By Chioma Obinna

To deepen voter education ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Novel Communication Limited (NCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to publish what they described as “Nigeria’s first-ever Political Compendium” on candidates contesting in the polls.
The compendium, expected to be launched on October 1, 2026, will document and showcase the track records, achievements and campaign manifestos of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates vying for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly seats.

The agreement, signed in Abuja by NAN Managing Director, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali, and Chairman of NCL, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, marks the commencement of data gathering, interviews and other preparatory processes for the publication.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ali described the project as a groundbreaking initiative that would provide Nigerian voters with credible information needed to make informed decisions at the polls.

“This compendium will not only serve as a useful guide for prospective voters to choose the right candidates, but it will also become a fit-for-purpose reference material for academic research,” he said.
Ali said the initiative was a laudable contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s political process and democratic culture.

According to him, the publication aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would stand as “an enduring legacy that will outlive all of us.”

The NAN boss also commended the leadership of NCL for what he described as ingenuity and commitment in driving the project.

Earlier, Chairman of NCL, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, said the publication would help tackle some of the entrenched vices associated with electioneering campaigns, including indiscriminate poster defacement, vote-buying and political violence.

“One of the major drawbacks in our quest for the entrenchment of democracy and good governance is the absence of a well-articulated single publication that serves as a veritable reference document for Nigerian voters to make wise and informed choices during elections,” Jimoh said.

He explained that beyond the hard copy, the compendium would also be made available digitally on both NAN and NCL websites to ensure easy access for voters nationwide.

Jimoh said the platform would allow citizens to assess candidates based on their records and policy promises rather than “pecuniary, religious and ethnic considerations.”

He added that both organisations would seek the endorsement and support of political party leaders as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure broad acceptance and credibility of the initiative.

Jimoh expressed optimism that the publication would help reshape political campaigns in Nigeria by reducing reckless poster displays, political thuggery and vote-buying.

He also praised Ali’s leadership at NAN, saying the agency had been repositioned for efficient service delivery under his watch.

The initiative, if sustained, could mark a significant shift in voter enlightenment and accountability ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 elections.