How Nigerian Voters Can Catch Politicians Lying This Election Season

Photo: The Punch

Wetin We Dey Look For in 2027? Real Change or Same Old Story?

My people, as we dey approach another election season, I wan talk true talk with una. How many times politicians don promise us heaven and earth, only to disappoint us after dem enter office? This time around, make we no gree for their sweet mouth again. Na time to make accountability the main thing we dey look for when choosing who go lead us.

The thing be say, every election cycle, the same story dey repeat itself. Politicians go come with their fancy manifestos, promise to fight corruption, fix roads, bring light, create jobs - but after election, na different story entirely. Some of them go even forget say they promise us anything at all!

The Real Cost of Not Demanding Accountability

When we no hold our leaders accountable, the whole country dey suffer am. Look around you - which area you dey see real development? How many of the projects wey politicians promise during 2019 and 2023 elections actually see light of day? The ones wey dem complete sef, how many of them really benefit the common man?

Take for instance, those governors wey promise to pay workers' salaries promptly - some still dey owe workers for months. The ones wey talk say dem go fight insecurity, their states still dey experience kidnapping and banditry. This na the result of not making accountability a priority from day one.

How to Spot Real Reformers from Audio Politicians

No be every politician wey dey talk change actually mean am o. Some of them na just audio politicians - dem good for mouth but when e reach action time, dem go disappoint you. So how you wan take know the real ones from the fake ones?

Check Their Track Record: Before you vote for anybody, do your homework. Wetin dem do before? If na governor or local government chairman before, how dem perform? If na new person, wetin dem achieve for their previous job or business? People wey get history of delivering results dey more likely to deliver when dem enter office.

Look at the Details: Real reformers go give you specific plans with timelines and budget breakdown. Dem no go just say "I go fight corruption" without telling you exactly how. Dem go tell you say "Within my first 100 days, I go establish anti-corruption unit with these specific powers, and here na the budget for am."

Check Their Team: Show me your friends, I go tell you who you be. Check the kind of people wey dey around the politician. Are they people with integrity and proven track record, or na the same old politicians wey don fail us before? If na recycled politicians, then expect recycled results.

Practical Ways to Demand Accountability Before Election Day

Make we no wait until after election before we start demanding accountability. We fit start from now:

• Organize Town Hall Meetings: Force your local candidates to come and face you people directly. Ask them hard questions about their plans and make them sign commitment letters.
• Use Social Media Wisely: Instead of just sharing their campaign posters, ask them questions for their comment section. Make them explain their policies publicly.
• Form Voter Education Groups: Gather your neighbors, friends, and family. Discuss the candidates' track records and share information about their past performance.
• Demand Transparency: Ask candidates to publish their assets, their source of campaign funding, and their detailed plans for office. Any candidate wey refuse to be transparent get something to hide.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Some warning signs wey suppose make you run from any politician include:

When dem dey promise unrealistic things like "I go give everybody job" or "I go make electricity 24/7 in 6 months." These kind promises na just to catch your attention.

If dem no fit answer simple questions about their policies or dem dey always dodge press conferences and public debates, that one na red flag be that.

Politicians wey dey share money and rice during campaign period - dem think say your vote na commodity wey dem fit buy. Don't collect their small money and mortgage your future.

After the Election: Keeping the Pressure On

The real work start after election day. We must create systems to monitor our leaders continuously. Social media don make am easier to track politicians' promises and hold them accountable in real-time.

Document their promises during campaign season, set reminders for their promised timelines, and call them out publicly when dem no deliver. This na the only way we go see real change for this country.

The Way Forward

My people, the power to change Nigeria dey for our hands, but we must use am wisely. Make we stop voting based on sentiment, religion, or ethnicity. Make accountability be the major factor when choosing our leaders.

This election season, let's ask the hard questions, demand detailed answers, and vote only for people wey show us clear evidence say dem fit deliver on their promises. Na only like this we go break the cycle of disappointment wey don dey follow us for this country.

Remember, dem say "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Make we no allow politicians fool us again this time around. Our vote na our power - make we use am well!