Connect with us

News

Special Report: From Ideology to Opportunism And The Erosion of Political Promises

Published

12 months ago

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

It’s customarily in the political sphere to, in a bid to win over supports of many eligible electorates, make a promise on things one would do as a reflection of his representation for his constituents. This act is what so many of us conventionally know as manifestos.

Politicians do make their manifestos at the wake of campaign for the support needed to pilot affairs from a certain office be it senate, house of representatives, state assemblies, governorships or presidency–in a certain community. Taking ourselves back in the past say 1950’s to 1960’s and even beyond to early 1990 one wouldn’t argue that much has changed systemically in terms of politicians keeping to the promises they make.

Revisiting The Political Ethos Of The Past

The 1950’s to 1990’s era stand in stark contrast to the later periods, where despite larger budgets, the delivery of tangible social amenities became far less efficient and impactful. The politicians of 1950-1990, for all their flaws, were fundamentally state-builders who saw the provision of social amenities as a primary duty of governance.

After the Richards Constitution of 1946, regions gained more autonomy. The fierce political competition between the three major regions North, West, and East translated into a “healthy rivalry” to provide social amenities for their people, as this was a key way to win loyalty and legitimacy.

The Western Region Under Chief Obafemi Awolowo:

Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s government was, unarguably, the most systematic and visionary in its provision of social amenities. In terms of education, this visionary leader, as at 1955, made sure the region enjoyed free primary education. It was a revolutionary policy. The Western Region became one of the first territories in Africa to introduce universal free primary education, leading to a massive explosion in literacy and creating an educated class that would dominate the civil service and professions for decades.

Similarly in the health sector of the region, the first teaching hospital in the region was established at the University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan, which became the premier medical institution in West Africa. Also, numerous general hospitals like the famous Adeoyo State Hospital in Ibadan were built, and of course specialist hospitals as well.

Furthermore, Chief Obafemi also outstandingly Initiated the first major public housing schemes in Nigeria, such as the Bodija Estate in Ibadan, providing modern, affordable housing for the middle class.

He also built the Cocoa House in Ibadan, the tallest building in tropical Africa at the time, symbolizing progress and economic ambition. Social security was introduced for the aged. These, and among others, were how governance was in the western region in the 1950’s.

The Eastern Region Under Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe And Later Dr. Michael Okpara:

The Eastern Region pursued a policy of “industrialization through agriculture,” using proceeds from cash crops like palm oil and cocoa to fund social development. Like the West, the East under the government of the duo mentioned above, made heavy investment in primary and secondary schools, creating one of the most literate populations in the country. The groundbreaking establishment of institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN)in the year 1960, which focuses on practical knowledge, agriculture, technology, and business, was part of the reasons for such milestone.

In the same vein, prompt and focused attention was given to the health sector of the region also; with so many general hospitals established to address people’s medical complaints. The University of Nigeria’s teaching hospital was established under the regional government of this era.

Moreover, there were rural development and integration focused on building roads, providing pipe-borne water for agricultural plantation by the Okpara led government.

The Northern Region Under Sir Ahmadu Bello

The Sardauna’s government focused on a “catch-up” strategy to modernize the North while preserving its cultural heritage. The educational gap between the region and the remaining two West and East was bridged by the government of the late Sadauna with the massive and aggressive educational drive that he initiated which resulted to the establishment of hundreds of primary and secondary schools.

The famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which has now become the largest and most comprehensive university in Sub-Sahara Africa–serving the North and beyond–was founded by him in the year 1962. The Sadauna’s love for education further made him to establish the Teacher Training College aimed at producing quality teaching workforce for the region.

Additionally, major groundbreaking initiatives in the health sector was also made. From Kaduna to Kano, to Sokoto, and beyond, general hospitals were established.

To curb drought and the lack of clean water phenomenon ravaging the region, he invested heavily in water supply schemes dams and treatment plants.

Sir Ahmadu Bello developed Kaduna into a modern industrial and administrative capital, with planned residential layouts and social infrastructure.

It is evident that governance at the time of these leaders mentioned was based on ideologies centered on developmental agendas that were visionary and transformative.

The Modern Playbook: When Manifestos Become Marketing Brochures:

Advert

In a stark contrast to the analysis of the political ethos of the past, this present day politicians are more of political merchants than transformative leaders having the interest of their subjects at heart.

From presidency down to the councilorship position in the country at the moment, power brokering and political opportunism have eroded the laid down transformative ideologies foundation by the past leaders. Promises during campaigns are no longer kept.

For accountability purpose, the channels television has managed, over the years, to incorporate debates and intriguing session during political campaigns aimed at making sure that politicians keep to their promises, but all to no avail.

The basic amenities as provided by the aforementioned leaders in the past administration of this country can’t even be provided by these contemporary politicians. Worst of it all is their inability to create enabling environments for citizens willing to make these provisions available for themselves. This development has prompted the question: what has gone wrong?

The Anatomy of The Failure: Unpacking The Why

Speaking with a public policy expert and a public affairs analyst, Dr. Shamsudeen Ibrahim, he made it clear that the country can not work based on federalism which we are operating with:

“I have, for long time ago, realised that Nigeria of today cannot match up with that of the past. They are entirely two distinct ideologies being used by the leaders of the both generations.”

He continued, “while the past leaders governed based on regionalism, the present leaders are governing us based on federalism. At that time, governance was seen as a competition. Not now that it’s seen as an avenue to become wealthy overnight at the expense of the subjects.”

It was understood from Dr. Shamsudeen that the first and main problem of the mess we are into now as a country is the system of government we are operating with. After the civil war, the Federal Government, fueled by oil wealth, took a central role in providing amenities, and among other things as far as governance is concerned.

Furthermore, the analyst also disclosed that godfatherism is also contributing to the setbacks in governance which the country is suffering from:

“Most politicians don’t have a voice of their own anymore due to power brokering ravaging the political landscape of the country. So, even the ones with good intentions usually become incompetent later on in the office due to the interest of the person who handed power over to them.”

Moreover, weak institutions exhibiting indifference in the crimes of political office holders was also mentioned as one of the reasons for where we are today as a country:

“Our judges are no more the hope of a common man. That’s why you see politicians committing crime in the daytime, mocking you that challenge them by telling you to go to court. They know the judges yield to their monetary offers always, and as such pass judgements in their favor,” the analyst said.

Additionally, Dr. Shamsudeen revealed that the electorates are also part of the problem of politicians not keeping to their promises after getting into office:

“Nigerians are also part of the problem we are discussing about. Most of us don’t care about performances of politicians anymore, so far he is from your own state, community or local government, it’s fine for him to be in office and go scot-free when he commits crime.”

“Politicians are sensitive, and they don’t miss any single opportunity seen to be utilized in their favor. Hence, their nonchalant attitude to keeping to promises after getting into office because they know that their subjects don’t judge them largely on that metrics any longer,” he added.

Also, engaging with a developmental economist, Opeyemi Abdulrozak, he analysed that the political sphere of Nigeria has been maligned with a high entry cost, hence, making the recuperating process undermining the provision of basic amenities:

“Political parties now see politics as an enterprise. Check the prices of forms for each of the political offices across various political parties, then you would be perplexed by how much it actually cost to enter into politics nowadays.”

He continued, “to be very honest, would you venture into initiating any social amenities program while you are yet to recover your expenses during campaigns and electioneering processes?”

Mr. Opeyemi also asserted that another core reason behind politicians not paying attention to promises they make during campaigns is the huge part of the country’s revenue that is being budgeted for servicing of debt every year:

“From the macroeconomics standpoint, huge part of the country’s revenue that is being budgeted for debt servicing, plus the inflation as a result of the volatility of the currency, and dependency on a single source of revenue generation which is oil, are also contributing factors preventing the provision of social amenities by the government.”

The economist also disclosed that the economics of procurement in Nigeria has been corrupted and comprised; stating that contracts inflation is on the rise as a result of lack of competitive bidding which, consequently, leads to increase in the cost of projects:

“Politicians award contracts to themselves nowadays, making it almost impossible for competent experts to even have the opportunity to pitch ideas talk more of executing a project. And the most painful part is that, after budgeting huge amount from the government coffers for the execution of projects, they end up not doing it and then have the funds diverted.”

When asked what his perspective is on the failure of politicians to implement manifestos, the economist replied by saying that he sees that as a lack of political will rather than economic capacity:

“The country is endowed with numerous natural resources that can generate revenue and bring about robust economy if utilized efficiently. I see the problem as a lack of political will.”

Deducing from the submissions of the both experts, it can be said that the problem is not lack of ideas, but a systemic failure driven by perverse incentives, weak institutions, and a change of political culture.

Keeping to manifestos will not die if the subjects decide to revive it by holding political office holders to account through empowered independent institutions, a more issue-based electorates, and legal frameworks for tracking campaign promises.

Related Topics:

News

NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision

Published

11 hours ago

on

September 25, 2026

By

 

 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.

The project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117 and developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, will produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak. The output will supply critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited in support of its Train 7 expansion, which will increase capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tons per annum to 30 Mtpa.

Advert

The FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives of 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting and lowered development costs. Ima is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after Iseni, Ubeta and HI.

Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described it as “a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms” that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.

NNPC Ltd. also commends the collaboration between AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, saying the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital is a template for future developments.

In a statement signed by Andy Odeh Chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to work with government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment momentum and deploy Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term prosperity.

 

Continue Reading

News

At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’

Published

16 hours ago

on

September 25, 2026

By

From Left: Alh Sabo Wada of the Kano Fire Service; Dangote Group Representative Abdulrazak Sambajo, Mr. Isah Musa of the VIO Office Kano, Mr Kassim Ibrahim Zonal Director, NAFDAC; Jonh Samuel Zonal Technical of the Dangote Cement Plc, Halima Muhammad, Dangote Feertiliser Limited and Ebaje Noah Dangoye of NASCON (Dangote Salt & Seasoning) at the 54th KANO-Jigawa MAN AGM Wednesday.

 

 

 

Manufacturers under the aegis of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) thronged the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the exhibition to seek information and clarification on the ongoing Public Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP).

The three-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kano-Jigawa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the 54th in the series, ended on Thursday, with the Dangote Group’s representative hosting participants and engaging manufacturers who expressed keen interest in the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Refinery.

The Dangote Refinery Peoples’ IPO offers Nigerians and other eligible investors an opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, thereby becoming part-owners of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects and participating in its future growth.

The Dangote Refinery IPO runs from 14 September to 13 October 2026.

Dangote Industries Limited is one of the sponsors of the 54th MAN AGM.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Sharada/Challawa Branch, Alhaji Nura S. Madugu, highlighted the mounting burden of multiple taxes, levies and charges on manufacturers, warning that the situation is increasing the cost of doing business and undermining the competitiveness of local industries.

Madugu urged the Kano State and Federal Governments to ease the tax burden on manufacturers and accelerate efforts to harmonise taxes and levies imposed on businesses.

He particularly decried the practice of double and multiple taxation, which he said continued to place additional financial pressure on manufacturers already grappling with high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, expensive financing, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods.

Advert

“We are especially concerned about instances of double and even multiple taxation, where the three tiers of government impose what is essentially the same levy under different names and different guises. This practice places our products at a serious disadvantage in their constant competition with imported goods, a disadvantage made worse by the high cost of alternative power supply and the volatility of the foreign exchange rate.

Madugu reminded the meeting of MAN’s enormous contribution to the society and provide employment to thousands of Nigerians, as well as participating actively in tax revenue generation for the country.

“We provide employment to thousands of Nigerians. We participate actively in tax revenue generation for the states and the federation through the deduction of Value Added Tax on our products, the remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn on behalf of our staff, and the payment of Withholding Tax, Education Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Company Income Tax, and a whole host of other levies too numerous to mention individually. Beyond taxation, we also discharge our Corporate Social Responsibility diligently to the communities in which we operate.

“Even though what we receive in return remains modest, we continue, in strength and in good faith, to serve this nation and to hold up its economy. We do this because we believe in Nigeria and in Kano State. But it must be said plainly,” Madugu added.

In his remarks also, MAN Chairman, Bompai/Jigawa Branch, Mohammed Bello I. Umar, appreciated the association’s members for their resilience, commitment and continued investment in the Nigerian economy despite the difficult operating environment.

He pointed out that the meeting provides the members of the association with an opportunity to reflect on its activities, review the challenges confronting their businesses, acknowledge the progress they have made, and chart a stronger course for the future of manufacturing in the country.

However, he said, the members must acknowledge that manufacturing remains under serious pressure.

He highlighted that the high cost of energy, multiple taxes and levies, inadequate infrastructure, high financing costs, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods continue to affect our competitiveness.

“One issue that requires our collective attention is the importation of contraband and substandard goods. These products undermine local manufacturers who invest heavily

“Reliable and affordable electricity remains one of the most important requirements for industrial development.

He however welcomed the ongoing electricity reforms and efforts by the Kano State Government and the State House of Assembly towards establishing a more effective electricity framework for the State.

He called for the swift implementation of reforms that will create a more reliable, competitive and affordable electricity market for industries.

He noted that manufacturers continue to provide employment, generate wealth, support local communities and contribute significantly to government revenue in production, employ Nigerians and comply with government regulations.

“We must therefore stand together and call for stronger enforcement at our borders and markets.

He urged the relevant government agencies to intensify the fight against smuggling, counterfeiting and the importation of goods that compete unfairly with locally

Continue Reading

News

NLC President Ajaero: It Is Wrong to Negotiate Minimum Wage Without Minimum Pension

Published

17 hours ago

on

September 25, 2026

By

 

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has called for the simultaneous negotiation of minimum wage and minimum pension, saying it is wrong for government and organised labour to focus on workers’ wages without addressing the welfare of retirees.

Ajaero made the call while speaking at the National Pre-Retirement Summit, held at Shehu Musa Yaradua centre in Abuja where he raised concerns over the declining purchasing power of retirement savings and pensions as a result of inflation and other economic challenges.

According to the NLC President, the experience of retirees over the years has demonstrated the need for workers and policymakers to consider what happens to employees after they leave active service.

Ajaero said the depreciation of the value of money means that savings made during a worker’s active years could lose significant purchasing power by the time the worker retires.

He explained that a worker who saves ₦1 million at a particular period could find that the real value of the savings has substantially declined over time because of inflation and the rising cost of living.

“It is wrong for us to start negotiating minimum wage without negotiating minimum pension,” Ajaero said, stressing that retirement benefits must be treated as an important component of workers’ welfare.

The NLC President said the objective of the summit was to examine ways of protecting workers from falling into poverty after retirement, particularly by ensuring that pension contributions and retirement savings are effectively managed.

Ajaero said pension fund administrators and other stakeholders in the pension industry must ensure that workers’ contributions are preserved and managed in a manner that protects their value against economic depreciation.

He said the challenge facing retirees goes beyond the amount accumulated in their pension accounts, arguing that the real value of such funds must also be considered in the face of inflation and increasing living costs.

Advert

According to him, the purpose of the discussion should be to develop mechanisms that would enable workers to enjoy a reasonable standard of living after retirement instead of becoming financially vulnerable when they leave active service.

Ajaero also questioned the adequacy of the existing provision allowing retirees to make a 25 per cent withdrawal from their retirement savings, saying such an amount may not provide sufficient financial support for retirees facing the realities of life after employment.

The NLC President called for consideration of mechanisms that would allow retirement contributions to serve as collateral for accessing funds, particularly for retirees who want to establish or manage businesses.

He argued that allowing workers to leverage their retirement savings as collateral could provide them with access to capital while preserving the broader objective of retirement security.

Ajaero said retirees who have acquired skills and experience during their years of service should be supported to use those skills to remain economically active after retirement rather than being left without adequate means of livelihood.

The labour leader also linked the removal of fuel subsidy to the declining purchasing power of pensioners, saying rising transportation and living costs can make existing pension payments inadequate.

Ajaero explained that a pensioner receiving ₦30,000, for instance, could face serious difficulties meeting basic transportation and other expenses when the cost of fuel and other essential commodities rises.

According to him, pension policy must therefore take inflation into account so that pension benefits do not lose their purchasing power as the cost of living increases.

He called for pension investments and benefits to be reviewed in line with prevailing inflationary trends, arguing that the value of retirement income should be protected against sustained increases in prices.

Ajaero further urged the National Pension Commission (PenCom), pension fund administrators and other policymakers to establish stronger channels of communication with workers and contributors.

He said workers who make regular contributions to pension schemes should have opportunities to interact directly with regulators and policymakers so that their experiences and concerns can influence decisions affecting the pension system.

The NLC President said such interaction would enable policymakers to better understand the challenges faced by contributors and retirees, particularly those struggling with the effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.

Ajaero said the labour movement would continue to advocate policies that protect workers not only during their active years but also after retirement, stressing that retirement security should remain an integral part of labour negotiations.

He said the discussions at the National Pre-Retirement Summit were therefore aimed at finding practical solutions to the challenges confronting workers and retirees and preventing poverty in old age.

The NLC President maintained that a comprehensive approach to workers’ welfare must cover both minimum wage during active employment and adequate pension after retirement, saying the two issues should not be treated separately.

Continue Reading

Trending