INEC has finally spoken.
18 presidential candidates for January 16, 2027 which I am sure MOST OF YOU ARE NOT AWARE.
Nigeria my father’s land…
Let me summarize it for you in one sentence: The same class captains from our parents’ secondary school are still running for head boy.
APC: Tinubu 74 / Shettima 59
ADC: Atiku 79 / Amaechi 61
NDC: Obi 65 / Kwankwaso 69
I read that list twice. 16 men. 2 women. Average age hovering around 60+.
In a country where 70% of us are under 30.
And we say we are the leaders of tomorrow?
Tomorrow never comes.
Let’s be real and a little controversial: This is not a presidential race.
This is a reunion.
Atiku and Amaechi now on the same ticket?
Obi and Kwankwaso — two men who couldn’t agree in 2023 — now sharing one poster?
Tinubu seeking re-election with the same combo?
What ideology is left?
What is ADC?
What is NDC?
We are not voting parties anymore, we are voting personalities who change jerseys but keep the same game.
As a young Nigerian and a student leader, I am not impressed by the number 18.
I am worried by it.
18 parties, but no young party. 18 candidates, but only 2 women — Ada Okwori and Nkem Okereke — who most Nigerians haven’t even heard of because they get zero media push.
My problem is not that these men are old. My problem is that we have built a system where you must be old, rich, and recycled to be considered “presidential.”
Where are the 35-year-old hospital owners?
The 40-year-old tech founders employing 200 people?
The women running markets and classrooms?
They are too busy building real Nigeria to afford a nomination form.
So here is my spicy take: 2027 will not be decided by who is on that list. It will be decided by whether young people finally stop tweeting and start structuring.
Because if we don’t, in 2031, INEC will release another list.
Same names.
Just add 4 years to their ages.
And we will be in the comment section again, shouting.
Will you be on the ballot or just in the banter?
