Nigerian politicians are very good at promising change, The difficult part is delivering it.

As the 2027 presidential election approaches, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are again presenting Nigerians with ambitious plans for the country.

They are criticising the Tinubu administration.

They are pointing to hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, inflation and the rising cost of living.

Those criticisms deserve public debate.

But there is another question Nigerians should ask.

If either of them gets the opportunity to govern Nigeria, how do we know the promises will actually be delivered?

That question should not be treated as an attack.

It should be the standard for every presidential candidate.

Obi’s 2023 manifesto promised a shift from consumption to production, major investment in human capital, institutional reforms, improved security, industrialisation and infrastructure.

The manifesto also contained commitments on power, healthcare, education, agriculture and employment. 

Atiku’s 2023 policy document was equally ambitious.

It included plans to increase GDP per capita, expand manufacturing, create millions of jobs, increase power generation, improve infrastructure, expand healthcare and pursue major economic reforms. 

Now Nigerians are hearing new promises for 2027.

Obi has proposed measures covering agriculture, education, security, infrastructure and electricity. He has also said he would retain the naira’s floating exchange-rate policy while focusing on increasing productivity. 

Atiku has proposed a new economic programme that includes a production-focused fuel subsidy, an economic stimulus fund and other measures aimed at reducing hardship and creating jobs. 

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But Nigerians should not simply clap.

They should ask questions.

How much will it cost?

Where will the money come from?

Which law needs to change?

How long will implementation take?

Who will be responsible?

What happens if the target is missed?

And most importantly:

What evidence shows that the people making these promises can deliver them?

This is where Nigerian elections often become problematic.

Candidates spend months explaining what they will do.

But there is rarely enough discussion about what happens when they fail.

A presidential manifesto should not be treated as a motivational speech.

It should be treated as a contract with the electorate.

If a candidate promises millions of jobs, Nigerians should ask for a measurable employment target.

If a candidate promises more electricity, Nigerians should ask how many megawatts, by what year and at what cost.

If a candidate promises to reduce insecurity, Nigerians should ask what indicators will determine whether the promise has been achieved.

If a candidate promises cheaper food, Nigerians should ask what specific policies will reduce production, transportation and distribution costs.

If a candidate promises restructuring, Nigerians should ask exactly what powers will move from Abuja to the states and how the transition will be financed.

And if a candidate promises to fight corruption, Nigerians should ask whether the same rules will apply to political allies.

This applies to Obi.

It applies to Atiku.

It applies to Tinubu.

It applies to every presidential candidate.

Nobody should receive a blank cheque simply because they are campaigning against the incumbent.

The opposition cannot demand accountability from the government and then ask Nigerians to suspend accountability when the opposition becomes the government.

That would simply replace one set of promises with another.

The 2027 election should therefore be about more than “Tinubu has failed” or “we will do better.”

Show the numbers.

Show the implementation plan.

Show the funding source.

Show the timeline.

Show the people who will execute it.

And explain what Nigerians should do if the promises are not delivered.

That is the standard Nigeria needs.

Because Nigerians have heard enough promises.

They need measurable commitments.

They need public records.

They need deadlines.

They need consequences for failure.

And they need politicians who understand that winning an election does not mean receiving four years of unquestioned trust.

If Obi or Atiku gets the chance, Nigerians should not give them a honeymoon from accountability.

The same questions being asked of Tinubu today should be waiting for whoever occupies Aso Rock tomorrow.

Campaigning is easy.

Governing is the test.

And Nigerians should demand the evidence before handing anyone the keys.

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