Sultan Teslim, project manager, Concerned Nation Builders Initiative (CNI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says Nigerians deserve good governance and quality representation rather than food palliative sharing during political campaigns.

Mr Teslim made the assertion in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Saturday.

He said that political campaigns should be centred on issues affecting the people, including economic development, employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.

According to him, politicians seeking elective positions should present clear and realistic programmes capable of addressing the challenges confronting their constituents.

The project manager said that the electorate should not be reduced to recipients of temporary gifts during electioneering.

He added that citizens deserved sustainable solutions to their socio-economic challenges.

“Nigerians deserve good governance and quality representation, not food items that are shared during campaigns and forgotten immediately after elections,” he said.

Mr Teslim urged political candidates to engage voters through meaningful discussions on their plans, policies and programmes rather than relying on material inducements to secure support.

He said that voters also had a responsibility to demand accountability from elected representatives and assess candidates based on their records, competence and proposed programmes.

“Good representation required leaders to remain accessible to their constituents and responsive to the needs of the communities they represented,” he said.

He urged political parties and candidates to make issue-based campaigns a priority ahead of future elections, adding that it would encourage citizens to participate more meaningfully in the democratic process.

“Campaigns should be about what candidates intend to do for the people, how they will do it and how they intend to account for the resources entrusted to them,” he said.

Mr Teslim called on civil society organisations, community leaders and the media to intensify voter education and promote informed participation in the electoral process.

He said that CNI would continue to advocate initiatives that encourage responsible leadership, active citizenship, human capacity development and community-driven development.

The project manager appealed to Nigerians to look beyond immediate material benefits and demand policies that would improve their living conditions and create opportunities for future generations.

“A bag of food may address an immediate need, but good governance, quality representation and sound policies can address the causes of poverty and create lasting opportunities,” he said.

Mr Teslim urged politicians to see electioneering as an opportunity to present their vision for development and earn the confidence of the electorate through credible commitments.

He said that Nigerians should expect measurable results from their elected representatives and insist on accountability throughout their tenure. 

(NAN)