Governorship campaigns for the 2027 elections have officially begun, with political parties and candidates across Nigeria unveiling promises focused on security, agriculture, education, healthcare, jobs and economic development.

The campaign period formally opened on Wednesday, September 9, setting the stage for contests across several states. Candidates have also been urged by political leaders and security officials to keep their campaigns peaceful and centred on policies rather than personal attacks.

In the North-West, seven governorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress signed a regional compact promising a N110,000 minimum wage, coordinated security measures and 21 specialist hospitals across the seven states.

The Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031, signed at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, also covers agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and regional economic cooperation.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Kebbi ADC governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, who read the communiqué, said the candidates would retain responsibility for their respective states while collaborating on challenges that cross state boundaries.

The candidates pledged to establish technology-driven surveillance and rapid-response networks, including drone deployment and a regional security coordination centre.

They also proposed protected farming corridors, formalised livestock production, agro-processing, irrigation rehabilitation and a regional grain reserve.

On education, the candidates promised an emergency intervention, greater access to Universal Basic Education Commission funding and measures to integrate Almajiri and Tsangaya children into formal education.

In healthcare, they proposed revitalising primary healthcare centres, expanding telemedicine and community health insurance, and establishing one specialist hospital in each of the region’s 21 senatorial districts.

Candidates unveil state agendas

In Adamawa, APC governorship candidate Tijani Galadima unveiled an agenda focused on agriculture and security.

Galadima promised to establish processing factories to enable farmers to earn more from their produce, arguing that agricultural processing could generate revenue, create jobs and drive industrial development.

He also identified insecurity as a major barrier to farming and pledged to address the problem to enable farmers to return to their farms.

In Kaduna, the APC launched its governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns with a promise to focus on the record of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.

The party said its campaign across the state’s 23 local government areas would avoid insults and personal attacks. It highlighted education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among areas where it said the administration had made progress.

In Abia, PDP governorship candidate Kelechi Anosike launched a 10-point manifesto titled “People First, Abia Always”.

His proposals include mechanised farming, a Traders Microfinance Bank offering interest-free revolving loans of between N500,000 and N2m, three industries annually, entrepreneurship grants and a state health insurance scheme.

Anosike also promised a N90,000 minimum wage, payment of outstanding allowances, gratuities and pension arrears within 100 days of assuming office, and the recall of 15,000 workers he said were prematurely sacked.

In Ogun, PDP candidate Oladipupo Adebutu launched his ITURA DE agenda, covering security, local government autonomy, workers’ welfare, agriculture, industrial development, education and healthcare.

Adebutu pledged to secure farms, highways and communities while restoring financial and administrative autonomy to local governments.

Campaign disputes emerge

As campaigns get underway, disputes over campaign materials have also surfaced.

In Enugu, the state signage agency reiterated its ban on the pasting and display of campaign posters, warning that violators could face fines of up to N50m.

The restriction applies to posters carrying the names, photographs, logos, slogans or messages of political parties, candidates and aspirants.

In Kwara, the PDP and state authorities exchanged accusations over the removal of campaign billboards belonging to PDP governorship candidate Suleiman Bolakale Kawu in Ilorin.

The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency said one billboard lacked regulatory approval and posed safety risks, while Kawu accused the administration of suppressing opposition activities.

The agency and the state government denied that the removal was politically motivated.

Police warn against violence

Security authorities have also stepped up warnings ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sokoto State Commissioner of Police Hayatu Shafa urged political parties and their supporters to avoid violence, hate speech, fake news and character assassination.

He warned party leaders that they could be held responsible for the conduct of their supporters, including youth groups and social media influencers.

The commissioner also cautioned against the destruction of campaign materials, display of weapons and the use of private security outfits at political rallies.

Kano State authorities similarly called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns and urged candidates to compete on the basis of policies, programmes and records.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, also warned political actors against allowing the competition for political power to degenerate into intimidation and violence.

He urged parties and candidates to make the 2027 campaigns about policies, programmes and performance, stressing that elections should not be treated as warfare.

With campaigns now formally underway, security, jobs, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and workers’ welfare are emerging as major themes, while early disputes over campaign materials and warnings against violence highlight the challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.