By Idris Abubakar Sadiq
6th August 2025
For far too long, the power of incumbency has been wielded like a political weapon in Nigeria. Sitting governments, both at the federal and state levels, have used state resources, institutions, and influence to tilt the electoral playing field in their favor—often disregarding the will of the people. But those days are fast becoming history.
Today’s Nigeria is not the Nigeria of yesterday. The masses are increasingly aware of their civic rights and responsibilities. The spread of information through digital media, civil society engagement, and grassroots political education has sparked a new wave of enlightenment. Citizens are now more politically conscious than ever before.
In previous years, elections were often reduced to formalities—manipulated, rigged, or outright stolen by those in power. But recent electoral outcomes across the country have proven that even incumbents can fall. From governors losing re-election bids to ruling parties being defeated in their strongholds, the myth of “unbeatable incumbency” has been shattered.
The people have found their voice. The days when voters were intimidated, manipulated, or bought with cheap handouts are fading. Today, Nigerians are demanding transparency, accountability, and performance—not propaganda and empty promises.
Furthermore, the failure of the ruling APC administration to deliver on critical issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, and poverty has fueled public frustration. People are fed up. They can no longer be fooled by party loyalty or ethnic sentiment. The average Nigerian is more concerned about good governance, security, jobs, and dignity.
As we look forward to future elections, it is important that both incumbents and aspirants understand a new reality: power now belongs to the people. Any government that fails to deliver will be shown the way out—ballot by ballot, vote by vote.
The time of exploiting power for personal or party gain is over. Let politicians compete based on their track records, integrity, and commitment to national development. The power of incumbency is no longer a guarantee of electoral victory in Nigeria. It is performance and credibility that will speak loudest at the poll.
