Nigeria's Voters Seek Answers from Political Elites

Three opposition politicians named to coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign machinery face questions about what their alliances mean for voters and their parties. In an October 17, 2026, essay, Stephanie Shaakaa said Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party should explain choices that affect the electorate.

Alliances and the voters' mandate

Shaakaa identified Wike and Adeleke as coordinators for the FCT and Rivers State, and Osun State, respectively, and Soludo as coordinator for Anambra State. She drew a line between working with a president on security, infrastructure and development, and helping him win another term. “Different party cards, same pocket,” the essay said.

The essay acknowledged that political interests and alliances shift, and politicians shouldn’t be imprisoned by past affiliations. But Shaakaa argued that changing allegiance doesn’t erase the duty to explain consequential decisions. She asked what achievements had convinced Wike, Soludo and Adeleke that Tinubu deserved another term, which shortcomings they considered acceptable, and what they expected a second term to accomplish.

Shaakaa said the politicians’ participation shouldn’t automatically count as a formal endorsement by their parties. Supporters, she said, deserved to know whether the arrangements reflected personal choices or a broader shift in the opposition. Opposition parties should scrutinise government, expose failures and offer voters another course, she wrote.

A campaign council, Shaakaa said, can’t establish presidential performance or confer a mandate. Only voters can give one. As 2027 approached, she said the politicians, their parties and the ruling APC had responsibilities to explain their positions and defend Tinubu’s record. The essay called voters’ loss of faith in meaningful change a crisis of trust.

Constitutional roles and public spending

In an October 17, 2026, Daily Trust interview by Dalhatu Liman, Associate Professor Babayo Sule of the University of Namibia argued that political leaders’ actions must stay connected to the realities of the masses. Sule opposed the constituency project system, saying the executive should primarily carry out development projects.

He said the constitution gives the legislature responsibility for making laws, amending existing laws and overseeing the executive. Sule called for a clear demarcation among the three arms of government, and said legislators should focus on lawmaking, representation, oversight and other constitutional responsibilities.

Sule said former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly described constituency projects as diverting resources intended for the executive, while former President Goodluck Jonathan also raised concerns about waste of public resources. Former President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly said more than n2 trillion had gone to constituency projects between 1999 and his administration. Sule said projects could include stadiums in villages, conference centres and inadequately equipped skills acquisition centres.

He also said some interventions linked to House of Representatives Appropriations Committee chairman Abubakar Bichi appeared beneficial, particularly those supporting human development. A report published in June 2026 said Bichi paid approximately N40 million in tuition or registration fees for 2,423 students at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, for the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session. Sule commended the initiative. Other reports linked Bichi to housing, school improvements, roads, skills acquisition centres, an e-library and a mini stadium.

Scrutiny of authority and wealth

Sule said Bichi chaired the House Committee on Works from 2019 to 2023, overseeing federal infrastructure programmes. He described Bichi’s later move to the Committee on Appropriation as significant: its chairman scrutinises proposed federal expenditure and budget proposals from ministries, departments and agencies. The committee can seek explanations and recommend changes before approval, though Sule said influence over specific allocations depends on the legislative process, other lawmakers and executive proposals.

Sule described Bichi’s birthday celebration as extravagant and opulent amid widespread poverty, including in his constituency. Newspaper advertisements can cost substantial sums, he said, raising questions about the financial capacity of those involved and their political relationships. But he cautioned that advertisements alone didn’t establish that anyone sought a favour or that public money financed the celebration; evidence would be needed for those claims.

He called for clear procedures, documented decisions, effective oversight and public access to information. Allegations of bribery, improper influence or budget manipulation should be investigated, he said. Sule cited the 2016 budget-padding controversy, when Abdulmumin Jibrin alleged irregularities in the National Assembly’s budget process and lawmakers later suspended him. Sule also said allegations by former lawmaker Gudaji Kazaure required appropriate investigation.

Sule urged constituents to hold representatives accountable through peaceful, lawful and constitutional means. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau should verify asset declarations and investigate credible allegations involving public resources, he said. Scrutiny should rest on verifiable facts and due process.