Bishop Kukah Discusses Politicians’ Deceptive Promises During Elections

Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese spoke on Thursday in Abuja about how politicians often mislead voters during election campaigns. He explained that their main goal is to win elections, not to prepare citizens for the challenges of governing.

Kukah highlighted that politicians tend to make grand promises and use appealing images to attract voters. However, once they are in office, they often fail to deliver on these commitments and instead make excuses about the difficulties of governance.

He shared a story about a politician who showcased impressive images of infrastructure during his campaign. After winning, the politician did not follow through on his promises. When residents confronted him, he claimed, “You are confusing campaign with governance,” indicating a common issue in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Kukah urged voters to critically assess the promises made by politicians before elections. He emphasized that citizens should not passively accept campaign messages but should question and hold politicians accountable for their claims.

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also spoke at the symposium. He stressed that the responsibility for addressing electoral challenges should not fall solely on the electoral commission. Jega called for political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns and responsible messaging.

He encouraged all involved in the electoral process to communicate clearly and consistently to build public confidence in the democratic system. Jega expressed hope that discussions at the symposium would contribute to a better future for Nigerian democracy.