Governorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress across the seven North-West states have unveiled a joint agenda aimed at tackling insecurity, improving development and raising the standard of living in the region if elected in the 2027 elections.
The candidates made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja while signing the North-West ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031, a regional pact focused on security, economic development and citizens’ welfare.
Under the agreement, the candidates pledged to declare emergencies on insecurity and education while deploying drones, surveillance technology and rapid-response networks to combat banditry and other security threats.
They also proposed the establishment of a North-West Regional Security Coordination Centre to improve cooperation and intelligence sharing among the seven states.
The candidates said insecurity had severely affected farming, education and livelihoods across the region, with thousands of people killed or displaced in recent years.
They further promised to strengthen agriculture through protected farming corridors, irrigation rehabilitation, livestock development, agro-processing and the establishment of a regional grain reserve.
On education, the ADC candidates pledged to declare an emergency in the sector, improve teacher recruitment and training, support girls’ education and integrate Almajiri and Tsangaya children into formal schools.
They also promised to establish a specialist hospital in each of the 21 senatorial districts of the North-West and improve access to primary healthcare, telemedicine and community health insurance.
The candidates criticised the current state of development in the region despite substantial federal allocations, arguing that public resources had not translated into adequate infrastructure, healthcare, education and improved living conditions.
As part of their economic agenda, the candidates pledged to implement a N110,000 minimum wage across the seven North-West states if elected.
They also promised to coordinate development across state boundaries, improve cross-border trade, share data, develop joint infrastructure and pursue common regional investment initiatives.
The candidates said their compact was designed to promote people-centred governance and ensure that government resources produce measurable improvements in the lives of residents across the North-West.
