POLITICS
Three Demands Vulnerable Nigerians Are Asking Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, Sowore Ahead Of Polls
Three Demands Vulnerable Nigerians Are Asking Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, Sowore Ahead Of Polls
As political parties and aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, many struggling Nigerians say their biggest concern is no longer which politician occupies Aso Rock, but whether the next administration can make life affordable, restore security and give ordinary citizens a reason to hope.
For millions battling rising food prices, unemployment, expensive transportation, poor electricity and insecurity, the coming election represents another opportunity to demand better governance.
From unemployed graduates and struggling small business owners to farmers, persons with disabilities, elderly citizens and low-income households, the message to political parties is increasingly clear: Nigerians want policies that improve their daily lives, not another round of campaign promises.
Nigerians: ‘We Just Want To Survive’
The rising cost of living remains one of the biggest concerns among citizens.
Food, rent, transportation and healthcare costs have placed enormous pressure on household budgets, leaving many families struggling to meet basic needs.
Olufemi Adeniyi, a community leader in Abeokuta, said the next president must understand that governance should be measured by improvements in people’s living conditions.
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“Our leaders must understand that governance is ultimately about improving the quality of life of the people. Nigerians deserve affordable food, decent housing, accessible healthcare, and a government that genuinely prioritises their welfare,” he said.
For Abiodun Yakubu, a digital and communications strategist, Nigerians are no longer interested in explanations about economic challenges without corresponding improvements in their lives.
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“People are tired, hungry and gradually losing hope,” he said, calling for policies that would make food affordable, improve purchasing power and create decent employment.
He added: “Nigerians are not asking for luxury; they simply want to be able to feed their families.”
Farmers Demand Security, Workers Want Jobs
Insecurity has also become a major concern, particularly for farmers and rural communities affected by kidnappings, banditry and attacks.
Many farmers are unable to access their farmlands safely, while traders and commuters face the risk of attacks on highways.
Waheed Saka, convener of Dialogue 365, said security, stable electricity and employment should be among the next president’s priorities.
He said: “I will love that next Nigeria’s President prioritises security across the country.”
He also supported the establishment of state police, provided adequate safeguards were introduced to prevent abuse.
For young Nigerians, unemployment and the absence of meaningful economic opportunities remain pressing issues.
Abiodun Yakubu said many graduates had resorted to informal activities because decent jobs were difficult to find.
“Millions of graduates are either unemployed or engaged in informal activities such as commercial tricycle operations and point-of-sale businesses because decent employment opportunities are unavailable,” he said.
He called for genuine job creation, support for small businesses and skills programmes that lead to employment rather than initiatives that exist mainly on paper.
Persons With Disabilities Demand Inclusive Elections
Beyond economic hardship, persons with disabilities are demanding that the 2027 elections give them equal opportunities to participate in the democratic process.
For many, the challenge begins long before they reach the ballot box. Inaccessible polling units, inadequate assistive devices, communication barriers and discrimination have continued to discourage participation.
Kemi Odusanya, a visually impaired voter, recalled that although she participated in the 2019 elections, the absence of Braille ballot papers could create difficulties for some voters.
A physically challenged voter and disability advocate, Sussan Kelechi Ihuoma, described her experience of accessing a polling unit as stressful.
“As a person with physical disability, getting to the polling unit was stressful aside from the fact that the voting area was not easily accessible,” she said.
She warned that such difficulties could discourage eligible voters from participating.
“Sometimes it looks like a person deciding not to attempt the journey at all,” she said, describing how previous negative experiences could make people question whether voting was worth the stress.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has acknowledged the challenges, warning that insecurity, discrimination and inaccessible polling units could prevent persons with disabilities from exercising their rights.
“Electoral inclusion is not an act of charity; it is a democratic obligation,” he said.
Electricity, Healthcare And Education Top Demands
For small business owners, unreliable electricity means additional spending on generators, petrol and diesel, costs that are eventually transferred to consumers.
Nnamdi Orie, a technology entrepreneur, said stable electricity, affordable healthcare, quality education and better infrastructure should be central to the next administration’s agenda.
“People want to afford decent meals, travel without fear of kidnapping, find meaningful employment and run businesses without spending a fortune on diesel,” he said.
He added that Nigeria must move from an economy driven largely by consumption to one built on production, manufacturing, agriculture and exports.
On healthcare, Francisca Ogar, a journalist, called for functional primary healthcare facilities, including services for elderly citizens.
She also identified insecurity, unemployment, electricity, education and the cost of living as issues requiring urgent attention.
For Ebelechukwu Kingsley, Nigerians should not have to sell their belongings or travel abroad to access proper medical treatment.
“People should not have to sell their belongings or travel abroad before they can receive proper medical treatment. Our public hospitals need to work, and basic healthcare should be affordable,” he said.
Analysts Warn Against Campaign Promises Without Accountability
Political analyst Dr Hashim Saludeen said Nigeria was confronting not only an economic crisis but also a crisis of governance, public trust and national cohesion.
He argued that the next president must prioritise security, economic recovery, education, healthcare, employment, justice and accountable leadership.
“Economic recovery must also be felt in households rather than merely reflected in government statistics,” he said.
Saludeen added that Nigerians needed a government that could protect lives and livelihoods while ensuring that public institutions worked for everyone.
Similarly, legal practitioner Evans Ufeli said the next administration must provide measurable solutions to inflation, unemployment, insecurity and poor public services.
He said: “Finally, I expect an accountable government where public funds are spent transparently, corruption attracts consequences and citizens can see measurable progress.”
Although their experiences differ, the demands of struggling Nigerians converge around a common expectation: a government that makes survival less difficult.
They want affordable food, safer communities, decent jobs, reliable electricity, functional hospitals, quality schools and leaders who can be held accountable for their decisions.
As the 2027 campaigns gather momentum, candidates will be expected to explain not only what they intend to do but how they plan to achieve it and how Nigerians can measure their performance.
For citizens already struggling to survive, another cycle of attractive manifestoes and political promises may not be enough.
The ultimate test of the next administration, they insist, will be whether an ordinary Nigerian can afford a meal, earn a decent living, travel safely, access healthcare and send children to school without sinking deeper into poverty.
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