Nigeria at the Crossroads: Politics, insecurity, and the road to 2027, by Hassan Ahmad
Story by Jessica Mbamah
Nigeria today stands at a decisive crossroads. Our politics is loud, our insecurity pervasive, and our economy under strain. Citizens bear the brunt of the hardship that fuels social unrest, and the welfare of millions is under threat.
National development itself hangs in the balance. Yet, amidst the pain and the broken promises, the choice remains ours: whether to drift deeper into crisis or to summon courage, honesty, and discipline to chart a new path before 2027.
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Politics Without Principle
For too long, Nigerian politics has been driven by personalities rather than institutions. Political parties function more like election vehicles than engines of development. Internal democracy is shallow, while primaries are often hijacked by money, godfatherism, and thuggery. This transactional system reduces governance to sharing appointments and contracts rather than providing security, jobs, and infrastructure.
The normalisation of political violence is especially dangerous. When leaders use thugs or state-backed intimidation to silence opposition, they weaken democracy and sow seeds of instability. Any power gained through bloodshed will never carry legitimacy. Leaders must choose peace over reckless ambition.
Insecurity on All Fronts
Banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, oil theft, and urban crime all point to a national security architecture overstretched and under-trusted. From Sokoto to Zamfara, Niger to Borno, Plateau to Rivers, ordinary Nigerians live in fear. Communities, tired of waiting for help, often resort to self-help, which too often descends into vigilante abuse and revenge killings.
Without serious reform, insecurity will worsen. Nigeria needs coordinated joint security operations in critical corridors, backed by technology such as drones and real-time surveillance. Rescue must replace ransom; special courts must speedily try kidnapping and terrorism cases; and the police must be motivated with proper housing, insurance, and training. Above all, security forces must act with neutrality and accountability—protecting the people, not serving political interests.
The Economic Storm
Nigeria’s economic reality bites hardest at the household level. Inflation erodes incomes daily. Food and transport costs have doubled. The naira’s instability punishes producers and traders alike. Young people, our greatest asset, face closed doors in employment and entrepreneurship.
Relief without reform is a sedative. Reform without relief is a spark near dry grass. Nigeria urgently needs both: short-term cushions for the poorest and credible long-term reforms that inspire confidence. Food must be treated as national security, with secured farmlands, guaranteed off-take for crops, and repaired rural roads. Power supply in industrial clusters must be stabilised to revive MSMEs. And social protection must move from vague “palliatives” to transparent, time-bound digital transfers and public works programs that pay young people to build lasting infrastructure.
READ ALSO: Broken Foundations: Local government collapse and Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, by Hassan Ahmad
What Must Be Done Before 2027
If the current administration and political leaders are sincere, they must act quickly in five areas:
1. Reset Security with unified operations, technology, and transparent prosecutions.
2. Food First—treat agriculture as a survival priority, not just a talking point.
3. FX and Power Stability to give small businesses breathing space.
4. Targeted Social Protection that restores dignity and avoids waste.
5. Rule of Law and Credible Elections—ensure security neutrality, speed up electoral cases, and prosecute sponsors of political violence.
2027: What to Expect
Three scenarios lie ahead.
Renewal (best case): Reform-minded leaders unite across parties around issue-based programs. Security improves, food inflation slows, and citizens feel visible relief. Elections are credible, turnout rises, and results are broadly accepted.
Drift (most likely if business continues as usual): Half-measures on security and economy leave citizens frustrated. Parties go into 2027 divided, primaries are chaotic, litigation multiplies, and the winner inherits a legitimacy deficit.
Disruption (worst case): Violence escalates, kidnapping spikes, and economic shocks spark street protests. Elections become more of a security operation than a civic festival, and results are widely disputed.
The choice is ours. Renewal requires courage, restraint, and accountability from leaders today—not two years from now.
A Call to Leadership
For 2027 to bring renewal, political leaders and coalitions must:
Sign a public reform compact that Nigerians can hold them accountable to.
Conduct transparent primaries that prove they can run a clean government.
Condemn and punish political thuggery immediately, without exception.
Give women and youth a true stake, not a token, but 35% of tickets and campaign leadership.
Communicate honestly, admitting setbacks and showing corrections.
The Nigeria of 2027 will reflect the choices of 2025. If leaders embrace violence, manipulation, and greed, then disruption is certain. But if they choose peace, reform, and accountability, 2027 can mark a turning of the tide.
Conclusion
Nigeria is not condemned to chaos. Our people are resilient, creative, and determined. What we lack is not capacity but sincerity and discipline in leadership. History is watching, and so is Almighty God. Let every politician, governor, and security chief remember: offices will end, but accountability will not.
The time to act is now—before 2027 becomes another wasted chance.
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