By Bashir Hassan, Bauchi
A coalition of civil society organisations, media organisations and other stakeholders in Bauchi State has unveiled plans to organise a two-day citizens’ dialogue with senatorial candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event, tagged People’s Mandate Dialogue 2026, is scheduled for December 2 and 3, 2026, in Bauchi metropolis and will provide a platform for candidates contesting the three senatorial seats to engage directly with citizens on their policy proposals, legislative priorities and strategies for addressing pressing developmental challenges.
The initiative is being organised by the Young Leaders Network (YLN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, Albarka Radio, BASNEC, Thamani, HnG Media Consultancy, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other partners.
According to the organisers, the dialogue will focus on critical areas of public interes, including education, healthcare, security, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, poverty reduction, youth and women’s inclusion, as well as transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
They explained that citizens’ questions and documented community needs would form the basis of discussions, with candidates expected to outline practical approaches to addressing the concerns through their legislative responsibilities.
These responsibilities include lawmaking, budgetary processes and legislative oversight.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Nicholas Afeso Oshojah, the organisers disclosed that six political parties had satisfied the eligibility requirements by fielding candidates for all three senatorial seats and the 12 House of Representatives constituencies in the state.
The parties include the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The organisers emphasised that the dialogue would be strictly non-partisan and independently conducted, noting that no financial or material contributions would be accepted from political parties or candidates.
They said the initiative was aimed at strengthening informed voter participation, promoting peaceful and issue-based political engagement, and encouraging sustained accountability beyond the 2027 general elections.
The statement further clarified that the engagement was not designed to endorse, promote or rank any candidate but to provide citizens with an opportunity to assess their representatives based on ideas, policy commitments and proposed solutions to community challenges.
It added that details of a separate engagement with House of Representatives candidates would be announced in due course.
