Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has urged Nigerians to make informed choices when electing leaders in the 2027 presidential election.
Agbakoba said the country’s persistent challenges, including rising food prices, inadequate healthcare, a struggling education system and limited employment opportunities, made it necessary for Nigerians to carefully assess the candidates seeking their votes.
The legal practitioner made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday while discussing the forthcoming 2027 general election.
He said Nigerians should not assume that their votes cannot influence the direction of the country, arguing that citizens have the power to determine who leads them through the ballot box.
Agbakoba noted that Nigeria’s large population compared with the relatively small number of politicians meant that citizens ultimately held the power to select their representatives.
However, he expressed concern that voters sometimes give away their votes without considering the consequences of their choices.
According to him, such decisions could result in elected officials taking actions that do not reflect the interests or needs of the people.
He urged Nigerians to pay attention to the character, leadership capacity and ability of presidential candidates to bring about meaningful changes, rather than their ethnic or other backgrounds.
Agbakoba said: “As we approach this critical time, we need to choose our leaders carefully. In the past, our choices have not always served us well, and the consequences are evident in our daily lives.
“Look around; some of the major issues we face include rising food costs, inadequate healthcare, a struggling education system, and a lack of job opportunities, especially for our growing youth population. These challenges are significant, and the politicians we elect play a vital role in addressing them.
“It doesn’t matter where candidates come from or what they look like; what matters is their ability to lead with discipline, inspire change, and make a meaningful impact.”
He added that Nigerians could create change by making informed decisions at the ballot box.
Agbakoba’s call comes as political parties and potential presidential candidates begin positioning ahead of the 2027 general election.
‘It’s evident in our lives, leaders have failed’ – Agbakoba advises Nigerians on 2027