…As Nigerian masses complain of neglect
…Gains of reforms yet to manifest
Two years into the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governance appears to have taken a back seat, with the President and other government officials more keen in returning to office in 2027 than tackling the current economic challenges, observers have told BusinessDay.
While the elections are still far away, politicians across the country, especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), appear more bothered about their success at the poll in 2027, than delivering on campaign promises and fighting poverty in Nigeria.
This growing preoccupation with the next election has raised concerns among Nigerians, who argue that the priority should be governance and fulfilling the promises made during the 2023 election.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, came to power on the Renewed Hope Agenda. From the beginning, the administration did not hide its intention by implementing sweeping economic reforms across sectors.
The reform measures include the floating of the naira, the removal of fuel subsidies which had kept petrol prices low for decades and ending the Central Bank’s financing of the fiscal deficit. The government said the reforms were necessary to tavkle the challenges in the country’s public finances.
However, two years down the line, economists say the measures have come at a cost for many ordinary Nigerians, with many of them experiencing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Inflation rose to an all-time high of 34.4 percent in June 2024, while there has been a rise in exodus of multinationals in the country over the last two years.
Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the Nigerian government’s tough economic reforms have yet to benefit the average citizen, nearly two years after their introduction.
In the last few weeks, the polity has been dominated by the cross-carpeting of opposition politicians to the APC and moves by the ruling party to woo opposition governors, in a bid to control more states and brighten Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
Commentators and politicians say the quest for re-election among elected public officials and the executive was a distraction that hindered them from performing their duties, while also creating so many other problems that had made good governance and development impossible.
Adamu Muhammad, the pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) in the Kano State government house, advocated for the repealing of the Nigerian constitution to allow for a single term for elected governors or presidents to avoid the many challenges that come with seeking re-election in Nigeria.
“When you look at the issue of the second tenure, I wish our legislators would rethink it. Unless it is too late, there should be a review, because this issue of the first term and the second term not only distracts the executive from performing but also creates so many issues,” Muhammad said.
According to him, “Corruption is there. The issue of mutual mistrust among the polity either on religious or tribal grounds. Simply thinking of ‘where will I be next if my principal didn’t make it?’ will make me do everything possible to ensure we get the second term ticket. But, if it is a single tenure, let’s say, instead of eight years, it is maybe six years, and after one tenure, you go.”
Governance suffers
Amid this early politicking among key officials, and growing wave of political endorsements urging President Tinubu to seek re-election in 2027, attention has been diverted from the nation’s immediate challenges.
Discussions about future elections have overshadowed the need for policies that address economic instability, insecurity, and poverty ravaging the nation. Governance seems to have taken a back seat.
However, citizens are more concerned with solutions to their daily struggles than with political manoeuvring for the next electoral cycle.
Many Nigerians say rather than engaging in early political positioning, leaders must prioritise governance and national development.
“If Nigerian politicians knew that retaining their position was based on their actual performance, there would be a greater incentive for effective behaviour and to remain accountable to the people,” Lucky Uwan, political analyst, told BusinessDay.
“That level of accountability would also reduce the chances of poor-performing politicians getting re-elected.”
In recent weeks, political figures in both the ruling and opposition parties are engaging in various alignments and realignments, including talks of new party formation or mergers, all geared towards securing an advantage ahead of the next general election.
Also, the wave of defection of opposition politicians, federal lawmakers to the ruling party has increased in recent weeks, raising fear of plot to foist a one-party state.
Ending months of rumour, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Ifeany Okowa, who was the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, joined the APC train recently.
This is even as many Nigerians continue to suffer from the effects of poverty and economic challenges. On the streets many Nigerians appear not bothered about talk of 2027, they rather want to survive today.
Many Nigerians have grown disillusioned, with critics pointing to the government’s insufficient response to economic difficulties.
For many, it is apparent governance is suffering, while it does not seem the federal and state governments are concerned.
“The one we voted for last time my situation has never changed; in fact, I’m poorer, see the price of garri and rice now,” Segun Olawale, a tailor said.
Public commentators are questioning the timing of these political moves, pointing out that the current government has yet to fulfil its promises to the electorate.
“I think they are more interested in how many states they can capture or control than the actual governance for now. It is sad. If APC wins in 2027, it would be 2031, they would be talking about. I think because they know they control INEC, the people do not matter.
“We are only interested in conducting elections in Nigeria, not actual governance. Look at the power supply, has it improved?” Temitope Musowo, a public policy expert, said.
Poverty and hunger are felt everywhere
For many Nigerians, it is a tough time, as the current administration’s economic policies occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy has exacerbated hardships.
Living is difficult for many in this present economy, even getting a job after graduation can be rather depressing because they are hardly available.
Analysts say President Tinubu has not done enough. A recent world projection said poverty would increase in Nigeria in 2027.
“It is a hard time for Nigerians; the government and elected officials should sit down and work, rather than talk about 2027.
“Hardship is everywhere, political office holders must show what they have done for the mandate people gave them in 2023, instead of talking about re-election now,” Ladipo Johnson told Business Day.
Kunle Okunade, public affairs analyst, stated that real governance should tackle the immediate challenges Nigerians face, such as economic instability, the welfare of the masses, and the fight against poverty.
“Whatever policies you are implementing, if it does not fight poverty and hunger, it is a failure. The welfare of the masses should be a priority.
“We can’t be talking of elections all the time; rather, we need policies that would fight poverty and hunger in the land now,” Okunade said.
