Group urges shift from campaign promises to policy-based politics

The CountryFirst Movement and allied pro-democracy organisations have called for a shift from campaign promises to policy-based politics ahead of the 2027 general election, urging candidates to present clear governance plans.

The groups made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, where they announced their support for Mr Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Prof.​‌‍​‌⁠‍⁠⁠‍‌‍​‍‌​‍‌‌​ Chris Mustapha-Nwaokobia, Convener of the movement, said Nigerian elections should focus on detailed manifestos, measurable targets and implementation timelines rather than political slogans and unfulfilled promises.

Nwaokobia said the coalition’s assessment of presidential candidates was aimed at promoting issue-based campaigns and encouraging Nigerians to demand clear governance plans.

He said the move was necessary “to move Nigerian politics away from campaign promises without clear implementation strategies towards issue-based campaigns.”

The convener said the coalition began its assessment on Aug. 26, 2026, by challenging presidential candidates to present comprehensive manifestos detailing their plans for Nigeria.

He said that of the 18 presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only Adebayo submitted a full manifesto.

According to him, 10 other candidates submitted briefs containing graphics and summaries of proposed programmes without sufficient details or implementation timelines.

Nwaokobia said political parties should develop stronger ideological platforms rather than function mainly as vehicles for electoral contests.

He said Nigeria’s recurring leadership challenges could be addressed through “ideological consistency, policy development and measurable commitments to national development.”

The coalition subsequently announced its endorsement of Adebayo as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

It described Adebayo as a lawyer, businessman, media entrepreneur and progressive political figure with the experience required to lead the country.

The groups said their choice followed an assessment of candidates’ manifestos, policy proposals and implementation frameworks.

They cited Adebayo’s manifesto, which they said contained a four-year delivery plan and a roadmap for addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.

According to the coalition, the manifesto outlines 12 priority areas, including security, food production, electricity, affordable energy, job creation, healthcare, education, infrastructure and accountability.

The groups said the document also proposed establishing a Presidential Delivery and Performance Office within the first 100 days of the administration.

They added that the framework included sectoral audits, identification of priority projects, procurement transparency measures and publication of a presidential performance dashboard.

The coalition said the proposed four-year plan would focus on stabilising essential services, improving security, expanding agriculture and developing infrastructure.

It added that subsequent years would target industrial growth, technology, manufacturing, transportation, housing and water development.

The groups also advocated constitutional governance, evidence-based policymaking, private-sector partnerships and citizen participation in national development.

They said the governance framework was anchored on Chapter II of the Constitution, which outlined the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

“We present to Nigerians the candidate with a clear blueprint and a workable programme for a new Nigeria,” the coalition said.

The groups urged political parties to publish detailed manifestos before inaugurating campaign councils, saying campaigns should be built around clear policy commitments.

They warned that without changes in Nigeria’s political culture, the country risked continuing a cycle of unprepared leadership and poor governance outcomes.

The endorsement was signed by Nwaokobia; Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, Coordinator of the Power in the Streets Movement (PITS); Alhaji Musa Isah of the Forum of North West Progressives; and Obinna Okeke, Organising Secretary of the CountryFirst Movement.

Others were Fred Uke of the United Middlebelt Forum; Bernice Adeyemi of the South South Peoples Forum; and Ayegba Iyaji of the National Rescue Movement, North Central.

The coalition called on Nigerians to prioritise manifestos, ideological clarity and measurable governance commitments when choosing leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.

(NAN)