By Nze Emmanuel Ehirim
Nigeria is approaching another election season and once again the political class appears ready to unleash billions of naira on billboards, campaign vehicles, rallies, posters and political mobilisation.
Yet across the country, millions of citizens are asking a more fundamental question: Where is the food?
Good governance is not measured by how much politicians spend winning elections. It is measured by how many lives they improve after winning them.Nigeria’s economic statistics tell a troubling story.
Although economic growth and some macroeconomic indicators have improved, the World Bank estimates that about 63 per cent of Nigerians lived below the national poverty line in 2025. It also identifies electricity, transport and logistics infrastructure gaps as continuing obstacles to productivity and economic development.
These figures translate into painful realities: families struggling to feed their children, graduates searching endlessly for jobs, businesses battling electricity costs and farmers unable to cultivate or transport produce safely.
Meanwhile, insecurity continues to threaten livelihoods. Banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and other security challenges remain serious concerns across different parts of the country.
Against this background, extravagant political spending is not merely insensitive, it represents a disturbing misunderstanding of what leadership should mean.
What does a hungry Nigerian need—a giant billboard carrying the smiling face of a politician or affordable food? Does an unemployed graduate need another campaign rally or meaningful employment? Does a farmer frightened away from his farm need campaign vehicles or security?Nigeria needs political leaders who understand that empowering the people is the greatest campaign strategy.
Instead of spending billions manufacturing political popularity, governments should rebuild roads, improve electricity, strengthen healthcare and education, support agriculture, create employment and protect communities.
Politicians must understand one simple truth: you cannot successfully campaign to people whose stomachs are empty while asking them to applaud the very system under which they are suffering.The best billboard is visible development.
The best campaign message is improved living standards and the greatest political mobilisation is good governance that people can see, touch and feel.
About the Author:
Nze Emmanuel Ehirim is a corporate communication practitioner, community development advocate and social policy commentator with extensive experience in governance, leadership, social justice and sustainable development.
He writes regularly on public policy, accountability, community participation, oil and gas governance, environmental justice, education, security and socio-economic development.
He is passionate about promoting transparent leadership, equitable distribution of public resources and policies that place people at the centre of development.
His commentaries advocate responsible governance, institutional accountability and inclusive partnerships between government, investors and local communities to achieve sustainable growth.
Drawing on his experience in community engagement and public service, he believes that the true measure of government is not the wealth generated from natural resources but the positive transformation of people’s lives through quality education, accessible healthcare, improved infrastructure, security, employment opportunities and social justice.
