Former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
Moving away from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nwajiuba announced that he will be seeking the nation’s top office on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The seasoned politician, who also served two terms in the House of Representatives, explained that his move is fueled by a desire to usher in a new era of leadership based strictly on competence.
Having previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), he noted that the current state of the country demands a leader with a profound grasp of policy and the practical experience to implement meaningful change.
Addressing his supporters and the press, Nwajiuba criticized the reliance on political slogans that lack real-world impact.
He argued that the complex socio-economic issues facing Nigeria cannot be fixed by mere words but require strategic negotiation and a deep-rooted connection to grassroots political structures.
“Nigeria’s challenges cannot be solved by slogans or emotional speeches alone. What we need is leadership anchored on clear policies, competence, and the ability to negotiate solutions that work for the people,” he said.
The legal professional, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, highlighted his extensive background in both the executive and legislative branches of government. He maintained that his career has provided him with a unique, holistic view of public finance and national governance.
“My time in the legislature, the executive, and national institutions has prepared me for the task of leading a complex country like Nigeria,” he added.
Nwajiuba’s entry into the race under the ADC marks a significant shift in the political landscape as parties begin to realign for 2027.
However, the former minister declaration follows a pattern of high-profile departures from the major parties as aspirants seek alternative platforms to challenge the status quo.
Recall Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Peter Obi and other prominent South-East leaders recently collapsed their structures into the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition aimed at the 2027 polls.