Ahead of the 2027 elections, major socio-political groups have called for deeper scrutiny of 2027 presidential candidates, saying Nigerians deserve to know the backgrounds and records of those seeking political power.
The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, initiated the call, arguing that candidates should be prepared to account for their educational history, integrity, achievements and past conduct.
The position has since attracted support from the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and the Middle Belt Forum, MBF.
However, Afenifere cautioned that while examining the backgrounds of 2027 presidential candidates was important, moral judgments could be subjective and should not override the legal requirements for public office.
The Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Baba, said Nigerians were justified in demanding answers from anyone seeking the country’s highest political office.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Baba said presidential aspirants should expect their personal and professional histories to come under public examination.
He argued that certificates alone should not determine the credibility of a candidate.
“The certificate is not as important as the story itself. It has to be straight. It has to be consistent.”
According to Baba, leadership requires transparency, particularly because decisions taken by a president affect millions of Nigerians.
He said the country’s leadership selection process needed stronger standards and greater accountability.
Baba, however, noted that Nigerians were ultimately more concerned about the practical impact of governance.
He listed healthcare, education, housing, transportation and household welfare among the issues that matter most to citizens.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, also supported the demand for greater transparency from 2027 presidential candidates.
Igali said anyone seeking public office should be willing to disclose his or her life journey to the people seeking to elect them.
He compared political contests to employment applications, arguing that employers routinely demand information about applicants’ previous experiences before making decisions.
According to him, voters should similarly understand the strengths and weaknesses candidates bring into public service.
Igali rejected the argument that only a candidate’s present position should matter.
He maintained that an individual’s history could provide important information about how the person might perform in office.
The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, described the ACF position as an appropriate starting point for evaluating 2027 presidential candidates.
Pogu said aspirants should campaign on their records rather than promises alone.
He argued that every candidate should have a demonstrable scorecard that voters can examine before making their choices.
According to him, Nigerians should be able to determine whether a candidate has previously demonstrated the capacity to positively influence the country.
Pogu said proper scrutiny would help voters make informed decisions and discourage the election of individuals whose records remain unclear.
Afenifere’s General Secretary, Chief Ademola Folarin, agreed that examining candidates’ backgrounds could be useful but warned against making morality the ultimate standard for determining eligibility.
He said moral judgments could differ depending on individual perceptions and interests.
According to Folarin, legal requirements remain more definitive because they are established by statutes and the Constitution.
He argued that while voters could disagree over a candidate’s moral record, questions of legal qualification could be determined through established legal processes.
Folarin therefore maintained that the ultimate test for 2027 presidential candidates should include legal qualification, competence and the ability to meet the aspirations and needs of Nigerians.
The debate over candidates’ backgrounds comes as political parties and aspirants increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ACF, PANDEF and MBF believe greater scrutiny could help voters assess candidates beyond campaign rhetoric.
Afenifere, however, has emphasised the distinction between public morality and legal eligibility.
Ultimately, the competing positions point to a broader question ahead of 2027: how thoroughly should Nigerians examine the people seeking their votes?
For the groups supporting greater scrutiny, the answer is clear — voters should know the history, records and capabilities of 2027 presidential candidates before entrusting them with political power.
