By Muji Armstrong-Bello
Nigeria’s democratic journey has reached a critical juncture. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the nation is once again confronted with a familiar cast of political actors—individuals who have circulated endlessly within the corridors of power, migrating from party to party, ideology to ideology, without any coherent philosophical grounding or demonstrable commitment to national development. These are recycled politicians: long on ambition, short on ideals.
A defining weakness of Nigeria’s contemporary political space is the near-total absence of ideology. Most dominant parties are not united by shared values, policy convictions, or a clear vision of the society they seek to build. Rather, they function as electoral vehicles—temporary platforms for personal advancement. Consequently, governance has been reduced to transactional politics, where access to power serves private interests instead of the public good.
This ideological vacuum has profound consequences. It explains the persistence of poverty amid abundance, insecurity despite heavy defense spending, and public distrust in government despite repeated electoral cycles. Many of today’s political players are not investing in the well-being of the masses or the future of the nation; they are invested in power for its own sake. To entrust such actors with fresh mandates in 2027 is to perpetuate stagnation.
If Nigeria must move forward, the electorate must resist the temptation of familiarity and reject the politics of recycling. Votes should no longer be cast on the basis of name recognition, ethnic sentiment, or financial inducement, but on competence, character, and conviction.
Encouragingly, credible alternatives exist. Parties such as the Accord Party, which have shown greater ideological clarity, internal discipline, and openness to reform, deserve serious consideration. The survival of democracy depends not on the dominance of a few entrenched parties, but on the vitality of principled alternatives that place governance above opportunism.
Equally important is the role of respected elder-statesmen and traditional leaders whose public service records inspire trust. Personalities such as Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, exemplify stewardship anchored in restraint, credibility, and public conscience. At regional, subnational, and zonal levels, such leaders are uniquely positioned to scout, discover, mentor, and orient a new breed of political actors—men and women who understand that politics is service, not entitlement.
Through structured mentorship, political education, and value-based orientation, these new players can be taught what politics truly demands: accountability, sacrifice, respect for institutions, and fidelity to the people. Once so prepared, they can be presented to the electorate—not as imposed candidates, but as credible options—for democratic consideration at the polls.
In sum, Nigeria’s challenge is not a shortage of politicians, but a shortage of political idealism. The task before the nation is to consciously cultivate a new generation of leaders, guided by tested hands and sustained by principled platforms. Only then can 2027 become not another missed opportunity, but a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for responsible governance and national renewal.
Prince Armstrong-Bello, retired banker and Justice of The Peace, is a strategic thinker, community advocate, and political analyst. He is a strong proponent of values-driven politics, ideological clarity, and people-centred governance.
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