2027 Poll: Presidential, National Assembly Campaigns Officially Begin

Campaign activities for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections have officially commenced, ushering in an intense political contest ahead of the January 16, 2027 polls.

President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking a second term in office, is expected to campaign on the achievements of his administration, particularly in economic reforms, infrastructure development, security, job creation and food security.

The Tinubu administration is also expected to highlight its decision to remove the petrol subsidy and reform the foreign exchange market, arguing that the measures were necessary to improve government revenue, stabilise the economy and attract investment.

While the President has defended the reforms as steps that have strengthened economic management and restored investor confidence, opposition parties have continued to fault the policies, citing their effects on household incomes and the rising cost of living.

Among the major opposition figures in the presidential race are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who is contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Other presidential candidates include African Action Congress (AAC) candidate Omoyele Sowore and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Sandy Onor.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is also contesting under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside Suleiman Dikwa of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Dr Chibuzor Okereke of the Labour Party (LP).

Other candidates in the presidential race include former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick of the National Democratic Party (NDP); Chukwu Anita Zugwai of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance (AA); Adenuga Sunday of the Boot Party (BP); Memeh Samuel of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA); Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Okereke Iken Esther of the National Rescue Movement (NRM); Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); and Yusuf Kabiru of the Action People’s Party (APP).

With campaigns now officially underway, political parties and their candidates are expected to intensify nationwide mobilisation, engage voters and unveil their policy proposals in the months leading to the election.

The 2027 elections are expected to centre on critical national issues, including economic growth, security, employment, infrastructure, food security and good governance, as voters scrutinise the records, policies and promises of the various contenders.