As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially flag off the nationwide campaign by political parties and players in the political firmament have started positioning their presidential candidates as the race to Aso Rock commences.

An Abuja based political analyst, Dr Tunmise Adediran renewed his call for an issue-based campaign, while cautioning politicians against any form of attack.

Adediran, who spoke exclusively to Blueprint in Abuja Monday, insisted that parties must play by the rules this time, saying it must be a clear departure from what was witnessed during the 2023 campaign.

Nigerians, he said, are tired of slogans, saying their expectation is issue-based campaign.

“Tell us your plan for inflation, insecurity, and jobs. If it’s just ‘they failed’ vs ‘we will fix it,’ voters will be disappointed, that I can tell you for free.” 

While charging parties to brace up, he added that the party with the clearest 4-year policy roadmap will have an early advantage because the electorates are not daft.

A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party’s plan is to “sell performance.” 

“We are going to campaign on what we have delivered in 4 years. I make bold to say that Nigerians are more enlightened now and they have seen policy working and reforms as embarked by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration are making impact.

“Building of new roads, rehabilitating and reconstruction of old roads across Nigeria, bridging and renewing of infrastructures across board, NELFUND student loans, taming insecurity and enhancing broad spectrum intelligence gathering, handling of the economy, foreign debts and reserve the way it was never done before.

“Going forward, as the ruling part, we are very optimistic that the president will be on the ballot, and our expectation is that Nigerians will reward stability over experiment.”

One African Democratic Congress (ADC) party stalwart said the party approach is straightforward:  “Our expectation is simple: rescue Nigeria. The economy is bleeding. People are hungry. We expect the campaign to be a referendum on hardship. If we stay disciplined and united, 2027 is winnable. The people are ready for change.”

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strategist, while baring his mind, said: “Our thinking is that voters are smarter now. 2023 showed that structure alone doesn’t win elections. 

“We expect a campaign driven by youth, tech, and credibility. If INEC does its job, a third force can break through. That’s our bet.”

The national publicity secretary for the Action Alliance (AA), Comrade Olu Omotoso, said its party is focusing on having a free, fair, peaceful, and credible contest on a level playing ground.

The party spokesman said: “We look forward to an election where all stakeholders are issue focused and conscious in handling the respective aspects that have to do with all concerned.

“We expect to see an election where every political party and every candidate is given equal leverage in all aspects – no federal might, no enforcement of undue incumbency, intimidation of opposition, no unholy umpire. We expect to see an election where every mind involved thinks of the nation first above any other factor.

“Good governance has eluded us in Nigeria over the years, so, 2027 should be the year where a departure is achieved by ensuring that competence and antecedents come to fore in the process of choices at the poll,” Omotosho said.