Issues wey go decide 2027 presidential election and how Nigerians fit screen Tinubu, Atiku, Obi and oda candidates

As political parties and candidates dey increase dia preparations for di 2027 general elections, di issues wey fit influence voters choices dey become more important.

Di cost of living, insecurity, unemployment, electricity, healthcare, education and governance na some of di concerns wey Nigerians and stakeholders dey raise.

Recently, fuel subsidy don bicom topic of discussion for Nigeria afta African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar say e go bring am back if Nigerians vote am for 2027 general elections.

Dis na some of di issues wey go decide how Nigerians vote for di 2027 general elections.

Rising cost of living

One political analyst from Kano, Sani Bala, tell BBC News Pidgin say Nigerians suppose focus more on di rising cost of living wen dem dey decide who to vote for for di 2027 general elections.

Mr Bala believe say di economic hardship wey plenty Nigerians dey face suppose be one of di major issues wey voters go consider wen dem dey assess political candidates bifor di election.

Wen dem ask am why e believe say di rising cost of living na bigger concern for voters than insecurity, Mr Bala say economic hardship dey directly affect pipo evriday life.

“Na di cost of living dey affect pipo pass for Nigeria sake say tins don bocome expensive. Some pipo dey struggle to feed dia families bicos of di difficult economic situation,” e say.

E explain say di increase for prices of basic goods and services don make am increasingly difficult for some families to meet dia daily needs.

According to am, voters suppose pay attention to how candidates intend to improve pipo economic conditions instead of accepting general promises about improving di kontri.

Insecurity

Sani Bala say although insecurity remain serious national problem, politicians suppose face questions weneva dem promise to completely end insecurity within a particular period.

“Insecurity na general issue, and any politician wey come tell pipo say e go end am by particular time dey lie. We don see am bifor, wia some politicians promise to end insecurity within certain period, but dem no fit do am,” e tok.

According to Bala, politicians don repeatedly make promises to address insecurity, but di problem continue to affect different parts of di kontri.

E advise voters to look beyond campaign promises and check weda candidates get plans to address di wahala wey dem identify for dia campaign.

Oga Bala also say responsibility for addressing insecurity wahala no suppose be on politicians alone.

“On di oda hand, insecurity na somtin wey evribodi get role to play, no be politicians alone,” e tok.

E argue say dis na anoda reason why voters suppose dey careful about politicians wey promise to completely end insecurity within specific period.

“Weneva politician say e go solve di security problem by certain time, pipo suppose sabi say such promise fit no dey real,” e add.

How Nigerians fit screen candidates

Meanwhile, Sani Bala want voters to ask candidates to explain exactly how dem intend to achieve di promises wey dem dey make during campaigns.

E say Nigerians gatz make sure say dem do background check on evri candidate wey dem wan vote for.

"Wenevea candidate say e go solve particular problem, you suppose ask am: how exactly you go solve am?” e tok.

Bala believe say asking such questions go help voters know di difference between candidates wey get plans and dose wey dey make promises to win votes.

Di political analyst also advise Nigerians to examine di previous records of candidates, especially dose wey don hold public office bifor.

“E important for Nigerians to look at candidate background wen e dey office and find out wetin e do for im state or kontri while e dey for power,” e tok.

According to Oga Bala, politician previous performance suppose be one of di important factors wey voters go consider bifor dem give di pesin anoda opportunity to hold public office.

E say voters suppose ask wetin candidate achieve wen e previously get opportunity to serve and weda dose achievements match di promises wey e dey make now.

Oga Bala further say voters suppose dey careful wen politicians criticise dia opponents for failing to solve problems.

E say voters suppose also examine di experience and knowledge of di politician wey dey make such claims.

“If candidate say anoda pesin fail to solve wahala, pipo suppose also ask which experience dat candidate get for dat area and wetin e don previously do about di same problem,” e tok.

E believe say dis go make political campaigns focus more on issues, policies and performance instead of accusations and political tok-tok.

'Candidates suppose know di problems wey dem wan solve'

Sani Bala use education as example of how voters fit test weda politician truly understand di problem wey e promise to solve.

E say if candidate promise to improve education for a state, voters suppose ask basic questions about di sector bifor dem accept di promise.

“For example, if pesin wan contest election for im state and e say e go solve di education problem, ask am how many schools dey for di state and wetin be di number of students and teachers, and how e go solve di wahala.

“Most candidates no go fit answer such questions,” e tok.

According to am, candidate wey wan solve problem gatz understand di size, causes and possible solutions to di problem.

Oga Bala say Nigerians get important role to play to improve di kontri political system by making good choices during elections.

E say voters no suppose choose candidates simply bicos of political party loyalty, popularity or campaign promises.

Instead, e advise dem to investigate candidates, study dia records and ask how dem intend to address di problems wey dey affect ordinary pipo.

“Na why e dey veri important for pipo to know who dem wan vote for and how dat pesin solve dia problems,” Oga Bala add.