Nigerians, Take Back Your Country Come 2027: The Media Must Do Better -By Kingsley Chidubem Ezeruo

As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, one conversation deserves far greater attention: the responsibility of the Nigerian media to hold political leaders accountable for what they say, what they promise, and what they have done.

Nigeria’s political problems cannot be blamed solely on politicians. The quality of our democracy is also influenced by the quality of information available to citizens. The media, therefore, has a critical responsibility to scrutinise those seeking political power and provide Nigerians with the facts they need to make informed choices.

Unfortunately, there are times when sections of the conventional media appear to give politicians an easy ride.

A politician appears on television today and confidently says “black”, even though the same politician previously stood before Nigerians and said “white”.

What should a responsible journalist do?

Play the old video.

Play the previous interview. Put the politician’s own words on the screen and ask a simple question:

“Sir/Madam, this is what you said previously. Today you are saying the exact opposite. What changed?”

That is not hostility.

That is journalism.

Politicians are entitled to change their opinions. Circumstances change, new facts emerge and people can genuinely reconsider their positions. But when a politician changes a significant position, Nigerians deserve to know why.

The media should therefore stop treating political interviews as opportunities for politicians to deliver rehearsed speeches and talking points without serious scrutiny.

Before a politician appears on a major programme, journalists should do their homework.

Examine previous interviews. Review speeches and campaign promises. Examine parliamentary records where applicable. Look at policies implemented while the politician was in office. Compare what was promised with what was delivered.

Then ask the difficult questions.

Don’t just interview politicians. Cross-examine their records.

Stop Giving Politicians a Free Ride

There is nothing wrong with journalists being courteous to their guests. Professional journalism requires civility and fairness.

But civility must never become servility.

Politicians seeking the votes and confidence of millions of Nigerians should be prepared to defend their records and explain their positions.

A politician should not be allowed to say one thing today, contradict it years later and expect the media to forget.

The journalist’s responsibility is not to embarrass a politician. It is to ensure that the Nigerian public receives enough reliable information to make an informed decision.

The Nigerian voter deserves better.

Where Is the 2027 Presidential Debate?

This brings me to a direct question for Nigeria’s major media organisations:

NTA. AIT. Arise TV. Channels Television. TVC. And every other major television and radio platform in Nigeria:

WHEN ARE YOU ORGANISING THE 2027 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?

And I do not mean another programme where presidential candidates sit comfortably, exchange rehearsed speeches and leave without answering the fundamental questions confronting the country.

Nigeria needs a serious, properly structured presidential debate.

Candidates should be challenged on the economy, insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, corruption, taxation, infrastructure, energy, poverty and Nigeria’s international standing.

More importantly, they should be required to explain how they intend to achieve what they promise.

A candidate saying, “I will fix the economy,” is not a policy.

The immediate question should be:

How?

What economic model will you adopt?

What fiscal measures will you introduce?

What monetary reforms do you propose?

How will you address taxation?

How will you create jobs?

How will you tackle inflation?

Where will the revenue come from?

How will ordinary Nigerians benefit?

These are the questions that matter.

No More Hiding Behind Political Slogans

Anyone seeking the highest political office in Nigeria should be prepared to face Nigerians directly.

Presidential candidates should personally participate in debates and defend their records, policies and promises.

Political surrogates should not be used as substitutes for candidates who are seeking to become President.

If a candidate chooses not to participate, Nigerians should be told clearly that the candidate declined the opportunity to answer questions directly.

Ultimately, it should be left to Nigerian voters to determine what that decision says about the candidate’s willingness to face scrutiny.

A presidential debate should not be entertainment.

It should be an opportunity for Nigerians to compare competing visions for the country.

The Media Must Be the People’s Watchdog

The media must remember that democracy is not simply about giving politicians airtime.

Democracy is about giving citizens the information they need to make informed choices.

The media must become the bridge between political promises and political accountability.

When politicians contradict themselves, show Nigerians the evidence.

When they make promises, track those promises.

When they claim achievements, verify them.

When they make accusations against opponents, demand evidence.

When they propose policies, ask how those policies will work.

When they fail, ask why.

When they succeed, acknowledge it.

That is balanced journalism.

The media should neither become a propaganda machine for government nor an instrument of the opposition. Its ultimate loyalty should be to truth, professional journalism and the Nigerian public.

I commend journalists such as Rufai Oseni and others who have demonstrated a willingness to engage political leaders on difficult issues. But Nigeria needs many more journalists and media organisations prepared to ask the uncomfortable questions.

Bad Governance Affects Everyone

The consequences of poor leadership do not discriminate.

Bad roads can affect everyone.

Insecurity can affect everyone.

Poor healthcare can affect everyone.

A lack of essential medical supplies, electricity or properly equipped hospitals can affect everyone.

Unemployment, poverty, inflation and poor infrastructure can affect families regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity or religion.

You can support one political party today and still suffer the consequences of bad governance tomorrow.

Your children can suffer.

Your parents can suffer.

Your relatives can suffer.

That is why Nigerians cannot afford to treat elections as a mere political contest between parties and personalities.

The quality of leadership has consequences for all of us.

Nigerians Also Have a Responsibility

While the media has an enormous responsibility, Nigerians cannot outsource their civic responsibility to journalists.

Citizens must investigate candidates themselves.

Do not vote simply because someone gave you money.

Do not vote because a candidate belongs to your ethnic group.

Do not vote because someone shares your religion.

Do not vote because a politician delivered an emotional speech.

Do not vote simply because social media says a particular candidate is the answer.

Study the candidates.

Examine their records.

Compare their policies.

Question their competence.

Listen carefully to their promises.

Then examine what they have actually done.

Most importantly:

Verify before you believe.

2027 Must Be Different

The 2027 election should not simply be another election cycle dominated by slogans, propaganda, ethnic mobilisation, religious sentiments and unchallenged political claims.

Nigerians deserve substance.

They deserve facts.

They deserve evidence.

They deserve meaningful debates.

And they deserve journalists who will ask:

How exactly will you achieve this promise?

Where will the money come from?

What did you do when you previously held public office?

Why did you say this five years ago and something different today?

What happened to the promise you made during the last election?

Why should Nigerians trust you this time?

These are not unreasonable questions.

They are the questions of citizens who understand that the quality of leadership directly affects the quality of their lives.

The Power Ultimately Belongs to the People

Nigeria’s problems will not be solved simply by changing political parties or replacing one politician with another.

We need a political culture where leaders understand that citizens are watching.

We need a media culture where politicians understand that they will be questioned.

And we need a citizenry that understands that its vote is not a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

The 2027 election should be an opportunity for Nigerians to demand better leadership, greater accountability, and better governance.

To the Nigerian media, I say:

Do not merely give politicians the microphone.

Give Nigerians the evidence.

Do not allow politicians to rewrite their history without challenge.

Do not allow contradictions to disappear into the news cycle.

Do not allow political rhetoric to replace facts.

And please, start preparing for the presidential debate.

NTA. AIT. Arise TV. Channels Television. TVC. And every other major media organisation:

WHEN ARE YOU ORGANISING THE 2027 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?

Nigerians are watching.

And to my fellow Nigerians:

Investigate.

Question.

Verify.

Participate.

Defend your democracy.

And when the time comes, use the power that democracy has given you wisely.

Nigerians, take back your country in 2027.

A New Nigeria is POSSIBLE!

Engr. Comr. Kingsley C. E Ezeruo (Ifechidelu), MBA, MGPM, MIEAust