Abubakar Malami And The Northwest Regional Campaign Manifesto, by Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Experts define campaign manifesto as a public declaration published by a political party or candidates seeking elective office before an election that outlines their core beliefs, proposed policies, and specific promises they will execute if they win. It is a statement of intent that explains why the candidate or party is running and what values they represent. Essentially, it details specific plans for the areas of focus like the economy, health, education and security while stating goals/deliverables, timelines, action plans or methods of how they intend to achieve the stated goals.

Generally, a campaign manifesto is expected to guide the electorates to make electoral decision for it helps the voters compare different options and decide which candidate or party best fits their views or represent their interests. Ideally, it is important for accountability; it serves as a benchmark for the public and the electorates to hold elected officials responsible for their promises, actions and conducts while in office.

But, there is no one-size-fits-all manifesto. A campaign manifesto depends on the need, the environment and the political philosophy of the one seeking elective position. Leaders and elected officials are supposed to come to serve the people. They are supposed to identify the need of the people that they have come to serve and try to provide for it. They are supposed to identify the problem and the challenges of the people and try to solve or mitigate them. They are problem solvers and solution providers who work for the interests of the people. They are also supposed to know the potentials of the people or the region they lead or represent and strive to develop them. So, in essence, by the manifesto of any contestant, one can gauge to some extent his grasp of what he knows about the people and the region that he wants to represent.

It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to look at Abubakar Malami and the other ADC gubernatorial candidates’ for northwest campaign manifesto jointly released on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Abubakar Malami, SAN, is contesting for the governorship of Kebbi State under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The manifesto, formally structured as the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031, was signed and presented during a ceremony at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Malami, who is the former Attorney-General of the Federation and the current ADC governorship candidate for Kebbi State, read the joint communiqué detailing their collective agenda.

Because the Northwest region has a common issues, therefor the aspiring governorship candidates decided to present a common manifesto which will signal cohesion and regional development initiative. A peep into the manifesto shows that their focus is on healthcare reform, Agriculture, education and regional security. In his address to the press during the presentation, Malami pledged among things to run an issue-based campaign rather than relying on ethnic or personality-driven politics. He stated that his platform aims to rescue and reposition Kebbi State through transparent service.

And the key highlights from the joint manifesto include: expansion of access to basic healthcare and they plan to build 21 specialist hospital, one for each senatorial district and to improve the primary healthcare centers. In education, they plan to declare a state of emergency in the sector, aggressively support girls-child education and integrate the Almajiri children into formal classrooms. In the area of security, they plan to deploy technology-enabled surveillance, use drones, and build a regional security coordination center to protect communities ravaged by insurgency and banditry. In the area of the economy, they plan to revitalize farming to boost local food production, create jobs, and support small businesses. They also plan to implement a regional minimum wage of N110,000 for workers across the seven states in order to improve workers’ welfare.

No doubt, the presentation of a joint manifesto by Malami and the ADC gubernatorial candidates in the Northwest region is a novel idea. It is a progressive idea that will promote synergy, cooperation and accelerate regional development and transformation. It shows clearly that the gubernatorial candidates are willing to work to develop the Northwest region if elected. And most importantly, the contents of the joint manifesto shows that the candidates understand the major challenges and the needs of the people. In the second part of this essay, I will look at the structure of the northwest regional/Kebbi State economy/environment and see how the manifesto addresses their challenges.

To be continued.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK.