the insecurity issue has been totally eradicated. But we have a government that is committed to eradicating it,” he said.
Abia PDP
In Abia, PDP governorship candidate Kelechi Anosike formally launched his campaign with a 10-point manifesto tagged “People First, Abia Always”, anchored on what he described as a welfarist approach to governance.
Speaking during a live programme hosted by FLO FM, Umuahia, Anosike said his priorities included agriculture, economic development, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, rural development, youth and women empowerment, housing, justice, security and infrastructure.
Under his proposed “Operation Feed Abia”, he promised mechanised farming, revived extension services and greater support for farmers, including tractors through local governments.
He also proposed a Traders Microfinance Bank, headquartered in Aba, to provide interest-free revolving loans of between N500,000 and N2 million to traders and artisans through registered cooperatives. He promised to establish three industries annually and provide entrepreneurship grants.
In healthcare, Anosike proposed a state health insurance scheme under which government would cover 60 per cent of medical costs, alongside upgraded primary healthcare centres, functional laboratories across the 17 local government areas and free maternal healthcare.
He promised a “No Abia Student Left Behind” policy, scholarships, entrepreneurship grants for graduates and improved teachers’ welfare.
“Never again will anyone graduate with only a degree. You come out with a degree and with a skill,” he said.
For workers, he pledged a N90,000 minimum wage and payment of outstanding allowances, gratuities and pension arrears within 100 days of assuming office. He also promised to recall 15,000 workers he said were prematurely sacked.
His other proposals included an Abia Rural Development Agency, a labour and global opportunities agency to prepare young people for remote employment, new housing layouts in Aba and Umuahia, judicial autonomy and four major infrastructure projects in his first year.
“We will build roads, but we will build lives first,” he said.
Anosike also criticised the current administration’s performance in several sectors, while crediting it with progress in road infrastructure.
Adebutu promises security
In Ogun, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu launched his campaign on the ITURA DE agenda, promising local government autonomy, improved security, workers’ welfare and economic reforms.
Adebutu unveiled the blueprint at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, describing it as a response to poverty, unemployment, insecurity and what he termed poor governance.
The agenda has seven priority areas: security and law and order; local government financial autonomy and workers’ welfare; urban development and transportation; rural and border communities; agriculture and industrial development; women, youth and sports; and education, healthcare and other social services.
Adebutu promised to secure farms, highways and communities and protect citizens’ freedom to participate in politics without intimidation.
“We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway, and neighbourhood from lawlessness,” he said.
He also pledged to restore financial and administrative autonomy to local governments, pay withheld pensions and gratuities, review the Contributory Pension Scheme and use public-private partnerships to finance major infrastructure.
On agriculture and the economy, he promised zero-interest loans and single-digit financing for farmers, vocational training for youths and a review of what he described as multiple taxation affecting traders and small businesses.
The campaign was also addressed by deputy governorship candidate ’Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo and PDP state chairman Abayomi Tella, who urged voters to support the ticket.
Enugu bans posters
As political campaigns intensify, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency has reiterated its ban on the pasting and display of campaign posters, warning violators of fines of up to N50 million.
In a statement, the agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, said the ban covered posters bearing the names, photographs, logos, slogans and messages of political parties, candidates and aspirants.
The restriction, which the agency said was backed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, applies to buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, roads, public facilities and other surfaces.
ENSSAA said the measure was intended to prevent defacement of public and private property and urged political parties and candidates to use broadcast, print and digital platforms as well as approved billboards.
It also warned printers against facilitating the unauthorised production or display of campaign posters.
“The ban remains in force. All are hereby advised to comply accordingly,” the agency said.
The warning comes ahead of the September 26, 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections.
Kwara blame game
In Kwara, the PDP and the state government have exchanged accusations over the removal of campaign billboards belonging to the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, in Ilorin.
The latest dispute followed the removal of a billboard at Adabata Junction, with the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency saying the structure lacked regulatory approval and posed safety risks.
In a statement by its Press Secretary, Ajiboye Rachael, KWASAA alleged that part of the public road had been excavated during the installation and that residents had complained about the obstruction.
The agency also raised concerns about another campaign billboard allegedly mounted on a government-owned water tank, insisting that its enforcement action was not politically motivated.
“Outdoor advertising regulation is not about political parties, candidates or personalities. The same standards apply to everyone,” KWASAA said.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, similarly said the Adabata billboard was removed following complaints from residents and because it allegedly obstructed motorists’ visibility.
Kawu, however, accused the state administration of suppressing opposition activities and urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to compete through policies and performance.
“If politically motivated, this is an abuse of administrative power and a disturbing display of intolerance towards legitimate political competition,” Kawu said.
The Kwara PDP also alleged that another billboard belonging to Kawu had been removed at Agaka, Ilorin, but did not provide evidence that the governor personally ordered the action.
The dispute is the latest in a series of disagreements over Kawu’s campaign materials, with the government and KWASAA maintaining that previous removals were regulatory rather than political.
‘Shun violence’
In Sokoto, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shafa, warned political parties and supporters against violence, hate speech, fake news and other conduct capable of undermining the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a meeting with political party leaders and representatives, Shafa urged politicians to treat the election as a contest of ideas and cooperate with security agencies.
“We must move from the politics of insult to politics of issues. There is no room for hate speech, fake news or character assassination,” he said.
The commissioner warned party leaders that they could be held responsible for the conduct of their supporters, including youth groups and social media influencers.
He also cautioned against the destruction of campaign materials, display of weapons and the use of private security outfits at rallies, saying the police would enforce the Electoral Act.
“The Nigerian Police Force will enforce the Electoral Act 2022 without fear or favour. If you break the law, you will face the consequences,” he said.
Shafa specifically urged politicians to avoid exposing voters to danger in areas affected by banditry, including Sabon Birni, Rabah, Kebbe, Tureta and Isa.
“Protect the voters, do not endanger them,” he said.
The APC said it would comply with electoral laws and sensitise its supporters on peaceful conduct, while other parties called for greater involvement of security agencies in election planning and fairness in the enforcement of campaign regulations.
The Kano State Government has similarly called on political parties and candidates to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns, warning against hate speech, provocation, character assassination and violence.
The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who spoke on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said candidates should compete on the basis of policies, programmes and records.
“The people of Kano deserve a campaign where candidates explain what they intend to do differently and how they will improve the lives of citizens,” he said.
Bature also urged media organisations, bloggers and social media users to verify information and avoid spreading fake news and inflammatory content.
He called on security agencies to remain professional and impartial and urged political parties to cooperate with them throughout the campaign period.
“Kano is bigger than any political party or individual. Political competition will come and go, but we will continue to live together as one people after the election,” he said.
Against the backdrop of the early campaign rhetoric, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, has warned political actors against allowing competition for power to degenerate into intimidation and violence.
In a statement titled “There Are Minimum Requirements: Nigeria Must Not Descend,” Ubani said the country’s political temperature was rising and cited recent developments in Ebonyi State and an alleged incident involving the denial of entry into a state to a presidential contender as concerns that should not be normalised.
He recalled Nigeria’s history of political violence, including Operation Wetie during the First Republic and violence associated with the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections.
Ubani said political opponents should be able to challenge one another’s records and policies but warned against crossing basic democratic boundaries.
“An election is not a war, and a political opponent is not an enemy of the State,” he said.
He urged parties and candidates to make the 2027 campaigns about policies, programmes and performance and cautioned supporters against using intimidation as a mobilisation tool.
“Your political mobilisation is to persuade, and not to terrorise,” he said.
Ubani called on INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders and citizens to work towards peaceful and credible elections.
He warned that political violence could ultimately consume those who create it and urged political actors not to sacrifice the country’s stability in the pursuit of office.
“Please let us not destroy the country in our desperate quest to govern it,” he said.
With campaigns now formally underway, the emerging contest is increasingly being framed around competing promises on security, jobs, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and welfare, even as early disputes over campaign materials and repeated warnings against violence underscore the challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source: punchng.com
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