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Nigeria's 2027 Elections: A Battle for Power amidst Economic Woes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nigeria, a nation with a unique model of democracy, is gearing up for its next general election in 2027. The current leadership has been criticized for prioritizing petty politics over actual governance, leaving millions of Nigerians to suffer from growing insecurity, hunger, and poverty. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President and presidential candidate, has accused President Bola Tinubu of abandoning governance in favor of his 2027 re-election ambitions. Amidst the politicking, the nation's economic woes worsen, with the country listed as one of the 13 hunger hotspots in the world by the United Nations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a good fight in 2027, with PDP governors vowing to confront APC and ADC in the election.
  • The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to unseat President Bola Tinubu from Aso Rock, citing APC and Tinubu's rising influence.
  • Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi continues to give Nigerians hope by using his personal resources to uplift schools and medical institutions.
  • there are rising concerns about the impact of politics on governance, with a proposal for a single tenure of six years for president and governors to concentrate on delivering dividends of democracy.
  • A zoning arrangement to accommodate the six main zones in the country is also suggested to enthrone an inclusive governance model.
  • The appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the APC is seen as part of the realignment to retain power at the centre.
  • Tinubu's Greek gift to northern Nigeria is seen as a last-ditch effort to salvage his position, given the possibility of losing the North entirely.
  • Atiku going back on his promise and backing Obi could land APC a red card in 2027.

Statistics:

  • At least 10,217 people were killed in attacks in two years since Tinubu assumed office, according to a report by Amnesty International.
  • Nigeria has been listed as one of the 13 hunger hotspots in the world by the United Nations.
  • 767 companies shut down operations in 2023, while 335 others experienced distress, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
  • Between 2023 and 2024, about 7.2 million Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) shut down in Nigeria.
  • The budget for education is abysmally low despite the people in power living in opulence.
  • Millions of Nigerian children are out of school due to their parents' inability to afford school fees.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International report in May 2025
  • United Nations report listing Nigeria as one of the 13 hunger hotspots in the world
  • Manufacturers Association of Nigeria report on company closures
  • Nigerian Economic Summit Group report on MSME closures
  • Newspaper articles and opinion pieces cited throughout the text

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