2027: Politicians Promise Again, But Can Nigerians Still Believe Them?

ABUJA — The posters are returning. The slogans are getting louder. Politicians are beginning to tour communities, court support groups and make fresh promises as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections.

But for millions of Nigerians, there is a question more important than the promises themselves:

Can they still believe the politicians making them?

It is a familiar cycle.

As elections approach, politicians unveil manifestos, print posters, erect billboards, organise rallies and visit markets, villages, town halls and social media platforms.

Then come the promises: free education, affordable healthcare, stable electricity, good roads, potable water, jobs, food security, youth empowerment, agricultural support, improved workers’ welfare, affordable housing, better security, cheap petrol, functional refineries and more opportunities for businesses.

The promises are not new.

Neither is the disappointment that often follows.

Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, campaign promises have remained a central feature of electoral politics. Presidential candidates, governors, lawmakers and local government politicians have repeatedly offered voters the prospect of a better life in exchange for their votes.

Yet, more than two decades later, many Nigerians still face the same problems.

Electricity remains unreliable. Many roads are in poor condition. Healthcare remains beyond the reach of many citizens. Unemployment and underemployment persist. Potable water remains unavailable in many communities, while insecurity, poor educational infrastructure, housing shortages and rising living costs continue to trouble households.

Now the political machine is warming up again.

The 2027 season is expected to bring rallies, motorcades, endorsements, campaign groups, social media battles and, once again, promises.

There could also be the familiar distribution of rice, beans, garri, semovita, salt, seasoning, pepper, vegetable oil and cash to selected voters.

But voters appear to be asking a different question this time.

Not: What will you promise?

But: What have you delivered before?

Promises before power, reality after power

Nigeria’s electoral politics has often produced a striking contrast between campaign rhetoric and governance.

During campaigns, politicians promise to defeat corruption, create jobs, improve electricity, strengthen schools and hospitals, fix roads, reduce poverty and improve living standards.

Once elections are over, however, some promises appear to fade.

The rallies stop. The billboards disappear. The slogans become memories.

For the voter, everyday reality returns.

That gap between campaign promises and actual delivery remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic experience.

The corruption question

Corruption illustrates the contradiction.

Successive governments have identified corruption as a major obstacle to national development and have promised stronger institutions, greater transparency, recovery of stolen funds and tougher action against corruption.

Yet allegations of mismanagement, patronage, abuse of public resources and questionable spending continue to feature prominently in national discourse.

The question is straightforward: If corruption is repeatedly described as a major problem, why does it remain so persistent?

And when politicians campaign on promises to fight it, what happens when voters see little evidence of the promised transformation?

The same challenge appears in healthcare, education, electricity, transportation, water, housing and food security.

The result is that the “better life” politicians repeatedly promise has become, for many Nigerians, a familiar campaign phrase rather than a consistent reality.

‘Don’t allow sugar-coated politicians to deceive you’ — Thompson

Daniel Thompson, a civil servant in Bayelsa State, believes voters must be more careful ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said Nigerians had heard enough promises and should stop allowing political rhetoric to determine their decisions.

“Citizens should stop trusting politicians but trust themselves by voting the right persons of their choice”, he said.

‘Campaign promises are a hoax’ — Ejegwa

For Abuja-based businessman Gabriel Ejegwa, the problem goes beyond broken promises.

He described Nigeria’s political campaigns as deeply disappointing and said the difference between political rhetoric and the reality experienced by ordinary citizens remains enormous.

“Nigeria’s elections have never been purpose-driven. Party manifestos or campaign slogans say a lot, but the reality to the common Nigerian says otherwise”, Ejegwa said.

He argued that Nigeria does not lack manifestos but accountability.

“So, do we believe in the loud words of political parties? In my opinion, it is a hoax. Until words are matched with actions, only then will the electorate begin to give attention to the endless promises of campaign slogans”, he stated.

Faro: Voters need better political education

Human rights lawyer and Principal Counsel of Idris Faro & Co., Idris Faro, offered a different perspective.

He said Nigerians should not completely lose faith in politicians because some elected officials have performed well.

Instead, he called for stronger voter education before 2027.

According to Faro, civil society organisations and other stakeholders should teach voters how to scrutinise manifestos, examine campaign promises and assess candidates’ records.

“Some elective office holders have performed well and can be trusted by the citizens”, Faro said.

He added that some politicians had positively affected their constituents through projects, policies and effective representation.

“For this group of politicians, they have the continued support of the people,” he added.

But where politicians have failed, Faro said voters should be prepared to reject them.

“This is the time for voters to employ logic and critically assess candidates and their party’s manifesto before deciding on who to support”, he said.

He urged Nigerians to consider candidates based on their records, promises and capacity to deliver.

He also encouraged voters to consider new politicians with demonstrated competence and professional accomplishments.

“We can’t make progress if we keep on recycling failed public men in Nigeria,” he warned.

Faro also urged Nigerians to reject “stomach infrastructure” — food, cash and other temporary inducements — when used as a substitute for development.

“The people, especially those who vote, should shun stomach infrastructures and use physical infrastructure to assess candidates.

“Voter education is crucial in fostering good governance and upholding the rule of law. Without this, meaningful development will not happen”, he added.

Usamot: ‘Test must come before trust’

Kayode Usamot, a Chartered Accountant and Principal Partner of Kayode A. Usamot & Co., said Nigerians should not be carried away by campaign speeches.

“Politicians will not give citizens what they deserve, but what they demand”, Usamot stated.

He urged voters to apply a tougher standard before entrusting anyone with public office.

“Test must come before trust”, he said.

According to Usamot, voters should examine a candidate’s history, previous performance, understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and ability to offer practical solutions.

He said voters should ask: What has the candidate done before? What problems has the candidate solved? Does the candidate understand Nigeria’s economic and social challenges? Are the proposed solutions realistic?

And perhaps the biggest question: Why should Nigerians believe this politician will achieve what previous politicians could not?

For Usamot, those questions should guide electoral decisions.

Dabor: ‘99.99 per cent of politicians are dishonest’

Henry Dabor, a Lagos-based businessman, expressed strong doubts about the promises likely to emerge during the 2027 campaign.

“Certainly citizens can’t trust politicians and their campaign promises when 99.99 per cent of the so-called politicians are dishonest”, Dabor asserted.

He cited the late former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, as an example of the kind of political leadership he believes should be remembered.

Comparing Jakande’s modest lifestyle and social programmes with what he described as the extravagant lifestyle of some contemporary politicians, Dabor said:

“Compare what Alhaji Lateef Jakande did for Lagosians and non-Lagosians and the life he lived, breathing his last breath in his humble Ilupeju residence, and our private-jet-flying governors of today. It’s like night and day.”

He recalled benefiting from Jakande’s educational policies.

“I read Jakande textbooks, free maths-set and didn’t pay a penny.”

He also recalled the former governor’s low-cost housing programme.

“I know so many people who bought those low-cost housing flats who knew nobody. Can anyone realistically buy a flat today in Lagos if you find any?”, he asked.

Dr Jerry: Broken promises should have consequences

Public affairs analyst and economist, Dr Oboh Sankay Jerry, believes the solution lies in accountability.

He argued that politicians should face consequences when they fail to honour their commitments, while voters should approach elections with evidence rather than emotion.

“Campaign promises should not be treated as disposable political slogans. They should be treated as commitments made to the Nigerian people.

“And when those commitments are broken, there must be political consequences. For 2027, perhaps the question should no longer be: ‘What will you promise us?’

“The question should be: ‘What have you done, how will you do it, when will you do it — and how can we hold you accountable if you fail?’”

That question could define the 2027 political season.

For Usamot, the guiding principle is simple: “Test must come before trust.”

The message from the various voices is not necessarily that Nigerians should reject every political promise. Rather, they argue that promises should be tested against records, evidence, feasibility and previous performance.

As the 2027 election approaches, candidates will once again ask Nigerians for their votes.

They will promise better roads, electricity, jobs, security, healthcare, education and a better economy.

But voters have heard these promises before.

The real test may therefore be whether politicians can explain not only what they intend to do, but how, when and with what resources they intend to do it — and how citizens can hold them accountable if they fail.

The ballot gives voters the power to choose.

Accountability determines what happens after the choice is made.

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