The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidates in Nigeria's seven Northwest states have signed a joint compact in Abuja, committing to a minimum wage of N110,000 and the construction of 21 specialist hospitals across the region if they win the 2027 elections.
The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Yar'adua Centre in Abuja, where the candidates formalised the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates' Compact 2027–2031. The document outlines a shared regional agenda focused on security, development, and prosperity.
Key Pledges: Minimum Wage and Healthcare
Currently, Nigeria's national minimum wage stands at N70,000, though some states pay above this figure. The N110,000 promised by the ADC candidates represents a 70 per cent increment for workers in the seven Northwest states: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Zamfara.
Beyond wage increases, the compact includes pledges to declare emergencies on both insecurity and education, deploy drones and technology-driven surveillance, and establish a Northwest Regional Security Coordination Centre. According to the candidates, this centre would enhance early warning systems and rapid-response networks across the region's 21 senatorial districts.
Food Security and Agricultural Plans
The communiqué, read by former Attorney General of the Federation and Kebbi State ADC governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, SAN, also addressed food security. It stated: "We will ensure more land is safely farmed, and our food security is strengthened through protected agricultural corridors, formalised livestock production, agro-processing, a regional grain reserve and irrigation rehabilitation."
Malami, who read the communiqué aloud after the signing, said the candidates had adopted a regional covenant built around security, people-centred governance, and responsible reforms, with citizens' welfare as a key priority.
Criticism of APC-Led Governments
The ADC candidates were critical of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations across the Northwest. They accused the APC-led governments of what they described as massive and unprecedented looting, arguing that the region had little to show for years of governance in terms of infrastructure, development, or security.
They also alleged that sitting governors lived in luxury, pointing to extravagant government houses, exotic vehicles, and private jet travel, while ordinary citizens bore the weight of poverty. The candidates pledged to run their governments differently.
Attendance and Signatories
Apart from Malami, those who attended and signed the compact in person included Manir Mohammad Dan'iya of Sokoto, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu of Jigawa, and Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi of Zamfara. The Katsina candidate, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita, was represented by his deputy, Aminu Yar'adua Ahmed. Kaduna candidate Isa Mohammed Ashiru sent his deputy, Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku, while Kano candidate Ibrahim Ali Amin was represented by his deputy, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu.
The Northwest geopolitical zone, one of Nigeria's most densely populated regions, continues to grapple with serious challenges around security, healthcare, and education. With the Independent National Electoral Commission signalling the start of the 2027 governorship campaign for September 9, these issues are expected to dominate political discourse across the region in the months ahead.
