My Pick for the 2027 Presidential Election

As we get closer to the 2027 presidential election, Nigeria is facing the same old issues. The usual political talk and empty promises are already starting. But the truth is clear: Nigeria's recent news about insecurity and economic struggles looks just like what we saw ten years ago. Our national discussions still focus on which problem is worse instead of figuring out why these problems keep happening. Issues like poverty, terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, public-sector corruption, weak budgeting, bad procurement, poor political finance rules from INEC, and rising government waste are still not solved.

To change this cycle, voters need to push for real change. To put it in the words of Dr Shakir Balogun, a strong state must build systems, enforce rules, support productive sectors, and plan for the future. I will vote for the candidate who promises to achieve at least 70 percent of the following reform plan within a strict five-year term. This plan includes important actions that do not need new funding but require a leader focused on national security and good governance above political favors.

I. True Federalism, Restructuring and Sub-National Accountability

• Fiscal Autonomy and Revenue Split (Year One Target): Change the constitution to allow states to keep at least 80 percent of the money they earn locally, giving only 20 percent to the Federal Government. This will push states to create their own wealth and boost local economic activity.
• Sub-National Transparency and Audit Mandates (Year Two Target): Give State Offices of the Auditor-General full financial and administrative independence. Their appointment and removal should be confirmed by the State Houses of Assembly and protected by fixed terms, independent budgets, and transparent public reports.
• Devolution and Citizenship (Year Two Target): Finish constitutional changes that give states full control over local government areas. At the same time, replace the outdated “State of Origin” idea with “State of Residence” to ensure equal citizenship and get rid of local discrimination.
• Public Sector Efficiency (Year One Target): Set up an independent Bureau for Public Sector Efficiency right after taking office to audit, merge, or shut down at least 70 percent of federal agencies in the first 12 months. All states should also create a similar bureau to cut down on local waste.
• Divestment from Sub-National Sectors (Year Three Target): Plan a phased exit over three years to remove the Federal Government from agriculture, extractive industries, and local road building, leaving these entirely to states and private companies under strict federal rules.
• Decentralised Funding (Year One Target): Change the law in the first year to make states directly pay the salaries and allowances of their federal legislators, while getting rid of regional development commissions in favor of voluntary state development agreements.

II. National Security and Law Enforcement Reform

• Border Protection (Year One Target): Create a National Border Security Agency focused on high-tech border monitoring and protecting our territory. The Nigeria Customs Service should only handle trade, while the Nigeria Immigration Service should manage migration.
• Demilitarising Internal Security (Year One Target): Start a command order to withdraw the military from regular internal security duties, returning safety to a reformed Nigerian Police Force.
• State Policing (Year One Target): Pass the necessary constitutional changes in the first year to allow independent State Police forces that are not controlled by the federal government, giving governors the power to secure their areas.
• Military-to-Civilian Transfers (Year Two Target): Start a plan in the second year to retrain and place qualified, retired military personnel into civilian law enforcement agencies.

III. Anti-Corruption, Data and Electoral Integrity

• Biometric Identity and Elections (Year Two Target): Finish creating a single national biometric digital identity system that combines tax, banking, address, and communication data. This system must be used for national planning and be a must for participating in all future elections.
• Policy Continuity (Year One Target): Draft and pass a legally binding 10-year National Development Plan in the first 12 months to protect key infrastructure projects from changing political agendas.
• Political Accountability (Year Two Target): Secure a constitutional amendment for a single, non-renewable five-year term for the president, governors, and local government chairmen, stopping the distractions and pressures that come with second-term campaigns.
• Aggressive Enforcement (Year Two Target): Fully fund EFCC, ICPC, and CCB, giving them advanced forensic tools and support from laws that protect whistleblowers to aggressively trace and seize illegal wealth.

IV. Monetary Policy and Financial Inclusion

• Sub-National Fiscal Sustainability (Year Two Target): Create and enforce limits on debt for state governments to stop irresponsible borrowing, requiring independent state auditors to publish verified quarterly reports.
• Fintech and Digital Integration (Year Two Target): Change financial laws to fully include digital payment systems and mobile banking in the formal economy, bringing millions of unbanked rural citizens into the tax and credit systems.

V. National Identity and Civic Responsibility

• NYSC Redesign (Year One Target): Revamp the National Youth Service Corps by the second year, turning it into a required civic training program focused on nationalism, discipline, vocational skills, and basic military training. JAMB and other pre-university exams should be conducted while candidates are enrolled in the program.

VI. Energy, Infrastructure and Industrial Development

• Grid Decentralisation (Year Three Target): End the federal monopoly on electricity, allowing states to generate, transmit, and distribute power independently, while renegotiating old power agreements to protect national interests.
• Unshackling Infrastructure (Year One Target): Set up legal and public-private frameworks within the first year that let coastal states develop, own, and run deep seaports, while empowering all states to build railways and airports without needing permission from Abuja.

Nigeria needs serious change. The candidate who can promise to deliver at least 70 percent of these important points on this timeline is the one we should trust and vote for.