Nigeria’s political parties have officially begun campaigning for the 2027 presidential election, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term amid economic pressures, security concerns and a divided opposition.
The campaign season opened on Wednesday, August 19, five months before Nigerians are scheduled to vote on January 16, 2027.
The contest is expected to feature a partial rematch of the 2023 presidential election, with Tinubu facing former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other contenders.
Tinubu won the 2023 election with 36.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of Abubakar with 29 per cent and Obi with 25 per cent.
Economy, Security Dominate Campaign
The economy is expected to be one of the defining issues of the 2027 presidential race.
Tinubu’s administration has implemented major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy. While the reforms have received praise from economists and investors, they have also contributed to significant cost-of-living pressures.
Inflation reached 34 per cent before cooling to 15.4 per cent in July, according to figures cited in the report.
Nigeria also continues to face security challenges involving jihadist groups, bandit gangs, farmer-herder conflicts and separatist violence.
Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, author of The Bellwether political newsletter, said the economy remained the issue cutting across different parts of the country, with implications for security and development.
Opposition Faces Tinubu
The opposition enters the campaign period amid internal and legal challenges.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, is again seeking the presidency, while Atiku is also returning to the contest.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, who secured about six per cent of the vote in 2023, has teamed up with Obi as his running mate.
The ruling All Progressives Congress controls the National Assembly and 31 of Nigeria’s 36 governorships, giving Tinubu’s campaign a strong political base.
Peace Accord Signed Ahead Of Campaigns
The commencement of campaigns follows Tuesday’s signing of the National Peace Accord by several presidential candidates and political actors.
Tinubu, Obi, African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore and Peoples Redemption Party candidate Donald Duke were among those represented at the ceremony in Abuja.
The accord was organised by the National Peace Committee and is intended to promote peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi called for an election in which voters’ choices would count and urged Nigerians not to support candidates or parties that violate the principles of the agreement.
Tinubu, represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, praised the peace committee and pointed to the use of technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, as evidence of improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The 2027 presidential election will take place against the backdrop of widespread economic concerns, security challenges and memories of the low voter turnout recorded in 2023, when only 27 per cent of registered voters participated.
