With party primaries concluded, Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most significant and unpredictable contests since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
Economic hardship, insecurity, public frustration, and growing dissatisfaction with political leaders have created a highly competitive atmosphere as candidates seek to succeed President Bola Tinubu. Across the political spectrum, contenders are presenting different ideas and strategies aimed at addressing the country’s challenges.
Unlike previous elections that were largely dominated by two major parties, the race for Aso Rock is unfolding amid opposition divisions, shifting alliances, and competing claims to party leadership.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once regarded as Africa’s largest political party, remains divided into two factions. One bloc, led by former Minister Kabiru Turaki, is backing former President Goodluck Jonathan, while another faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has adopted Senator Sandy Onor as its candidate. Both groups insist they represent the authentic PDP.
The presidential field is also crowded. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is running on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Other candidates include former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord Party, Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Anita Zugwai-Chukwu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Dr Esther Nkem Okeke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr Chibuzo Okereke of the Labour Party, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Sonny Adenuga of the BOOT Party.
Together, the candidates offer different approaches to governance and varying solutions to Nigeria’s economic, security, and development challenges.
Atiku Abubakar: Restructuring and Economic Reforms
A veteran politician, Atiku Abubakar remains one of the most recognised figures in Nigerian politics. Born in Jada, Adamawa State, in 1946, he rose through the Nigeria Customs Service before establishing a successful business empire. He served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007.
Running on the ADC platform, Atiku has centred his campaign on restructuring Nigeria’s federal system, granting more fiscal and political autonomy to states, attracting foreign investment, and liberalising the economy. He has also promised to strengthen intelligence gathering and tackle the root causes of insecurity.
Donald Duke: Governance and Innovation
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke is campaigning on a platform focused on governance innovation and economic development.
Duke, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, gained national attention for projects such as the Calabar Carnival and efforts to promote tourism. He argues that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not a lack of resources but poor governance and limited innovation.
His campaign promotes investment-led growth, tourism development, support for the creative economy, and merit-based leadership.
Sandy Onor: Competence and Consensus
Senator Sandy Onor, the candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction, is presenting himself as a leader focused on competence, discipline, and consensus-building.
With a background in academia, public administration, and legislative service, Onor believes his candidacy offers the PDP an opportunity to regain national relevance despite the party’s internal divisions.
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim: Institutional Reforms
Accord Party candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is campaigning on constitutional reform, economic diversification, and stronger institutions.
A former pro-democracy activist and businessman, he argues that national development can only be achieved through strong democratic institutions rather than reliance on powerful political figures.
Peter Obi: Production Over Consumption
Peter Obi, who gained widespread support during the 2023 election through the “Obidient” movement, is contesting under the NDC platform.
His agenda focuses on security, healthcare, agriculture, power generation, and job creation. Obi has proposed an intelligence-driven strategy to combat insecurity, expansion of healthcare coverage, increased agricultural investment, and improvements in electricity generation and distribution.
He maintains that Nigeria must move from a consumption-driven economy to a production-based economy capable of creating jobs and sustainable growth.
Sonny Adenuga: Technology-Driven Governance
BOOT Party candidate Sonny Adenuga is advocating technology-based governance and transparent public administration.
With years of international experience in project management and technology, he proposes digital government services, data-driven policymaking, and technology-enabled anti-corruption measures. He has also promised to tackle insecurity through what he describes as an “Intelligence Champions Security Framework.”
Adewole Adebayo: Rule of Law and Democratic Governance
Social Democratic Party candidate Adewole Adebayo has built his campaign around constitutional governance, economic diversification, and the rule of law.
The lawyer and entrepreneur argues that stronger institutions and adherence to democratic principles are essential for Nigeria’s progress.
Chibuzo Okereke: Policy-Based Leadership
Labour Party candidate Dr Chibuzo Okereke is promoting governance reforms and policy-driven leadership.
A scholar of legislative governance, he believes evidence-based policymaking and institutional reforms are necessary to improve governance and national development.
Anita Zugwai-Chukwu: Unity and Inclusive Development
Young Progressive Party candidate Anita Zugwai-Chukwu has pledged to tackle poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship through inclusive leadership.
She says her vision is to build a Nigeria driven by unity, innovation, economic growth, and opportunities for all citizens.
Aliyu Bin Abbas: Youth Empowerment and Technology
Action Democratic Party candidate Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas is focusing on youth participation, women’s inclusion, and technological innovation.
The Borno-born politician has promised to leverage artificial intelligence and modern technology to improve governance, drive economic transformation, and promote national unity.
A Defining Election Ahead
As campaigns gather momentum, the 2027 presidential election is expected to be one of the most competitive in Nigeria’s democratic history.
With multiple candidates offering different solutions to the nation’s challenges, voters will ultimately decide which vision they believe is best suited to lead the country into its next chapter.
2027 Presidential Race: Candidates Present Different Visions for Nigeria’s Future
