January 12, 2023
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah has advised Nigerians to lower their expectations on political choices, saying that there is no such thing as “the right candidate” in elections, as that might be a projection of one’s emotions.
According to him, the real challenge should be how prepared the people are to engage with the politicians after they have been elected into office. He said this is where the civil society, trade unions, town unions, groups, media and the religious bodies are needed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Bishop Kukah asserted that without engagements, the politicians will always take the people for granted. He argued that the Nigerian situation is made worse by the fact that those in power cripple the institutions.
Speaking further, he said that no Nigerian should be undecided about the candidates to vote for in the upcoming general elections, considering the abundance of problems facing the country at present as there should be a vigorous battle among Nigerians to overcome cynicism.
He said, “Why would anybody be undecided about hunger? Why would anybody be undecided about insecurity? Why would anybody be undecided over the fact that they don’t seem to know where the next meal is going to come from?
“Why would anybody be undecided over the fact that there are no jobs? Why would anybody be undecided about that? So, there needs to be a vigorous battle to overcome cynicism.”
He said the automatic change and quality of life of politicians after assuming office make politicians fight to win elections just to reap the rewards attached to it.
Kukah believes that if it is all about service, most politicians canvassing for votes might have been doing something else that gives them better income.
