By FIDELUS ZWANSON

2027: Nigerian Voters Demand Plans, Not Promises, From Tinubu, Atiku, Obi

AS Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, voters across the country are sending a clear message to presidential contenders: explain how you intend to fix the country.

For many Nigerians, campaign slogans and political rallies no longer carry the weight they once did. They want practical policies, measurable targets and clear explanations of how proposed solutions will be funded.

President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress are among the leading political figures expected to face this demand.

Across Niger, Kogi, Gombe, Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Kano and Delta states, voters identified similar concerns.

Insecurity tops the list. Unemployment, poverty, inflation, education, healthcare, electricity, infrastructure and corruption also remain major concerns.

Jobs Instead of Handouts

In Niger State, voters said the next government must connect education with employment.

Dr. Abdullahi Jabi of the Campaign for Democracy and Good Governance argued that candidates should make good governance, security and citizens’ welfare central to their campaigns.

He also listed poverty reduction, infrastructure, healthcare and education as priorities.

Mubarak Mohammad of the Agglomeration of Civil Society Organisations in Niger State said Nigerians had grown tired of political gatherings that produced little improvement in their daily lives.

He wants candidates to explain how they will tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure deficits and weak public services.

The demand for jobs was equally strong in Gombe.

Aliyu Sale Maisallaya, a graduate in Gombe metropolis, said thousands of young people had qualifications but lacked sustainable employment.

He challenged political parties to explain how many jobs they intend to create, which sectors will generate them and what will happen after government empowerment programmes end.

Political commentator Musab Sunusi similarly urged voters to demand specific commitments and funding plans.

Security, Roads & Basic Services

Kogi residents placed security, roads, potable water, sanitation and healthcare among their priorities.

Hamza Aliyu, chairman of the Kogi NGOs Network, said politicians must address structural problems instead of relying on rallies, attacks and handouts.

He identified flooding, inadequate healthcare personnel, water shortages, mental health concerns and weak accountability as additional challenges.

Danladi Zakari, a voter in Lokoja, called for honesty about the country’s problems and practical responses.

Shehu Usman also advocated stronger community-based early-warning systems and better protection for schools.

Similar concerns emerged in Ekiti State.

Civil servant Owolabi Ojo identified banditry, kidnapping and terrorism as major threats. Retired teacher Adeolu Ajayi also called for stronger security and economic policies.

Olajide Akindele, a university graduate, acknowledged the student loan initiative but warned that rising tuition fees continued to place pressure on families.

The Economy Remains Central

Kwara voters focused heavily on the economy.

Professor Hassan Saliu of the University of Ilorin described economic instability as one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.

He urged presidential candidates to explain how they would address the consequences of fuel subsidy removal and rising living costs.

Other stakeholders called for credible plans covering insecurity, unemployment, poverty, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The message from Ondo was even more personal.

Fashion designer Samuel Onigiobi said declining household incomes had damaged his business because customers increasingly struggle to afford basic necessities.

Idowu Isaiah, an HND holder in accounting, said unemployment had forced him into bricklaying despite his qualifications.

Those experiences illustrate the distance between economic statistics and household reality.

Voters Reject Political Attacks

Stakeholders in Imo and Enugu states also demanded issue-based campaigns.

Prince John Okoronta of Imo State urged parties to abandon campaigns of calumny and present sustainable solutions to insecurity and unemployment.

Dr. Fidel Onyeneke called for realistic measures to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.

In Enugu, former Inter-Party Advisory Council chairman John Nwobodo said voters wanted candidates to explain how they would confront insecurity and other national problems.

Political analyst Amarachi Moneme went further, saying opposition candidates should present superior ideas instead of concentrating on attacks against incumbents.

Rice & Condiments Cannot Replace Economic Opportunity

Cross River voters expressed perhaps the most direct rejection of traditional campaign inducements.

Chief Collins Ayok urged parties to explain how they would build a productive economy through feeder roads, irrigation, electricity, tourism and stronger local government finances.

Farmer and voter Agbor Ogar said Nigerians wanted sustainable opportunities rather than bags of rice and small food items during campaigns.

He also drew attention to poor healthcare, including reports of patients undergoing procedures in hospitals with inadequate lighting.

Residents in Ogbagantee community similarly demanded improvements in schools, citing leaking roofs, overcrowded classrooms, broken furniture, informal charges and teacher shortages.

Political analyst Nkim Ojua called for better rural roads, electricity and infrastructure.

Monday Ekeng, a retired police officer, argued that community policing could improve security while job creation could tackle some of the conditions that drive insecurity.

Floods, Healthcare & Riverine Communities

Bayelsa voters added flooding to the national list of concerns.

Fish seller Ebiere Douglas said repeated flooding had become a serious threat to families and livelihoods.

Community leader Preye Amabra urged political parties to present detailed plans for drainage, flood control and shoreline protection.

Political scientist Tonye Ogoli challenged parties to attach numbers and timelines to their job promises.

Brenda Izu also linked insecurity along waterways to economic exclusion and youth unemployment.

For residents in riverine communities, healthcare remains another urgent issue.

Alaere Fenibo called for better access to emergency medical services, while political analyst Godspower Angaye advocated town-hall meetings and public debates where candidates would answer questions directly.

Nigerians Want Proof of Capacity

In Kano, voters demanded realistic policies on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, education, healthcare and the cost of living.

Public servant Yakubu Dalhatu also called for compulsory public debates among political aspirants.

Housewife Sarah Paul highlighted living costs, unemployment and insecurity.

Civil servant Salejo Ali added infrastructure, agriculture, youth skills, industrial development and economic recovery to the list.

Delta voters also emphasised delivery and experience.

Ovie Omo-Agege, a Nigeria Democratic Congress senatorial candidate, said governments should face scrutiny over their records in infrastructure, community development, economic initiatives and youth programmes.

Teddy-Jackson Ngwokor said voters should consider candidates with demonstrated records of community service, youth mentoring and support for small businesses.

Political analyst and activist Igbini Odafe said he would continue to examine the manifestos of political actors.

A New Test for 2027

Across the 13 states surveyed, the demands were strikingly similar.

Nigerians want fewer rallies and more debates. They want fewer handouts and more jobs. They want fewer slogans and more measurable programmes.

The emerging voter expectation is simple: candidates must explain what they intend to do, how they will do it, how much it will cost and when Nigerians should expect results.

That could make policy credibility one of the defining tests of the 2027 presidential contest.

For voters facing insecurity, unemployment, high living costs and weak public services, another campaign promise will not be enough.

They want a plan they can examine, challenge and ultimately hold the next government accountable for delivering.