In Nigeria, the story of political leadership is one that has been told and retold, but each time with greater intensity and a more devastating impact on the common man. With each passing political dispensation, we are introduced to new political actors who come to the scene as heroes and messiahs, armed with lofty promises and grandiose manifestos. However, their eventual exit from power leaves the people worse off than they were before. This vicious cycle of false hope, economic plunder, and political deceit continues to thrive, with Nigerian politicians already eyeing the 2027 elections while the people suffer in untold hardship.

It is a bitter reality that Nigerian politicians, upon gaining power, often proceed to dismantle the very foundations of the economy they swore to uplift. Promises made during campaigns, which resonate with a struggling populace yearning for change, are rarely fulfilled. Instead, we are faced with a pattern of economic mismanagement, embezzlement, and a blatant disregard for the welfare of the people.

From independence till now, Nigeria has witnessed countless political leaders who, rather than being the saviors they promised to be, have only enriched themselves and their cronies, leaving the country in a state of poverty and despair. The rich get richer, while the poor sink deeper into poverty. This plunder is done in plain sight, yet politicians continue to spin the narrative, telling lies that sustain the vicious cycle.

At every electoral cycle, politicians are celebrated as the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s economic and developmental woes. They come in waving the banner of hope and renewed hope, promising to fix the country’s many ills. Yet, once in power, they perpetuate the same corrupt practices that have plagued the nation for decades. The people, still reeling from the lies told by previous administrations, are subjected to more hardship and suffering.

In Nigeria, there is a saying, “It is the same old wine, just in a new bottle.” This describes the continuous recycling of the same political elite, who, despite their failures, continue to find ways to retain their grip on power. Whether under the guise of political godfatherism, nepotism, or the manipulation of the electoral process, these politicians find ways to cling to power, their focus always on their political survival and personal gain rather than the betterment of the nation.

As Nigeria approaches 2027, many politicians have already begun positioning themselves for the next election. Even though we are only halfway through the current administration’s tenure, the race for political dominance in the next election is already underway. This shift in focus, however, comes at a great cost to the people.

While these politicians scheme, strategize, and vie for relevance in the 2027 race, Nigeria’s economic condition continues to deteriorate. Inflation is at an all-time high, unemployment rates are soaring, and the cost of living is becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian. The ongoing fuel subsidy removal, for example, has led to a spike in transportation costs, food prices, and utilities, pushing millions further below the poverty line.

Yet, despite these harsh realities, politicians continue to amass wealth, build mansions, buy luxury cars, and send their children abroad for education and medical treatment, while the common man grapples with the everyday struggles of survival. It is a classic case of the privileged few thriving while the masses starve.

The Nigerian economy has been in a tailspin for years, largely due to the greed and incompetence of the political class. While campaign promises often include vows to fix the economy, create jobs, and reduce poverty, these pledges remain unfulfilled. Instead, politicians embark on large-scale looting of public funds, often with little or no accountability.

Recent administrations have borrowed extensively from international lenders, plunging the country into debt. However, instead of using these loans for developmental projects that would improve the lives of Nigerians, the funds have often been misappropriated. A significant portion ends up in the pockets of corrupt politicians and their allies. The country is left to shoulder the burden of debt repayments, while the benefits of the loans are nowhere to be seen.

It is this plundering of the economy that has left the country with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, poor educational facilities, and a populace that is increasingly disillusioned with the political system. As each new administration takes office, it blames its predecessors for the problems it inherited, only to replicate the same pattern of corruption and incompetence.

To sustain their hold on power, Nigerian politicians have become masters of deception. They continue to tell lies, manipulating the masses with empty promises and false narratives. Election campaigns are filled with flowery speeches, grand economic blueprints, and claims of new-found empathy for the plight of the common man. But as history has shown, these promises rarely translate into action.

Once in office, politicians are quick to abandon the people who voted them in, turning their attention instead to amassing wealth and securing political patronage. They surround themselves with sycophants who shield them from the realities of the suffering masses, creating an echo chamber of false success stories. Meanwhile, the people are left to fend for themselves in a country where access to basic amenities like electricity, clean water, and healthcare remains a luxury.

Nigeria’s political elite have effectively held the country hostage, using their positions of power to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. The question now is: How long will this continue? How long will Nigerian politicians plunder the economy while the people remain impoverished? How long will the cycle of deceit, corruption, and economic mismanagement persist?

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, it is imperative for Nigerians to reflect on the choices they make at the polls. The promises made by politicians must be scrutinized more carefully, and voters must hold those in power accountable for their actions. There must be a shift from the old practice of electing leaders based on ethnicity, religion, or political party, to a system where competence, integrity, and a genuine desire for public service are the primary criteria for leadership.

The time has come for Nigerians to break free from the vicious circle of political deceit. The 2027 elections should not be another opportunity for politicians to plunder the economy and impoverish the people. Instead, it should be a turning point, an opportunity for the electorate to demand real change and elect leaders who have the vision and the integrity to rebuild the nation.

The future of Nigeria depends on the choices we make today. If we continue to allow the same politicians who have plundered our economy to hold the reins of power, then we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. It is time for Nigerians to rise and take a stand for their future. It is time to end the plunder and hold our leaders accountable.

Nigeria deserves better, and the people must demand it. The 2027 elections must be the beginning of a new era, one in which politicians are held to a higher standard, and the welfare of the people is placed above personal gain. The time for change is now. Let us not wait until it is too late.