The future of Nigeria is hanging by a thread. Every day, the struggles deepen. Inflation has reached unbearable levels, with food prices soaring beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals that the cost of living has surged by over 31%, pushing millions into extreme hardship. Meanwhile, youth unemployment remains an open wound in our national consciousness, with over half of Nigeria’s young population left without opportunities. The very people who should be shaping the nation’s future are given a lack of opportunities and are fleeing in droves, seeking survival in foreign lands.

Insecurity has become a terrifying constant. Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative industry, and some regions of the country remain ungoverned, controlled instead by bandits, insurgents, and criminal networks.

Politicians are already deep in their preparations for 2027

Yet, while citizens struggle to find hope, politicians are already deep in their preparations for 2027. They are not waiting for circumstances to improve or for suffering to lessen; they are forging alliances and coalitions, crafting strategies, and perfecting the gimmicks they will use to secure power once again. They move with urgency because they understand what is at stake. So why don’t we?

The 2027 Elections: A Crucial Moment

This is not just another election cycle. It is a battle for the soul of Nigeria. What happens in 2027 will determine whether this nation begins its long-overdue recovery or sinks deeper into the abyss. Will governance continue to serve a corrupt elite, or will we finally demand leadership with integrity? Will our economy collapse under mismanagement, or will we choose policies that bring jobs and prosperity? Will our votes count, or will the outcome once again be predetermined by fraud and manipulation? The coming election is not simply about choosing a president alone; it is about fixing a system that has betrayed us for decades. It is about reclaiming the future, not just for ourselves but for future generations.

Too often, Nigerians focus solely on the presidency, as though one man in Aso Rock alone determines the fate of the nation. But governance happens at every level. The governors in our states hold vast powers over policies that affect daily life, including security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives decide how national resources are allocated and whether reforms succeed or fail. Even at the local government level, the officials in charge determine the quality of roads, schools, and community development. If we fail to elect competent and accountable leaders at all levels, we will continue to be trapped in a cycle of failure.

Five Key Outcomes to Rescue Nigeria

To change the trajectory of this nation, there are five key outcomes we need to work to achieve.

Outcome 1: #FixINEC – Ensure Free and Fair Elections, bring an End to Electoral Manipulation

Nigeria cannot afford to enter 2027 with the same broken electoral system that has repeatedly robbed the people of their voice. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed in its duty to deliver free and fair elections, and without urgent reforms, history will repeat itself. A system plagued by voter suppression, result manipulation, and political interference cannot produce legitimate leadership. Fundamental changes must be made to the electoral process, from ensuring transparency in voter registration to real-time electronic transmission of results. If we do not fix the electoral process, then no amount of mobilisation will be enough to change the country’s trajectory.

Outcome 2: Develop #ThePeople’sMandate – A Governance Agenda Driven by the People

Beyond elections, governance must become a reflection of the people’s will, not a private arrangement among the powerful. We need a national agenda that prioritises job creation, economic recovery, and industrial revival, instead of serving the interests of political benefactors. Education and healthcare should no longer be neglected while public officials travel abroad for medical treatment and their children attend the world’s finest schools. Security forces must be reformed to serve citizens rather than intimidate them. Infrastructure must be developed with integrity, not as a conduit for corruption through inflated contracts. Policies must be citizen-centric, ensuring that governance addresses the struggles of everyday Nigerians rather than deepening their despair.

Outcome 3: #NewClass – Find and Back a New Class of Leaders

For decades, Nigeria has been led by the same recycled politicians, moving from one party to another, offering no vision and no solutions. The 2027 elections must mark a decisive break from this failed political class. A new generation of ethical, competent, and visionary leaders must emerge. Professionals with governance experience, individuals who understand policy, and leaders who prioritise service over self-enrichment must be supported. Winning power for the people requires more than just participation in elections—it requires preparation, organisation, and a commitment to transforming leadership at all levels.

Outcome 4: #Reform Political Parties, Birth New Parties.

Political parties, as they exist today, remain one of the greatest obstacles to good governance. Dominated by godfathers and moneybags, they serve narrow political interests instead of democratic principles. This system must be disrupted. Existing parties need to be reformed and Alternative political platforms that prioritise merit, transparency, and accountability must be built. Where necessary, independent candidates should be supported to challenge the dominance of entrenched party structures. A democracy where only the corrupt can rise to power is no democracy at all.

Outcome 5: #Citizens United – Mass Citizen Mobilisation and Engagement

Real change will not come simply by voting in 2027, it must be built long before then. Voter apathy remains one of the greatest threats to democracy in Nigeria. In the 2023 elections, out of over 200 million Nigerians, only 29% of registered voters participated. Millions of new voters must be registered, particularly young people who have never voted before. Every Nigerian must not only commit to voting but also ensure that their friends, family, and communities do the same.

But registering is not enough. Votes must be protected. We have seen what happens when elections are left unguarded, ballot boxes disappear, results are tampered with, and mandates are stolen. Citizens must actively monitor polling units and collation centres, document electoral fraud, and demand accountability. Independent observers, as tradition must continue to be deployed nationwide. Legal action must be taken in real-time to challenge irregularities. This time, we will not simply cast our votes and go home. We will stand, we will watch, and we will protect the integrity of our democracy.

Beyond Elections: Accountability

This movement for change must go beyond the election season. Civic education must be a continuous effort, ensuring that Nigerians not only know their rights but also exercise them. Political engagement must extend beyond voting; elected officials must be held accountable throughout their tenure. Town hall meetings, petitions, community organising, and media advocacy must become routine tools for demanding governance that serves the people.

Elections are not the end of democracy; they are only the beginning. A government that is not held accountable between elections will continue to operate unchecked. Citizens must stay engaged, ensuring that those elected to serve are consistently pressured to deliver on their promises.

What will you DO?

Nigeria has suffered enough corruption, misgovernance, and shattered dreams. 2027 offers a chance to reset the nation, chart a new course, and reclaim a future stolen by decades of failure. But the outcome depends on what we do now. Will we sit back and allow the same old politicians to decide our fate? Or will we rise, mobilise, and fight for the Nigeria we deserve?

The choice is yours.

#FixNigeria #2027Elections #ActNow #ThePeoplesMandate