Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former Minister of State for Education under late Muhammadu Buhari, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Nwajiuba, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, said Nigeria’s current challenges demand leadership rooted in sound policies, effective negotiation skills, and strong grassroots political engagement rather than political rhetoric.

In a statement released by his office on Monday, the former minister said his experience across the legislature, executive arm of government, and key national institutions has equipped him with a deep understanding of governance, public finance, and policy formulation.

The Buhari’s minister is expected to anchor his campaign on education reform, economic stabilisation, and the restoration of public trust in government institutions, areas he believes are critical to national development.

According to the statement, Nwajiuba, a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989 and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is entering the race with what he described as a “competence-first” approach to leadership.

His declaration, the statement noted, positions experience, policy depth, and institutional knowledge as central pillars of national governance.

Nwajiuba’s entry into the presidential race on the ADC platform adds a new dimension to the evolving 2027 contest, as smaller political parties increasingly seek to offer alternative leadership options to Nigerians.

“With his declaration, Nwajiuba joins a growing list of aspirants aiming to shape the national conversation ahead of the next general election, as debates around competence, experience and inclusive governance continue to gain momentum,” the statement added. (TRIBUNE)