2027: Osinbajo’s Ex-Aide, Akande Questions Obi, Opposition Over Manifesto Delay

2027: Osinbajo’s Ex-Aide, Akande Questions Obi, Opposition Over Manifesto Delay

Former media aide to ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has questioned the readiness of opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing them of placing insufficient emphasis on presenting clear policy manifestos to Nigerians.

Akande specifically criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over what he described as the failure to make his policy agenda publicly available, despite preparations for the next presidential election.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he also called on Nigerians to take greater responsibility for determining the country’s political leadership through active electoral participation.

According to Akande, political leaders should not be regarded as individuals who would independently rescue the country, arguing that meaningful political change must begin with citizens organising themselves at the grassroots.

He maintained that Nigerians must become more involved in political activities at the community, ward and local government levels rather than depend entirely on political parties and established institutions to determine the country’s direction.

“I think Nigerians will not have a politician who is going to save us. We are not going to have a political figure who will come and save us, no,” he said.

Akande argued that citizens must organise themselves, participate actively in elections and ensure their votes count if they want to influence the choice of leaders.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the reluctance of politicians to present detailed manifestos before elections.

The former presidential aide specifically questioned why Obi had yet to publicly present his manifesto as the NDC’s presidential candidate.

“Our politicians are not very keen on manifestos, and you would expect that one of the things the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should put forward is his manifesto. But until now, we don’t know anything about his manifesto,” Akande said.

His comments come amid growing political activities and consultations among opposition parties seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

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The debate over opposition unity and policy direction has also intensified following disagreements among political leaders over the possibility of a common presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, questions about the policy alternatives being offered by political parties have become increasingly prominent as Nigerians contend with economic pressures, insecurity, unemployment and other governance challenges.

Akande’s intervention adds to the growing debate over the importance of issue-based campaigns, with renewed calls for presidential hopefuls to explain their economic, security and development proposals before seeking the electorate’s mandate.

The 2027 general elections are expected to feature President Tinubu’s APC and several opposition parties, including the NDC and African Democratic Congress (ADC), in what is shaping up to be a contest over competing political programmes and leadership priorities.