2027: CSOs demand SDG-based manifestos from candidates
A coalition of civil society organisations has issued a strong call to candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to align their manifestos with eight priority Sustainable Development
- ...to host nationwide debate series, introduce post-election scorecards
A coalition of civil society organisations has issued a strong call to candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to align their manifestos with eight priority Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) critical to Nigeria’s development.
The group, operating under the umbrella of the Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), said the move is aimed at shifting political campaigns from rhetoric to measurable, people-centred governance outcomes.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Kunle Yusuff, on Wednesday, the coalition challenged all aspirants, particularly governorship candidates, to adopt the selected SDGs and present clear, costed, and time-bound implementation plans.
“As the 2027 General Elections draw near, we set the agenda for issue-based campaigns and governance. Manifestos are not mere campaign documents. Upon election, they become government policy programmes, projects, and budget lines”, the statement read.
The coalition identified eight SDGs it described as “non-negotiable” for serious candidates, noting that they fall within the constitutional responsibilities of state governments and can deliver visible results within a four-year tenure.
These include quality education, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, industry and infrastructure, peace and strong institutions, and climate action.
According to the group, aligning governance priorities with these goals would not only address immediate development challenges but also accelerate progress across other areas such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable urban development.
To ensure accountability, the coalition announced plans to convene a “Governorship SDG Manifesto Debate Series” across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones beginning in May 2026. The debates, it said, would provide a platform for candidates to defend their policy proposals before citizens and the media.
Beyond the elections, CSCHEI said it would deploy a national monitoring framework to track compliance, promising quarterly scorecards assessing how elected officials deliver on their SDG commitments.
“This is a national assignment. Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of governance without direction. The era of manifestos without accountability is over”, the statement added.
The coalition also called on the media, development partners, and the electorate to demand issue-based campaigns, insisting that votes in 2027 must be tied to sustainable development outcomes.
CSCHEI noted that the initiative forms part of the broader programme of the 2026 National Council of Civil Society Organisations Summit, which seeks to strengthen coordination among civil society groups and institutionalise citizen-led accountability in governance.
Reaffirming its guiding principle of “Nigeria First,” the group said all engagements would prioritise national interest, sustainable development, and improved welfare for citizens.
