By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko

Going by the published timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the January 16, 2027 presidential election and the subsequent National Assembly elections, the official campaign period has commenced and will run for a staggering 150 days.

The truth, however, is that political campaigning under the present administration began more than two years ago. Politicians have long been travelling across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, addressing selected audiences and promoting their suitability for public office.

Indeed, as far back as two years ago, campaign billboards advocating the re-election of the incumbent president had become ubiquitous, with politicians openly canvassing support for a second and final term even when the President had barely completed two years in office.

By and large, Nigerian politicians, particularly during the current political dispensation, have demonstrated little respect for the rules governing political campaign engagements. For the purposes of this discussion, however, let us accept that the official campaign period has now commenced.

Significantly, presidential candidates of some political parties recently participated in the signing of the so-called peace accord, coordinated by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The politicians are already talking. But are they telling the electorate what they ought to be telling us? I have my strong doubts.

The National Broadcasting Commission has already issued directives warning broadcasting stations and online publishers, including bloggers, against using their platforms to disseminate misinformation, disinformation, fake news and hate speech.

The challenge, however, is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has numerous political aides whose activities appear, at least in the public arena, to be heavily focused on attacking his principal political opponents. The President, therefore, as both the incumbent and a presidential candidate, has a responsibility to ensure that his political supporters and appointees conduct themselves within the boundaries of civility and democratic engagement.

Similarly, opposition politicians and their supporters have also engaged in aggressive rhetoric and personal attacks against the President and members of his administration.

There must be an end to this political acrimony. It must give way to constructive debate about how the various political aspirants intend to address the multidimensional economic and social challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

The Chairman of INEC has also urged politicians seeking public office to refrain from trading abuses and insults and instead speak to Nigerians about practical solutions to the challenges facing the country.

The Question of INEC’s Neutrality

Professor Joash Amupitan has become a controversial figure in some sections of the Nigerian public because of concerns and questions surrounding his neutrality. These concerns have been fuelled by allegations regarding past social media posts said to have expressed support for the candidacy of the incumbent president, who subsequently appointed him chairman of the electoral body.

Given the enormous importance of INEC and the central role it will play in conducting the 2027 elections, the chairman has a responsibility to address such concerns openly and convincingly.

Professor Amupitan has ample opportunity to reassure Nigerians that he will not act as a rubber stamp or political foot soldier of the administration that appointed him. The office of INEC chairman demands independence, impartiality and public confidence.

As a professor of law, Professor Amupitan would be expected to appreciate the constitutional and institutional obligations attached to his office. The principle is simple: the electoral umpire must remain above partisan interests and must conduct himself, in both appearance and substance, in a manner that inspires confidence among all political parties and the Nigerian people.

The old saying that “he who pays the piper dictates the tune” may have relevance in ordinary circumstances, but it cannot and must not apply to an institution constitutionally entrusted with conducting free, fair and credible elections.

Candidates Must Put the Constitution at the Centre

Coming to the candidates seeking public office in Nigeria, I would argue that every serious political aspirant—and most especially those seeking election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—must be guided by a fundamental commitment to constitutionalism.

The necessity of respecting constitutional norms cannot be overstated. The failure to respect constitutional provisions is one of the principal foundations of bad governance.

I therefore believe that presidential and National Assembly candidates should place prominently before themselves the provisions of Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

For those commencing campaigns to persuade Nigerians to entrust them with important public offices, the following constitutional principles should form the foundation of their political philosophy and, more importantly, their conduct in public life:

Section 14(1): The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.

Section 14(2): It is hereby, accordingly, declared that:

(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;

(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and

(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

These provisions should not merely be recited during campaign speeches. They should become the guiding philosophy of anyone seeking to govern Nigeria.

HURIWA’s Challenge to Presidential Candidates

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which I founded about 19 years ago, has charged all presidential candidates participating in the 2027 general elections to use the 150-day campaign period to engage Nigerians on ideas, policies, development strategies and practical solutions to the country’s longstanding challenges.

The organisation has urged candidates to reject hate speech, ethnic mobilisation, religious sentiments and divisive rhetoric.

HURIWA said the commencement of the presidential campaign should mark the beginning of a serious national conversation about the future of Nigeria rather than another season of empty promises, political name-calling, character assassination and exploitation of the country’s ethnic and religious fault lines for electoral advantage.

The rights group therefore urged presidential candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with restraint, civility and respect for the constitutional rights of political opponents and other citizens.

In a statement signed by me, HURIWA said Nigerians deserve to know, in clear and measurable terms, what each presidential candidate intends to do differently if elected and, more importantly, how such programmes will be financed and implemented.

According to the organisation, candidates must go beyond attractive manifestos and campaign slogans. They should explain the specific strategies, timelines, institutions and resources that would be deployed to achieve their promises.

HURIWA said the central issues in the 2027 presidential campaign must include national unity, poverty reduction, employment creation, economic stability, industrialisation, human rights, constitutionalism, security and the rule of law.

The organisation maintained that Nigeria cannot continue to conduct elections primarily around ethnic calculations, religious sentiments and regional interests while millions of citizens struggle with poverty, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

Economy and Industrialisation

HURIWA challenged presidential candidates to present convincing economic blueprints capable of moving Nigeria from an import-dependent and consumption-driven economy to one anchored in production, manufacturing, agriculture, technology and value addition.

Candidates must explain how they intend to reduce inflation, expand employment opportunities, support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract investment and create an environment in which industries can thrive across the country.

The organisation particularly called for concrete plans for the industrialisation of all 36 states of the federation, stressing that economic development must not remain concentrated in a handful of major cities.

According to HURIWA, every state possesses unique economic resources and comparative advantages which, if properly harnessed, could generate employment, increase internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on federal allocations.

The organisation also challenged candidates to explain how their administrations would attract genuine foreign direct investment, protect investors without compromising national interests, and deploy Nigeria’s foreign policy to advance economic development.

Security and Counter-Terrorism

On security, HURIWA urged presidential candidates to provide detailed strategies for addressing the persistent insecurity affecting communities across different parts of the country.

The group said the next administration must have a clearly defined strategy for achieving decisive progress in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

It also called for stronger institutional cooperation among the military, police, intelligence agencies and other security institutions.

HURIWA urged presidential candidates to support ongoing counter-narcotics efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stressing that the fight against illicit drugs is directly connected to national security, youth development and the battle against organised crime.

Police Reform and Political Violence

The rights group also demanded that candidates state their positions on the establishment and development of functional policing institutions at both federal and state levels.

It argued that policing must be professional, accountable, adequately funded and insulated from partisan political control.

HURIWA specifically cautioned law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, against allowing themselves to become political instruments or “attack dogs” for politicians, especially those in power.

The organisation warned that the use of security agencies to intimidate, harass or suppress political opponents would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and weaken Nigeria’s democracy.

It called for zero tolerance for armed political thuggery, electoral violence, intimidation and the deployment of criminal elements during campaigns and elections.

According to HURIWA, security agencies must provide equal protection to all candidates, political parties and citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.

Human Rights, Rule of Law and Legislative Independence

HURIWA also challenged presidential candidates to make clear commitments to protecting fundamental human rights and strengthening the rule of law.

The group said respect for constitutional rights must not depend on whether a citizen supports the government of the day.

It also demanded clear commitments to the independence of the legislature, stressing that a functional democracy requires effective checks and balances among the three arms of government.

HURIWA said the National Assembly must be allowed to exercise its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference from the executive, while legislators must equally remain accountable to the Nigerian people.

Gender Equality

The organisation further urged presidential candidates to explain how their administrations would promote equality and equity for all genders in employment, politics, commerce, education and other areas of national development.

HURIWA said women and other historically underrepresented groups must not be treated merely as electoral audiences during campaigns and then forgotten after elections.

It urged political parties and candidates to demonstrate their commitment to inclusive governance through specific policies and measurable targets.

Billboards, Campaign Regulation and Freedom of Information

HURIWA also condemned what it described as attempts by some state governments to impose excessive fees on political billboards in ways that could restrict legitimate political communication.

While acknowledging the authority of state governments to regulate outdoor advertising and protect public spaces, the organisation said such regulations must not be converted into instruments for suppressing political expression or denying opposition parties a fair opportunity to communicate with voters.

It therefore called for reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory charges for campaign materials.

HURIWA equally urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to respect environmental regulations throughout the campaign.

Political mobilisation, it said, must not become an excuse for indiscriminate dumping of campaign materials, destruction of public infrastructure, obstruction of roads or other activities capable of degrading the environment.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

HURIWA said climate change and disaster preparedness must also become major issues in the 2027 presidential debate.

The organisation urged candidates to explain how they intend to address flooding, erosion, drought, extreme weather events and other climate-related challenges increasingly threatening communities and livelihoods across Nigeria.

It called for policies covering early-warning systems, flood control, urban planning, environmental protection, emergency response and climate-resilient infrastructure.

HURIWA said the devastating consequences of natural disasters can no longer be treated merely as seasonal emergencies requiring temporary government intervention.

Foreign Policy and Investment

The rights group also challenged presidential candidates to articulate foreign policy positions capable of restoring Nigeria’s influence on the African continent and strengthening its relationships with global economic partners.

Candidates, it said, should explain how Nigeria would deploy diplomacy to attract foreign direct investment, expand export opportunities, promote Nigerian businesses abroad and protect the interests of Nigerians living and working outside the country.

HURIWA stressed that foreign policy should be connected to Nigeria’s economic and development objectives rather than being treated solely as a matter of diplomatic protocol.

A Campaign of Ideas, Not Division

The organisation said the coming campaign period provides an opportunity for Nigeria to elevate its political discourse.

HURIWA therefore appealed to candidates, political parties, campaign organisations and their supporters to resist the temptation to exploit religious, ethnic and regional differences.

“The Nigerian people deserve a campaign of ideas, not a campaign of hatred; a campaign of development, not a campaign of division; and a campaign of accountability, not a campaign of propaganda.”

The organisation maintained that candidates should be prepared to subject their records and policy proposals to public scrutiny. They should tell Nigerians not only what they intend to do, but also how, when and with what resources they intend to do it.

HURIWA further called on the media, civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious institutions and the electorate to demand issue-based debates and hold candidates accountable for their promises.

The organisation said the 2027 election must ultimately be about the Nigerian people and their right to live in a secure, prosperous, democratic and rights-respecting country.

As campaigns commence, HURIWA urged Nigerians not to be carried away by political theatrics, lavish rallies or inflammatory speeches, but to carefully examine the records, competence, character and policy proposals of every candidate.

Nigeria deserves a campaign season in which ideas triumph over insults, policy defeats propaganda, and the interests of citizens prevail over the ambitions of politicians.

Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.