By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has called on President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to end personal attacks and focus their anticipated 2027 presidential campaigns on policies capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and social challenges.

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as growing personal vilification, mudslinging and character assassination among supporters of the leading political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a press release issued in Abuja on Monday, November 9, 2026, and signed by its Operations Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, NACAT said political campaigns were increasingly dominated by insults and trivialities rather than serious debates on policy choices.

It said Nigeria was facing a multidimensional crisis involving economic hardship, insecurity and social instability, warning that political actors should not replace practical solutions with what it described as toxic political theatrics.

“Nigerians deserve a campaign driven by substance, intellect, and clear blueprints,” the organisation said, urging all candidates to address the structural problems affecting the country.

NACAT challenged the contenders to present measurable and realistic strategies for tackling corruption, inflation, insecurity, unemployment, human trafficking, electricity shortages and decaying infrastructure.

On corruption, it urged candidates to explain how they would strengthen anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), while protecting them from political interference.

It also called for concrete plans to deploy technology in tracking public expenditure, eliminate ghost workers and block revenue leakages in agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

On the economy, the organisation said candidates should outline practical fiscal and monetary policies to stabilise the naira, diversify foreign exchange earnings beyond crude oil and manage Nigeria’s debt sustainably.

It also urged them to explain how they would support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and reduce the rising cost of living.

Addressing insecurity, NACAT said presidential contenders must go beyond general promises to secure the country and provide comprehensive plans for intelligence-led policing, border security and the prosecution of terrorism financiers.

It also asked them to state their positions and implementation timelines on state policing and local government autonomy.

The organisation further linked economic hardship to the growing migration of Nigerian youths abroad, popularly known as the Japa phenomenon, warning that vulnerable citizens could become targets of human trafficking syndicates and modern slavery.

It called for policies to promote local employment, strengthen vocational training and create an environment capable of retaining young talents. It also urged candidates to explain how they would fund and empower the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to dismantle trafficking networks.

On infrastructure, NACAT urged the contenders to present time-bound investment plans for renewable energy, electricity grid decentralisation, rail and road networks, as well as measures to protect farmers and restore agricultural supply chains.

The organisation said the quality of leadership that would emerge from the 2027 elections would have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s future.

“The corporate survival of Nigeria hinges on the quality of leadership established in 2027. This leadership cannot emerge from a foundation of insults and evasion of accountability,” it said.

NACAT also called on the candidates to restrain their campaign organisations, media aides and supporters, urging them to communicate policy proposals rather than engage in personal attacks.

It appealed to the media, civil society organisations and the Nigerian public to demand detailed explanations from candidates at debates, town hall meetings and other public engagements.

The organisation said It would continue to monitor political campaigns and expose candidates it believes are attempting to derail the 2027 electoral discourse with distractions and political gimmickry.