Kogi Residents Lament Politicians’ Shift to Campaign Mode
By Adeyemi Olayemi
As the political drumbeats for the next general elections grow louder, an increasing number of Nigerians believe their leaders are turning their backs on pressing developmental and societal needs. From abandoned rural electrification projects to stalled healthcare upgrades, the mood in many communities is one of frustration, resignation, and low expectations.
A recent informal opinion poll conducted across three local government areas revealed that seven out of ten respondents felt that their political representatives had “shifted attention from governance to campaigning” long before the official election season began. Many believe this premature political interest is worsening the already fragile state of the nation.
Mr. Inah Boniface, a politically literate resident of Odolu Local Government in Kogi State, voiced what he called “a dangerous tradition” in Nigerian politics.
“The moment elections draw near, even by two years, many politicians mentally and characteristically vacate their offices and set up campaign headquarters. They forget that the people still need roads, hospitals, and jobs. Governance becomes a secondary matter—if it matters at all,” he said, leaning on the motorcycle he uses for commercial purposes.
Mr. Boniface believes this behavior reflects the country’s political culture, where loyalty is often built on patronage and affluence rather than performance.
“They start sharing T-shirts instead of building clinics,” he added with a dry laugh.
At the bustling Ganaja Market in Lokoja, Kogi State, traders had their own take. For vegetable seller Mrs. Patience Amana, the change is visible in the smallest things.
“Last year, our borehole stopped working. The local government chairman came here, promised it would be fixed, and even posed for photos. Since then, nothing. But every weekend now, his posters are on every wall. How can you put water in my house with a poster?” she asked, shaking her head.
Beside her, a tailor noted that the shift to electioneering is also making politicians less accessible.
“Before, you could meet your councillor and talk about your needs. Now you hear he is ‘in Abuja for consultations.’ Consultations for what? To win again, not to serve,” he said.
The informal poll, which sampled 50 residents in Lokoja, Kabba, and Anyigba, showed:
- 70% believe politicians have reduced their engagement in governance since pre-election campaigns began.
- 20% think politicians are still balancing campaign and governance, but “just barely.”
- 10% felt their representatives are still actively pursuing development projects.
Interestingly, younger respondents aged 18–25 were more likely to express deep cynicism and negativity. One Anyigba university student remarked:
“We already know the game. Projects stop, promises start, and the people suffer until the election is over.”
Dr. Martha Adah, a development studies lecturer, says the political shift has long-term economic and social costs.
“When projects stall for months or years due to political distractions, the cost of completing them rises. More importantly, the trust deficit grows more drastically. Citizens start to see politics not as a tool for change, but as a seasonal performance,” she explained.
She cited examples from road construction in a rural community in Kogi, where contractors quietly stopped work in mid-2024—allegedly because funds were redirected toward “strategic political spending.”
One local party youth leader, who preferred not to be named, offered a rare defense for the politicians.
“Look, elections are part of governance. You cannot serve if you are not re-elected. Sometimes we have to secure our position first before we can continue projects. People need to understand that politics is about survival too,” he argued.
However, this reasoning was dismissed by many respondents as “self-serving.”
A Call for Accountability
Several participants in the poll suggested concrete steps to keep politicians focused. These included stronger legislative oversight, penalties for project abandonment, and more active citizen monitoring. Social media activism was also mentioned as a way to name and shame leaders who neglect their duties.
For now, communities like Ganaja, Kabba, and Anyigba remain caught between potholes and political posters—both visible reminders of promises yet to be fulfilled. As the election clock ticks louder, many fear the state of the nation will deteriorate further before it gets better.
