A promise ordinarily means to give an expression of an intention to do or forbear from some act.
To have legal effect, a promise must either be under seal, when it forms a covenant or must form part of a contract, that is, be made in consideration of something done or to be done. But in the game of politics, far from its ordinary or legal meaning, it is today commonly being used in its persuasive context by politicians the world over as an instrument to secure votes from the electorate, a practice that has not only been imbibed by Nigerian politician but has been widely abused.
Put succinctly, one is not concerned with the varied meanings the word has acquired but the levels of abuse politicians have subjected its use to in the game of politics in most African countries and Nigeria in particular.
It is generally and freely applied as a pre-and even post-election campaign strategy and most times deceitfully used by unscrupulous politicians, seeking elective positions for the first time or re-election for a second or another term at whatever level depending on the circumstances.
These sugarcoated tongues politicians offer as promises everything from the sublime to the ridiculous to get recognition as persons with supernatural abilities.
Their mouth-watering promises range from re-inventing our societal values, giving pep to the nation’s educational system, making our hospitals and clinics, a cynosure of effective service delivery, and much more.
On human development, they make promises of empowerment and award of scholarships to persons inappropriately dubbed indigent students and the promises span our political canvass from local government, State to National levels.
In the end, their promises are either not fulfilled or fraudulently executed, thus defeating the real essence of government and politics which has to do with man in society and the dynamics in maintaining societal equilibrium through fair rules and equitable distribution of benefits and responsibilities for the achievement of good life.
Little wonder then, that the game of politics in Nigeria today is regarded as being synonymous with the “Machiavellian” principle, that is, the end justifies the means.
In other words, any means, no matter how unorthodox, immoral, or mischievous could be used in securing, retaining, and perpetuating oneself in power.
What this translates to, is that in place of good moral ethos, any form of deceit including vain promises provided it is not sanctioned, even where it negates our political norms, goes unquestioned in as much as the end is achieved.
Obviously, the adoption of such an ill-motivated political strategy in virtually all the states of the Federation is not benefiting enough for Nigeria given its leading role in African politics.
Indeed, it only depicts Nigerian politicians as unconscionably playing the fox and the lion game; that is combining trickery and aggressiveness to secure personal desires in the nation’s political matrix.
This should not be the case in an ideal political system which is why Nigerian politicians should from now on be circumspect of their electoral promises as we glide to general elections.
Be that as it may, it is unfortunate that a lot of politicians who indulge in vain promises continue to have their way because they still have the media hype in their favour with banners and posters portraying them as men of great vision, capable of changing the nation’s political landscape and returning the economy to the path of growth and prosperity.
However, evidence abounds from the country’s past political history that these groups of political office seekers are in the real sense far removed from the people after being voted into office.
In their safe heavens, they shuttle Europe and other countries of the world where they stash their stolen wealth in safe bank accounts abroad.
More than that, they are not contented with acquiring and developing new housing estates but also embark on building castles, complete with the medieval accouterment of moats, drawbridges, and battlements to ward off criminals.
The aftermath of the vain promises made in the past by these narrow-minded politicians in the nation’s politics cannot be overemphasized. For one, it has continued to impact negatively on the growth and development of our nascent democracy. Again, it had in no small measure defeated the ultimate end of politics which should be to achieve fairness.
Therefore, it should be clear to all Nigerians as we close up to general elections that vain electoral promises are a weapon of deceit which is why they should reject the perpetrators at the polls at whatever level.
We must be wise as we have a wide radar to pick our choices from. Our choice of candidate for elective political offices should not be dictated by expediency, parochial interest, and other supervening motives but by a superlative record of performance, accomplishment, and integrity. The ground rule that allows only for the best in politics and governance should be followed and not overtaken by the plethora of vain electoral promises.
We must collectively work to ensure that our politics transcends the level of “Stage managed enterprise”
After all, it has been said that government and politics are the twin structures that determine the role of progress of any country. Therefore, our actions or inactions in today’s politics in the country will certainly go a long way in affecting where we stand in international politics in the years ahead.
This is why those seeking elective offices must face the reality on the ground and come out with realizable programmes instead of dolling out vain electoral promises which have overtime done the country no good.
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