Why politicians lie to win elections – Kukah

L-R: Activist Aisha Yesufu; former INEC Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega and NILDS Director-General, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman at the public symposium on Thursday. Photo credit: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has explained why politicians make unrealistic promises and mislead voters during election campaigns, saying their primary concern is to win elections rather than prepare citizens for the challenges of governance.

Kukah said politicians often use attractive images and grand promises to sell an appealing vision to voters, only to abandon their commitments after assuming office and begin making excuses about the difficulties of governing.

He argued that political communication had become a tool for securing votes through promises that politicians might not be prepared to fulfil, urging Nigerians to develop the capacity to interrogate such claims before elections.

The bishop spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a public symposium organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in collaboration with The Kukah Centre.

Illustrating the disconnect between campaign promises and governance, Kukah narrated the story of a politician who used impressive images of tarred roads, bridges, beautiful houses and children in smart school uniforms to convince voters during his campaign.

The politician reportedly won the election, but after three years, residents complained that none of the promised projects had materialised.

When confronted, he told them, “You are confusing campaign with governance. What I did was purely a simple campaign. Governance is a difficult part.”

Kukah said the politician’s response reflected a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s political system, where elected leaders make ambitious promises during campaigns but resort to excuses after taking office.

He said, “And this is why we have Nigerian politicians turn around, once they have been sworn in and after telling us all the things they want to do, and say, ‘We didn’t know that the treasury was so empty.’ Then, they start giving one excuse after the other.”

The cleric said politicians were often more concerned about creating attractive campaign narratives than communicating the realities of governance, adding that voters must learn to distinguish between political promises and what could realistically be achieved.

He stated, “The point I am making is that it is the business of politicians to seduce, deceive or tell us things we can’t do just to win our votes. But we are sufficiently knowledgeable, and our experience should help us to test the limits of the claims that politicians make.”

Kukah stressed that Nigerians should not passively accept campaign messages but develop the capacity to question politicians, scrutinise their promises and demand accountability.

He said the conversation about political communication should also help Nigerians move beyond ethnic, religious and class considerations in their political choices.

According to him, citizens must learn to engage the political elite rather than wait until elections have been won before demanding explanations for their actions.

Earlier, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, said the responsibility for addressing electoral challenges should not rest solely on the electoral commission.

Jega urged political parties and candidates to promote issue-based campaigns and responsible political messaging, while calling on electoral and other government institutions to communicate transparently, consistently and promptly.

He said, “Political parties and candidates must promote issue-based campaigns and responsible political messaging. Electoral and other government institutions must communicate transparently, consistently and promptly. Security agencies must provide credible information while maintaining professionalism.

“I encourage us to draw lessons from our previous electoral experiences, identify existing gaps and develop practical recommendations for improving political communication and safeguarding election security ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Jega commended NILDS and The Kukah Centre for organising the symposium, expressing hope that the discussions would strengthen public confidence, promote peaceful political competition and contribute to a sustainable future for Nigerian democracy.