By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, has told all those seeking elective positions to, as a matter of priority, build their manifestos around the eight key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, for real governance results.

It also said that campaigns should be issue-based, warning that the era of mere rhetoric to hoodwink the electorate was over.

Operating under the umbrella of the Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative, CSCHEI, the group challenged all candidates, particularly governorship hopefuls, to align their policy blueprints with eight priority SDGs drawn from the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The coalition, in a statement by its Director-General, Hon. Kunle Yusuff, said the move is aimed at institutionalising issue-based campaigns and ensuring that electoral promises translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

It emphasised that political manifestos must no longer be treated as campaign literature, but as binding governance frameworks.

“Manifestos are not mere campaign documents. Upon election, they become government programmes, projects and budget lines. They determine whether Nigerians receive the true dividends of democracy,” the coalition declared.

It demanded people-centered, data-driven pledges with clear timelines—no more vague promises.

CSCHEI, a United Nations-recognised platform coordinating, supervising and promoting accredited CSOs and CBOs for socio-political, economic development and democracy in Nigeria, stressed the need for people-centred, data-driven and time-bound policy commitments, warning against vague pledges that lack implementation clarity.

The coalition said following consultations and an assessment of Nigeria’s sub-national development gaps, it identified eight SDGs as critical benchmarks for serious candidates, noting that they fall within the constitutional responsibilities of state governments and can deliver visible results within a single term.

On SDG 4, which is on quality education, it stated that candidates are expected to commit to free basic education, comprehensive teacher training, technology-driven learning, upgraded school infrastructure and vocational centres across all local government areas.

Also on SDG 3, which is on good health and well-being, it said priorities include functional primary healthcare centres in every ward, health insurance for the informal sector, maternal and child health programmes, and reforms in the drug supply chain.

SDG 8 centers on decent work and economic growth, and the proposed interventions include state-backed SME funds, youth entrepreneurship hubs, ease-of-doing-business reforms and agro-processing zones to stimulate job creation.

SDG 2 is on zero hunger, and CSCHEI wants candidates to promote mechanised agriculture, irrigation systems, state food reserves, school feeding programmes and farmer-input subsidies.

The coalition called for investments in rural water schemes, urban sanitation infrastructure, eradication of open defecation and the revitalisation of state water boards.

On SDG 9, which centers on industry, innovation and infrastructure, it said focus areas should include rural road networks, mini-grid power solutions, broadband expansion, industrial parks and public-private partnerships for infrastructure delivery.

According to the coalition, the selected SDGs have direct, everyday impact on citizens and are achievable within a governor’s executive powers and budget cycle.

It added that progress in these areas would have multiplier effects across other development indicators, including poverty reduction, gender equality, reduced inequality and sustainable urban development.

To ensure accountability, the coalition outlined a set of concrete demands for candidates and elected officials:
Public Commitment: All candidates must adopt the eight SDGs and present detailed, costed and time-bound implementation plans in their manifestos.

It said that the SDG manifesto debate series will commence in May 2026 across the six geopolitical zones, providing a platform for candidates to defend their proposals before citizens and the media.

The coalition said it will deploy a national scorecard system to monitor and publish quarterly reports on compliance with SDG-aligned commitments.

Describing the initiative as a “national assignment,” the coalition warned that Nigeria cannot afford another electoral cycle driven by vague promises and weak accountability.

It called on the media, development partners and the electorate to demand issue-based campaigns centred on sustainable development outcomes.

The debate series, it added, forms part of the broader programme of the National Council of Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026, aimed at strengthening civic engagement and aligning governance with global development standards.

Beyond elections, the coalition outlined a broader mandate that includes coordinating accredited civil society groups, promoting transparency, fostering partnerships with development agencies and advancing civic education.

It also pledged to institutionalise citizen-led accountability mechanisms to ensure that governments at all levels deliver measurable democratic dividends in line with global best practices.

Reaffirming its guiding principle of “Nigeria First,” the coalition said all its interventions would prioritise national interest, sustainable development and the welfare of citizens.

Yusuff reiterated the coalition’s commitment to shaping a governance culture anchored on responsibility, transparency and results.