CSJ Demands Economic Blueprints from Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is challenging political parties to shift their focus from slogans and personalities to concrete economic recovery plans. The advocacy group insists that campaigns must center on measurable strategies to combat poverty, unemployment, and declining living standards, warning that Nigerians can no longer accept unfulfilled promises.

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Nigerians could no longer afford election campaigns built around slogans, personalities, and unfulfilled promises, insisting that the next electoral contest must be defined by serious debates on economic recovery, job creation and improved welfare.

The CSJ, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, organized a dialogue in Abuja to encourage political parties, civil society groups, and policy experts to make economic development the core of their campaigns. CSJ Executive Director Eze Onyekpere stressed that elections should be opportunities for citizens to evaluate competing policy ideas and choose platforms offering realistic solutions to the nation's challenges.

Onyekpere criticized the current political culture where parties issue manifestos but fail to engage the public on their implementation or funding. He argued that continuous engagement on vision and policy direction is crucial, as candidates often face no consequences for avoiding critical national issues. Nigeria's persistent economic crisis, marked by poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and inflation, stems from years of policy choices, he stated.

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It should not only be during election debates that candidates explain how they intend to solve Nigeria’s problems. Political parties must continuously engage Nigerians on their vision and policy direction because there are usually no consequences when candidates refuse to discuss critical national issues.

The executive director pointed out that despite recorded economic growth, many Nigerians have not seen improvements due to population growth nearly matching economic expansion. He emphasized that Nigeria needs sustained annual growth of seven to ten percent for at least a decade to significantly reduce poverty. With a population exceeding 230 million, over 145 million people live in multidimensional poverty, and millions of young Nigerians struggle with unemployment, highlighting the urgent need for about four million jobs within three years.

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If the economy grows by about four per cent while the population is expanding at almost the same rate, the growth is effectively cancelled out. Nigeria requires sustained annual growth of between seven and ten per cent over at least a decade to begin making significant progress in reducing poverty.