By Eniola Elewude

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has urged political parties and candidates to prioritise Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in their manifestos ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made the call on Tuesday at a workshop for state chapter coordinators on engaging political parties and candidates and developing a WASH Charter of Demand and Vote for WASH Pledge Card.

The workshop was themed: “From Political Promises to Accountable WASH Commitments: Strengthening the Vote for WASH Campaign for the 2027 General Elections.”

Attah said the initiative would strengthen advocacy and encourage political actors to make measurable commitments to improving access to safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services.

He said the workshop would also review the 2023 Vote for WASH campaign, identify lessons and develop strategies to improve engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We know we did our very best at the last election and achieved very good result before and after the 2023 general elections but we must be ready to do better than we did in 2023,” he said.

Attah identified non-functional water facilities, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, poor maintenance and insufficient funding as major challenges facing the sector.

He also cited open defecation and inadequate WASH facilities in schools, healthcare institutions and underserved communities as concerns requiring urgent attention.

According to him, poor water and sanitation services increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases, while inadequate facilities in healthcare institutions undermine infection prevention and quality of care.

He added that poor school sanitation affects children’s wellbeing and learning environments, while inadequate household water and sanitation services place additional burdens on women and girls.

Attah also identified flooding, drought and water scarcity associated with climate change as threats to water resources and sanitation infrastructure.

“WASH must not be treated merely as a campaign promise. It must be recognised as a governance responsibility supported by clear policies, adequate financing, effective implementation and public accountability,” he said.

He said the proposed WASH Charter of Demand would provide a common platform for NEWSAN and its partners to present citizens’ priorities to presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly candidates.

“The Vote for WASH Pledge Card would enable political parties and candidates to acknowledge the demands and publicly commit to advancing them if elected,” he said.

Attah urged state chapter coordinators to ensure that the demands were clear, measurable and responsive to local needs.

The priorities include increased and sustainable WASH funding, improved access to safe water, efforts to end open defecation, and better facilities in schools and healthcare institutions.

Others are stronger sector governance and accountability, climate-resilient WASH services and equitable access for rural communities, low-income households, women, children and persons with disabilities.

He also called for transparent budgeting, timely release of funds, effective expenditure tracking and sustainable maintenance of water facilities.

Attah said Nigeria’s commitment to ending open defecation by 2030 should remain a key advocacy priority.

He stressed that political commitments must translate into policies, budgetary allocations, fund releases and improved service delivery rather than end with signing pledge cards.

Attah urged state coordinators to take ownership of the campaign, leveraging their knowledge of local WASH challenges, institutions and civil society networks to engage political leaders.

The workshop is part of NEWSAN’s efforts to strengthen the Vote for WASH campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade