Cleric Tells Nigerians to Stop Blaming the System, Start Rejecting Bad Leaders

Our Reporter

Rev. Dr. Michael Jonathan Alhassan, President of the Peace and Dialogue Network, PDN, has told Nigerians that the country’s problem is not politics itself, but the quality of people practicing it.

“Politics itself is not dirty,” he said in a press statement released in Kaduna. “Politics is a system through which people organize society, choose leaders, make laws, provide development, and work for the common good. The problem is bad and corrupt politicians.”

He said that when honest and responsible people participate in politics, it becomes a tool for development, justice, peace and national progress. But when selfish and dishonest individuals take control, politics turns into a platform for personal enrichment and oppression.

According to Rev. Alhassan, Nigeria does not lack intelligent people, natural resources, talented youths, or hardworking citizens. “What we lack is responsible, accountable, sincere, and people-oriented leadership,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to stop celebrating politicians simply because they are rich, powerful, or influential, and to begin asking critical questions about their records, character and commitment to public service.

A major part of his message focused on the behaviour of politicians during election periods. “Before the election, they come to the people. They visit communities. They attend religious gatherings. They make promises. They promise employment. They promise roads. They promise hospitals. They promise security,” he said.

“But immediately after winning the election, many of them disappear. The same people who were important during the election suddenly become unimportant. The same communities they promised to develop are abandoned.”

He called on citizens to be vigilant and not to sell their conscience or the future of their children for temporary gifts, money, or empty promises. “Before you vote, investigate. Before you support, ask questions. Before you campaign, know the character and capacity of the person you are supporting. Political power belongs to the people. Do not allow anyone to deceive you,” he said.

Rev. Alhassan made a special appeal to Nigerian youths, urging them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence or to fight one another because of politicians.

“Do not destroy your community because somebody gave you money. Your life is more valuable than any politician’s ambition. Your future is more important than temporary political rewards. Use your voice. Use your vote. Use your conscience. Be peaceful and responsible,” he said.

He said PDN wants a Nigeria where leaders are accountable, public funds are used for public development, youths have opportunities, and there is justice, fairness, peace and unity.

He also stressed that leaders must remember the people not only during elections but throughout their time in office.

The clergyman warned against supporting candidates based only on tribe, religion, or political party.

“A bad leader remains a bad leader, regardless of where he or she comes from. We must choose competence over sentiments. We must choose character over empty promises. We must choose integrity over corruption. We must choose service over selfishness. We must choose peace over violence,” he said.

He concluded by saying that if Nigerians want a better country, they must work together to reject bad leadership and support responsible, competent and people-oriented leaders. “Together, we can build a better Nigeria. Together, we can build a society where leaders serve the people and where the people are respected,” he said.

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