Ahead of 2027, experts urge issue-based campaigns on economy

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s governance, civil society and political space have called on political parties and aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections to prioritise credible economic policies capable of tackling poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, warning that campaign promises must translate into measurable governance outcomes.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja at a Political and Governance Agenda Forum for the Nigerian Economy forum organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
Participants stressed that the forthcoming elections should shift from personality-driven campaigns to issue-based debates centred on economic development, job creation, social welfare and improved living standards.
Speaking at the event, the Lead Director of the CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, said although Nigeria had embarked on a series of economic reforms, millions of citizens were yet to experience meaningful improvements in their standard of living.
He noted that multidimensional poverty, unemployment and underemployment remained major challenges despite positive macroeconomic indicators.
According to him, Nigeria’s economy must grow consistently at between seven and 10 per cent annually over the next decade to make a significant impact on poverty reduction.
Onyekpere said economic growth must be deliberately linked to job creation and social development rather than viewed merely through macroeconomic statistics.
He argued that government policies on education, healthcare, agriculture, taxation, trade and budgeting should be harmonised to produce sustainable economic outcomes.
The CSJ Director explained that the forum was designed to scrutinise the economic policy positions of political parties ahead of the 2027 elections and encourage candidates to adopt practical, evidence-based solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.
“Our objective is to ensure that political parties present credible economic agendas that respond to Nigeria’s realities and improve governance if elected into office,” he said.
Also speaking, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Chibuzor Okereke, described the forum as a timely intervention, saying politicians do not possess all the answers to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He said contributions from civil society organisations, development partners and policy experts would help political parties develop more responsive economic programmes.
According to him, the economy remains the foundation of sustainable national development and should occupy the centre of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okereke pledged that a Labour Party administration would pursue reforms aimed at creating an economy that works for all Nigerians rather than benefiting only a privileged few.
He also dismissed suggestions that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, insisting that democracy remained competitive and that his party was fully prepared to contest and win the next presidential election.
“I am running to win because Nigerians deserve a government that prioritises innovation, accountability and inclusive development,” he said.
The Labour Party flagbearer further pledged to make the provisions of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which contains the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, enforceable to strengthen government accountability and citizens’ rights.
Earlier, Programme Manager at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Juliana Anosike, urged political parties to move beyond campaign rhetoric and present realistic economic plans that address citizens’ daily concerns.
She said elections should provide voters with an opportunity to evaluate candidates based on the quality of their policies rather than personality or political slogans.
According to her, issues such as inflation, employment, infrastructure, energy supply and access to clean water should dominate political discourse because they represent the core responsibilities of government.
She also called on civil society organisations to sustain their advocacy and accountability roles throughout the election cycle by ensuring that campaign promises are monitored and translated into concrete governance outcomes.
“Economic development is not merely a technical issue reserved for economists; it is the essence of governance and the foundation of the social contract between government and citizens,” she said.
Anosike commended the Centre for Social Justice for convening the forum, describing it as an important platform for promoting issue-based politics and strengthening democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.