Running for an office and running the office

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, reflections are being cast on the critical differences between running for office and running the office. In this upcoming election season, politicians are set to engage in familiar activities such as defections, coalitions, declarations, endorsements, rallies, manifestos, and carefully planned appearances.

However, it is crucial for Nigerians to ask a more fundamental question: Are they choosing individuals knowledgeable in running for office or those skilled in governing?

Running for office necessitates political machinery, financial resources, networks, visibility, messaging, party structures, coalition-building, and the ability to mobilize voters. In contrast, running the office requires qualities such as judgment, competence, discipline, integrity, policy knowledge, the ability to build teams, manage institutions, make tough choices, and accept responsibility for the consequences. The skills required to secure election are not always the same as those needed to effectively govern.

Nigeria has a history of overlooking this distinction, only realizing it after elections are won and governments have formed. The campaign is not the job; it is merely a means to an end. Political culture has become adept at evaluating campaigns while neglecting to scrutinize the governing capacity of candidates. Voters often focus on a candidate's background, political structures, endorsements, religion, ethnicity, zoning, and electoral arithmetic, but none of these factors guarantee competence once in office.

A candidate may excel at winning elections but lack the understanding of economics, public administration, national security, or institutional reform necessary for effective governance.

As Nigeria faces significant economic pressures, insecurity, unemployment, declining public trust, and a rapidly changing international environment, it cannot afford to continue electing leaders solely on their ability to win elections. The stakes in 2027 are unusually high, demanding sophisticated leadership capable of managing complex institutions that affect millions of lives.

Leaders should not be treated as political apprentices or compensated with ministerial appointments without demonstrating their ability to govern responsibly.

Nigerians must become more demanding in their assessment of candidates. Every serious contender should be required to showcase their past management experience and the improvements that resulted from it. For those who have previously held public office, voters should examine their records rather than the often-romanticized narratives surrounding them.

Whether candidates have held public office, come from the private sector, civil society, or other professions, they should all be held to the same standard of demonstrating measurable achievements in their institutional record, difficult decisions, leadership choices, and ability to translate ideas into tangible outcomes.

Additionally, voters should closely examine the people surrounding candidates. No leader governs alone, and the quality of leadership is often reflected in the caliber of individuals they attract, trust, and listen to. A politician surrounded by unquestioning supporters raises concerns, as does a candidate who cannot tolerate dissent once they gain power.

The advisers, political associates, and individuals entrusted with responsibility during a campaign can provide an early indication of the governing culture that may follow. In 2027, manifestos should be treated as prospective governing contracts, with promises for job creation, security, poverty reduction, and institutional reform being specifically addressed with clear explanations of what they entail, the resources involved, and realistic timelines.