Campaigning for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections officially begins today, five months before the presidential election scheduled for January 16.
The presidential race is expected to focus heavily on the economy, cost of living and security, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term.
Tinubu will again face some of his major opponents from the 2023 election, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Omoyele Sowore and other candidates are also in the race.
The campaign begins amid economic pressures despite headline inflation easing to 15.4 percent in July. Nigerians have also faced rising transportation and living costs following economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy.
Security is another major campaign issue, with the country facing threats from insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other armed groups in different regions.
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The opposition will also seek to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, which currently controls the National Assembly and 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The 2027 contest will partly be a rematch of the 2023 presidential election, which Tinubu won with 36.6 percent of the vote. Atiku Abubakar received 29 percent, while Peter Obi secured 25 percent.
Ahead of the commencement of campaigns, Tinubu, Obi, Sowore, Donald Duke and other candidates signed the National Peace Accord in Abuja on Tuesday, committing themselves to peaceful conduct during the election period.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and other stakeholders have called on political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections.
