By Justina Auta
The CountryFirst Movement and allied pro-democracy organisations have known as for a shift from marketing campaign guarantees to policy-based politics forward of the 2027 common election, urging candidates to current clear governance plans.
The teams made the decision at a information convention on Thursday in Abuja, the place they introduced their assist for Mr Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Prof. Chris Mustapha-Nwaokobia, Convener of the motion, stated Nigerian elections ought to deal with detailed manifestos, measurable targets and implementation timelines moderately than political slogans and unfulfilled guarantees.
Nwaokobia stated the coalition’s evaluation of presidential candidates was geared toward selling issue-based campaigns and inspiring Nigerians to demand clear governance plans.
He stated the transfer was crucial “to move Nigerian politics away from campaign promises without clear implementation strategies towards issue-based campaigns.”
The convener stated the coalition started its evaluation on Aug. 26, 2026, by difficult presidential candidates to current complete manifestos detailing their plans for Nigeria.
He stated that of the 18 presidential candidates revealed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), solely Adebayo submitted a full manifesto.
According to him, 10 different candidates submitted briefs containing graphics and summaries of proposed programmes with out ample particulars or implementation timelines.
Nwaokobia stated political events ought to develop stronger ideological platforms moderately than operate primarily as automobiles for electoral contests.
He stated Nigeria’s recurring management challenges could possibly be addressed by way of “ideological consistency, policy development and measurable commitments to national development.”
The coalition subsequently introduced its endorsement of Adebayo as its most popular candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
It described Adebayo as a lawyer, businessman, media entrepreneur and progressive political determine with the expertise required to guide the nation.
The teams stated their selection adopted an evaluation of candidates’ manifestos, coverage proposals and implementation frameworks.
They cited Adebayo’s manifesto, which they stated contained a four-year supply plan and a roadmap for addressing Nigeria’s growth challenges.
According to the coalition, the manifesto outlines 12 precedence areas, together with safety, meals manufacturing, electrical energy, inexpensive power, job creation, healthcare, schooling, infrastructure and accountability.
The teams stated the doc additionally proposed establishing a Presidential Delivery and Performance Office inside the first 100 days of the administration.
They added that the framework included sectoral audits, identification of precedence tasks, procurement transparency measures and publication of a presidential efficiency dashboard.
The coalition stated the proposed four-year plan would deal with stabilising important providers, bettering safety, increasing agriculture and creating infrastructure.
It added that subsequent years would goal industrial development, expertise, manufacturing, transportation, housing and water growth.
The teams additionally advocated constitutional governance, evidence-based policymaking, private-sector partnerships and citizen participation in nationwide growth.
They stated 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 stated.
The teams urged political events to publish detailed manifestos earlier than inaugurating marketing campaign councils, saying campaigns must be constructed round clear coverage commitments.
They warned that with out adjustments in Nigeria’s political tradition, the nation risked persevering with a cycle of unprepared management and poor governance outcomes.
The endorsement was signed by Nwaokobia; Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, Coordinator of the Power within the Streets Movement (PITS); Alhaji Musa Isah of the Forum of North West Progressives; and Obinna Okeke, Organising Secretary of the CountryFirst Movement.
Others had been 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 known as on Nigerians to prioritise manifestos, ideological readability and measurable governance commitments when selecting leaders forward of the 2027 common election.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
