2027: Northwest ADC Candidates Promise ₦110,000 Minimum Wage, Security Reforms

Governorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nigeria’s seven Northwest states have pledged to pay workers a minimum wage of ₦110,000 and make security a major priority if elected in the 2027 elections.

The candidates made the commitments after signing the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031 at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The agreement sets out a joint agenda focused on security, economic development and improved public services.                                                              

                                                     

Under the agreement, the candidates promised to declare emergencies on insecurity and education while introducing technology-driven surveillance, including drones, to strengthen efforts against banditry and kidnapping.

They also proposed establishing a Northwest Regional Security Coordination Centre and rapid-response networks across the region’s 21 senatorial districts to improve intelligence sharing and responses to security threats.

The candidates further pledged to establish one specialist hospital in each senatorial district, meaning 21 specialist hospitals across the seven states. They also promised to improve primary healthcare, education, agricultural production, infrastructure and access to basic services.

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Kebbi State ADC governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, who read the communique, said the region faces serious security, economic and social challenges that require coordinated action.

The candidates said they would work together on issues that cross state boundaries while maintaining the constitutional responsibilities of individual state governments. Their proposed areas of cooperation include security, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and data sharing.

The ₦110,000 wage pledge would represent an increase above Nigeria’s current statutory national minimum wage of ₦70,000. However, implementation would depend on the financial capacity and budgetary decisions of individual states if the candidates are elected.

With political activities ahead of the 2027 elections expected to intensify, security, workers’ welfare, education, healthcare and economic development are likely to remain major issues in the Northwest campaign.