Social activist Aisha Yesufu has urged opposition figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar to reshape their political messaging as Nigeria gradually moves toward the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu said campaign strategies must reflect the harsh economic realities faced by many Nigerians, noting that hunger and the rising cost of living now dominate public concerns across the country.
She made the remarks in a post shared on the social media platform X on Thursday, where she argued that the worsening economic situation has pushed many citizens into survival mode.
According to her, ordinary Nigerians are no longer primarily motivated by political rhetoric or campaign promises. Instead, their immediate concern is how to afford food and other basic necessities amid mounting economic pressure.
The activist observed that the severity of economic hardship has weakened the ability of many citizens to engage deeply with political arguments or policy debates.
She advised opposition leaders to begin communicating with voters in ways that directly connect with the everyday struggles faced by households, suggesting that campaign messages must acknowledge the realities confronting people across the country.
Yesufu also stressed that political campaigns should combine policy discussions with practical gestures that demonstrate a clear understanding of the hardship experienced by citizens.
She argued that the economic strain currently affecting households did not emerge by accident, claiming that conditions had gradually eroded the purchasing power of many Nigerians while the prices of food and other essential items continued to rise.
She wrote: “Citizens were deliberately impoverished, monies taken away from their pockets and food made expensive so that little tokens will matter to them.
“As we go into the 2027 election, the opposition must campaign to the people in the language the people will understand.
“For those who need bread, give them bread with your picture on it. For those who need policies, give them policy documents with your picture on it.
“A hungry man or woman cannot reason. He or she just wants the rumbling in their tummy to stop.”
