The 10-Point Agenda: Score Your Candidate Before You Vote

Every election cycle, Nigerians are asked to choose between candidates whose manifestos are either vague, unavailable, or indistinguishable from one another. INP's 10-Point Agenda exists to change that dynamic — not by telling you who to vote for, but by giving you a principled framework to evaluate anyone who asks for your vote.

How to use the scorecard

Before election day, find your candidate's manifesto or public statements. Then go through each of the 10 points and ask: does this candidate have a clear, costed, time-bound commitment on this issue? Score them 0 (no position), 1 (vague commitment), or 2 (specific, measurable plan).

The 10 questions to ask every candidate

1. No Poverty: What specific social protection programmes will you fund, and how?
2. Food Security: How will you support smallholder farmers and reduce food insecurity?
3. Healthcare: What is your plan for primary health centres and the National Health Insurance Scheme?
4. Education: Will you meet the 26% budget allocation? How will you address out-of-school children?
5. Gender Equality: Do you commit to 35% affirmative action in appointments?
6. Clean Water: What is your WASH investment plan for your constituency?
7. Decent Work: How will you create jobs for young Nigerians?
8. Infrastructure: What is your power and roads plan?
9. Climate Action: How will you protect communities from floods and environmental degradation?
10. Justice and Institutions: How will you strengthen anti-corruption agencies and ensure electoral integrity?

A candidate who scores below 10 out of 20 has not earned your vote. A candidate who refuses to engage with these questions at all has told you everything you need to know.

Print this. Share it. Use it. Your vote is the most powerful tool you have — use it with intention.