Editorial:
By Femi Emmanuel
It is no longer news—within Nigeria, across the diaspora, and in the eyes of the international community—that waves of violence and the killing of innocent citizens tend to surge in the build-up to general elections. Disturbingly, these tragedies often coincide with moments when the nation should be preparing to deepen its democratic journey. Instead of hope, fear grips communities; instead of unity, division festers.
Many Nigerians have come to associate this recurring pattern with the desperate quest for power by certain political actors who place ambition above human life. For such individuals, political office is pursued at all costs, with little regard for the sanctity of life or the stability of the nation. This dangerous mindset reduces politics to a ruthless contest, where victory is measured not by the will of the people but by the suppression of it—sometimes violently.
This must not continue. The pursuit of political power should never take precedence over the lives of citizens. Politics, at its core, is a platform for service—an opportunity to represent, uplift, and protect the people, whether at the state or federal level. Those who seek leadership must be guided by conscience, accountability, and, above all, a reverence for life. Power, after all, is transient; it is given and can be taken away. What endures is the legacy leaders leave behind.
Equally troubling is the irony that the very citizens whose lives are endangered are the same people politicians court during campaigns. They knock on doors, make promises, and seek votes from communities they have failed to protect. This contradiction exposes a troubling disconnect between political ambition and genuine public service.
It must be clearly stated: politics is not a do-or-die affair. It is a contest of ideas, a marketplace of vision, where candidates are expected to persuade the electorate through credible manifestos and a track record of integrity. Elections should be won through trust, not terror; through performance, not violence.
Yet, the persistence—and indeed the escalation—of pre-election violence suggests a calculated attempt by some to create tension, manipulate outcomes, and secure power through fear. This not only undermines democratic principles but also erodes public confidence in the electoral process.
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. If democracy is to thrive, all stakeholders—politicians, security agencies, electoral bodies, and citizens—must reject violence in all its forms. There must be accountability for those who incite or perpetrate bloodshed, and a collective commitment to peaceful participation in the democratic process.
Ultimately, power is fleeting, but history is permanent. Long after political tenures have ended, the stories of today will be told and retold. Leaders will be remembered not for the offices they held, but for the lives they touched—or destroyed. Legacy, whether noble or notorious, outlives power.
Nigeria deserves a politics defined not by bloodshed, but by vision, integrity, and humanity.
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