2027: GOVERNORSHIP CAMPAIGNS BEGIN, POLITICIANS UNVEIL PROMISES ACROSS STATES
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
Governorship candidates and political parties across Nigeria have intensified campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, unveiling programmes and promises focused on security, agriculture, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and economic development.
Across the North-West, South-East and South-West, candidates are presenting competing policy agendas as they seek to win the support of voters. Political parties and stakeholders have also called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the polls.
The development follows the formal commencement of the governorship campaign period on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, signalling the start of a contest expected to be dominated by issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, social services and citizens’ welfare.
In the North-West, seven governorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress signed a regional compact pledging a N110,000 minimum wage, 21 specialist hospitals and coordinated measures to address insecurity, agriculture, education and economic development.
The Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031, signed in Abuja, also proposed coordinated security operations, technology-driven surveillance, improved regional infrastructure, agricultural development and cross-border economic cooperation.
In Adamawa, the APC governorship candidate, Tijani Galadima, unveiled an agenda centred on agriculture and security. He promised to establish processing factories to increase farmers’ earnings, create jobs and drive industrial growth.
Galadima also identified insecurity as a major barrier to agricultural production and pledged to tackle the challenge to enable farmers to return safely to their farms.
In Kaduna, the APC commenced its governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns, promising an issue-based contest without insults or personal attacks. The party highlighted education, healthcare, sports, skills acquisition and security as key areas of focus.
In Abia, PDP governorship candidate Kelechi Anosike launched a 10-point manifesto titled “People First, Abia Always,” outlining proposals covering agriculture, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, economic development, youth and women empowerment, housing, security and infrastructure.
Among his promises are mechanised farming, support for farmers, a traders’ microfinance bank, new industries, entrepreneurship grants, a state health insurance scheme and improved primary healthcare services.
Anosike also pledged scholarships, improved teachers’ welfare, a N90,000 minimum wage and the payment of outstanding allowances, gratuities and pension arrears within his first 100 days in office if elected.
In Ogun State, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu unveiled his ITURA DE agenda, which focuses on security, local government autonomy, workers’ welfare, urban development, transportation, agriculture, industrialisation, youth empowerment, education and healthcare.
Adebutu promised to improve security across farms and communities, restore financial and administrative autonomy to local governments, address pension and gratuity arrears, and provide better financing opportunities for farmers and small businesses.
Meanwhile, campaign-related disputes have emerged in some states.
In Enugu, the state signage agency reiterated its ban on the unauthorised display of campaign posters, warning that violators could face fines of up to N50 million. The agency urged political parties and candidates to use approved billboards and other authorised media platforms.
In Kwara, the PDP and the state government exchanged accusations over the removal of campaign billboards belonging to the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Bolakale Kawu.
While the state signage agency said the billboards were removed over alleged regulatory violations and safety concerns, Kawu accused the administration of attempting to suppress opposition activities.
Security agencies and government officials have also continued to appeal for peaceful campaigns.
In Sokoto, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shafa, warned political parties and their supporters against violence, hate speech, fake news, character assassination and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process.
Similarly, the Kano State Government urged political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and records while avoiding hate speech, provocation and violence.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, also cautioned political actors against allowing the competition for political power to degenerate into intimidation and violence.
With the governorship campaigns now formally underway, candidates are increasingly positioning themselves around promises of improved security, job creation, agricultural development, better infrastructure and social services, while calls for peaceful and credible elections continue to grow ahead of the 2027 polls.
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