Survival: Why Daily Struggles May Decide Nigeria’s 2027 Elections

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, a storm of economic hardship, governance choices, and social discontent is shaping the political terrain in ways that could upend conventional predictions. Party alignments and personality politics will no doubt dominate the campaign season, but when citizens finally step into the polling booths, the ballot is likely to reflect something more fundamental: survival.

Across sectors, policies and conditions have left many Nigerians feeling squeezed. Payments to local contractors have slowed, stifling businesses and delaying job creation. In higher education, moratoriums on establishing new universities have raised fears of reduced access for a growing youthful population eager to learn and compete. Within the civil service, new reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda have unsettled long-standing structures, raising both hope for change and concern about disruption.

But the economy tells the sharper story. Inflation continues to eat into household incomes. Rent, school fees, and basic food items are climbing beyond the reach of many families. Unemployment, particularly among young people, has become a ticking time bomb. Opportunities, where they exist, are widely perceived to be cornered by cronies and political loyalists rather than allocated on merit. This deepens public frustration and fuels the narrative of exclusion.

The insecurity crisis adds to the weight. Banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence spread fear across rural and urban communities, undermining livelihoods and economic stability. Corruption—especially in sectors like solid minerals—feeds resentment, as citizens watch national wealth slip into private hands with little accountability.

For households and businesses, additional burdens come from rising electricity and telecommunications tariffs, alongside new or adjusted taxes. To many, this feels like being squeezed from all sides: higher costs, fewer opportunities, and no safety net.

These realities hold direct implications for 2027. Incumbents may find it harder to rely solely on political machinery, regional loyalties, or campaign slogans if these challenges remain unresolved. Opposition parties, on the other hand, cannot hope to win by criticism alone; Nigerians will demand concrete alternatives that tackle unemployment, ease inflation, and ensure fair access to opportunities.

This points to a critical shift in the coming election: the issues of daily life—food, jobs, rent, education, and security—are set to eclipse ethnic, regional, or religious considerations. Nigerians are likely to measure candidates against performance, not promises; merit, not slogans.

The 2027 elections, therefore, may become less about personalities and more about governance outcomes. Whoever can convincingly show that they can lower costs, create jobs on merit, and restore safety will carry the moral and electoral advantage. For Nigeria’s democracy, this moment offers both a challenge and an opportunity—a chance to renew faith in leadership by addressing the core question on the minds of voters: not who shouts the loudest, but who can make survival possible.

Abdul Kezo IkonAllah