Nigerians must exercise greater caution and critical thinking when selecting leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu. In a post shared on X on Monday, Shehu emphasized the need for voters to move beyond superficial campaign tactics and make informed decisions based on candidates’ integrity, history, and true character. He warned that political slogans, religious appeals, and public displays of piety are often deceptive tools used to manipulate voter sentiment. As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Shehu urged citizens to reject emotional or sentimental voting and instead demand accountability and transparency from political aspirants.
Shehu stressed that many campaign slogans are misleading and designed to lure voters into making hasty choices. “Don’t be carried away by slogans, because almost all party slogans are deceptive and a trap to lure voters,” he stated. He also cautioned against voting based on religious sentiments, noting that such appeals may not reflect a candidate’s genuine values or long-term commitment to public service. “Don’t be carried away by religious claims and sentiments,” he said, adding that these actions often contradict a candidate’s actual behavior and policies.
The commentator specifically criticized politicians who suddenly adopt religious practices during election periods, such as attending Friday prayers in multiple mosques or Sunday services in different churches while making public donations. “Irrespective of party platforms, don’t be carried away by those politicians who begin to frequent Friday prayers in different mosques or Sunday services in different churches with donations,” he warned. He urged voters to look beyond such performative gestures and focus on candidates’ actual track records and moral standing.
Shehu called on Nigerians to conduct thorough investigations into the backgrounds of political aspirants. He advised voters to “dig deep into their past history” and ensure that candidates have no criminal convictions, either in Nigeria or abroad. He also highlighted the importance of verifying that candidates have no involvement in serious crimes such as human trafficking, organ harvesting, or drug trafficking. “Make sure that they have a clearly identified and verifiable family lineage and that their source of wealth is not rooted in fraud and such other crimes,” he added.
Furthermore, Shehu warned against electing candidates with a history of abandoning their constituencies after winning elections. “Confirm that such an aspirant is not one of those who had in the past or who is likely in the future to abandon his constituency and relocate to Abuja after winning elections,” he said. He urged voters to carry out a comprehensive personality and character audit, cautioning against being swayed by physical appearance, fashion, or luxury vehicles. In addition, he recommended that voters demand written commitments from candidates, including enforceable Memoranda of Understanding, and even record video evidence for future reference.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, Shehu’s advice underscores the growing need for a more discerning and engaged electorate, one that prioritizes substance over spectacle and integrity over image.
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