Campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections commenced officially two days ago. For those of us offering ourselves to serve, it signals the beginning of an important national conversation about where Nigeria is today, where we should be heading and the leadership required to take us there.
For me, this campaign will be about putting Nigerians first.
Our central message to Nigerians is that we have to reset our country so that it works for all Nigerians not just a select few.
Over the coming months, I will be travelling to all six geopolitical zones. Our campaign activities will include engagement with various stakeholders across our country. These engagements will not simply provide opportunities for us to speak, more importantly, they will allow us to listen.
I want to hear directly from Nigerians: workers whose incomes no longer meet their basic needs; business owners struggling to remain open; farmers concerned about security, production and access to markets; young people seeking opportunities to build meaningful lives; and families who want to feel safe in their homes and communities.
Our manifesto, The Reset Agenda, is currently undergoing stakeholders’ review. It will focus on security, the economy and the cost-of-living crisis, as well as food security among others. As we develop and present these plans, we will show not only what we intend to do but how we intend to do it, how it will be funded and the outcomes Nigerians should expect.
This is important because campaigns should be about more than slogans, personalities and promises. Nigerians must be able to examine every candidate’s record, ideas and capacity to deliver. They must be able to ask: What has this person done with the responsibilities previously entrusted to them? What measurable difference did their leadership make? And can their proposed solutions address the realities we face?
The recent Osun State governorship election reminded us of the power of participation. More than one million votes were cast—over 180,000 more than in 2022—and the people’s choice emerged with a clear margin. Despite the imperfections reported during the process, the people turned out, remained engaged and made their collective voice difficult to ignore.
As I said when I congratulated my brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the outcome was a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State. It also carries an important lesson for 2027: no political structure is more powerful than citizens who understand the significance of their participation and are determined to make their voices heard.
I am therefore inviting Nigerians who believe in the Nigerian Dream to take these first steps with us. You can participate in various ways.
Whether you join a campaign, attend a town hall, interrogate our proposals or encourage others to participate, do not remain a spectator. Listen carefully, ask difficult questions and reject attempts to reduce this election to ethnicity, religion or political entertainment.
These are our first steps. In the weeks ahead, I will share more about the Reset Nigeria Agenda and how you can contribute to building the Nigeria we know is possible.
Talk to you again soon,
~ Seyi Makinde
