The problem with money politics in Nigeria

For a candidate to win election in Nigeria, they must be prepared to spend lots of money. Money has long dominated our elections, and the problem is worsening. People spent unlimited amounts of money during campaigns and before or during election, in order to win the posts they are contesting for. The major problem with money politics is that politicians tend to invest by spending in the campaigns and expect profit in return. This can also affect public policy and spending priorities. Politics in Nigeria becomes business in which the contestant invests during campaign, and later recoups after winning the election. Immediately they land in office, their agenda changes. They set out to take back what they spent during campaign, including the profit, before their tenure ends. And as we know, the ‘profit’ is usually many times more than the ‘investment’. At the middle of their tenure, they will focus their attention on how to win election for the second time. at that time they will begins to show a little serious about the Masses by still giving them money, but not doing something that will help in developing the nation. The politicians use the opportunity of given money in order to deceive the masses and the masses assume that is best of what they expect from their leaders. If you are to share your view with the both sides (politicians and masses), you will find that both of them have contributed a lot in spreading the problem. History shows that Nigeria was not like this before. Our past leaders went into politics in those days to serve for development of the nation, not to just steal money and properties of the country and enrich themselves. These are the type of leaders that we need in Nigeria today. The most terrible problem with money politics is that it causes unemployment in the mind of our youth. It also affects development of the nation, because people take politics as business not something that will help in developing the country. It causes crises and violence, among other problems. Looking at the present situation in Nigeria, it shows that we are very far left behind, economically, socially, morally as well as politically and it is time to start thinking of ways out of this problem. Nigeria is a great country with great and respectful people. Therefore we should do all we can to fight against this problems. Nigerians should bear in mind that we will fight against money politics because it will never lead us to success. This is especially important as we approach the general elections in 2015.

Zahraddeen Yakubu<zahraddeenyakubu@gmail.com>