2027 - AS FOR ME, ONLY ONE THING CAN MOTIVATE ME TO VOTE FOR ANY LEADER IN THE COMING GENERAL ELECTION: THE RELEASE OF NNAMDI KANU, NOT THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES - NWASIR AGUWA.

As For Me, Only One Thing Can Motivate Me to Vote for Any Leader in the Coming General Election: The Release of Nnamdi Kanu, Not the Campaign Promises

Introduction

As another general election approaches, politicians across Nigeria are once again filling the air with promises. Billboards, jingles, rallies, and social media campaigns have begun to dominate conversations. From pledges to fix electricity, to promises of job creation, to assurances of infrastructural development, the political class is lining up the same words they have spoken before. Yet for me, none of these campaign promises can inspire my vote.

Why? Because over the years, I have realized that promises are cheap, easily spoken, but rarely fulfilled. Nigerian political history is full of broken promises, dashed hopes, and repeated cycles of disappointment. Today, if there is one thing that can motivate me to stand in line on election day and cast my ballot for any leader, it is not their campaign speeches. It is not their manifestos. It is not their colorful rallies.

For me, there is only one thing that matters: the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Until this issue is addressed sincerely, no campaign slogan can resonate with me. The freedom of Nnamdi Kanu has become, for me, not just about one man, but about justice, equity, and the political sincerity of those who claim they want to lead Nigeria into a better future.

This blog is a long reflection on why this issue matters more to me than any political promise, how Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has shaped national conversations, and why his release would be the ultimate litmus test for any leader seeking my vote.

The Problem With Campaign Promises

Every election season in Nigeria, the script seems familiar. Politicians crisscross the country making the same pledges:

• “We will fix electricity.”

• “We will create millions of jobs.”

• “We will build better roads and schools.”

• “We will end corruption.”

Yet, decades after independence, Nigerians are still living with epileptic power supply, collapsed industries, a failing healthcare system, and massive unemployment.

The problem is not that Nigerians don’t want progress. The problem is that campaign promises have become a political ritual — an empty performance, rather than a sincere contract with the people.

I have personally lived through elections where leaders promised heaven and earth, only for nothing to change. In fact, sometimes, things even got worse. The more promises are made, the more mistrust deepens. Campaign words have lost their meaning.

This is why, as far as I am concerned, no political party or leader can win me over with promises anymore. My interest is no longer in what they say they will do. My interest is in what they actually do before asking for my vote.

Why Nnamdi Kanu Matters

For some people, the name Nnamdi Kanu triggers strong emotions. To some, he is a freedom fighter, a voice for the oppressed, a man who dared to speak about issues others were too afraid to raise. To others, he is controversial, divisive, and a rebel against the state.

But one thing is undeniable: Nnamdi Kanu is a symbol. He represents the frustrations, hopes, and struggles of millions of people who feel marginalized, silenced, and excluded from the Nigerian project.

His arrest, detention, and continued trial are not just legal issues; they are deeply political. They raise questions about justice, human rights, and whether Nigeria can truly operate as a democracy.

For me, supporting his release is not just about him as a person. It is about standing for fairness. It is about questioning why dialogue has been replaced with detention. It is about demanding that the Nigerian state handle dissent with maturity, not force.

When a government cannot resolve political grievances through discussion but instead uses imprisonment, it tells us a lot about its sincerity. Therefore, any leader who truly wants to earn my vote must show courage by releasing Nnamdi Kanu and proving that they value justice more than political convenience.

Broken Trust Between Leaders and the People

Trust is the foundation of democracy. Without trust, no government can be truly legitimate. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, trust has been repeatedly broken.

People no longer believe in campaign manifestos because promises have been recycled without fulfillment. Elections have become a transaction, not a covenant. Leaders often use tribal sentiments, religious appeals, or financial inducements to win votes, only to abandon the people afterwards.

Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has further deepened this trust deficit. Instead of addressing the genuine grievances of a large population, the government chose the path of force. Instead of seeking reconciliation, they sought confrontation.

This is why his release is, to me, the ultimate test of sincerity. If a leader can release Nnamdi Kanu, it would mean they are willing to heal wounds, restore trust, and approach governance with fairness. It would show they are not afraid of dialogue. It would prove they are not just another politician making empty promises, but a statesman ready to reconcile a divided nation.

The Symbolism of His Release

The release of Nnamdi Kanu would not just be about one man walking free. It would be a powerful symbolic act with far-reaching implications:

1. Healing Old Wounds – Many people in the South-East see his detention as an attack on their voice. Releasing him would calm tensions and reduce feelings of exclusion.

2. Restoring Faith in Democracy – It would send a signal that Nigeria is still a democracy where dissent is allowed, not a dictatorship where voices are silenced.

3. Showing True Leadership – Any leader who can courageously take this step would demonstrate they value justice over fear and reconciliation over division.

4. Reducing Insecurity – Much of the unrest in the South-East is linked to agitation for Kanu’s release. Freeing him could reduce violence, creating room for peace.

5. Uniting the Nation – Symbolic acts often matter more than speeches. His release would be seen as a unifying gesture in a country that is already deeply divided along ethnic and political lines.

This is why, to me, no campaign promise can compare to the real action of releasing Nnamdi Kanu.

Why Campaign Promises Ring Hollow

Let us be honest: we have heard it all before. A leader says they will give us uninterrupted power supply. Another says they will build refineries. Another says they will fight corruption to the end.

Yet, after all the promises, Nigeria remains where it is — even regressing in some areas. Campaign manifestos sound good on paper, but the lived reality of Nigerians is different. Poverty remains high. Youth unemployment is rising. Security challenges are worsening.

This is why many people are no longer interested in what politicians say during campaigns. We want action, not speeches. We want results, not rhetoric. For me, the release of Nnamdi Kanu would be the ultimate action that proves a leader’s sincerity.

The Role of Justice in Governance

A nation cannot thrive without justice. Justice is not about favoring one group over another; it is about fairness for all.

The continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, despite calls from prominent leaders, international organizations, and even court rulings, raises questions about whether Nigeria truly respects justice.

When the law is applied selectively, when some people are forgiven and reintegrated while others are punished harshly, it creates resentment. It sends the message that justice is not blind but political.

If a leader wants to convince me they are different, they must start by correcting this injustice. They must prove they are willing to uphold the principle that justice delayed is justice denied.

The Litmus Test for My Vote

Every voter has something that guides their decision. For some, it is the promise of jobs. For others, it is religious or ethnic affiliation. For me, it is simple: the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Why? Because it is not just about him. It is about whether leaders are willing to listen, reconcile, and heal. It is about whether they can rise above politics and do what is right. It is about whether they value unity over division.

Until this happens, no campaign manifesto can touch me. No political speech can inspire me. No promises can motivate me.

My Message to Politicians

To those seeking votes in the coming general election, my message is clear: do not waste your time selling me campaign promises. I have heard them all before. If you want my vote, prove to me that you can act, not just talk.

Start by addressing the injustices in this country. Start by releasing Nnamdi Kanu. Start by showing us that you are different from the leaders who came before you.

Nigeria does not need more promises. We need bold actions that can rebuild trust and unite us again.

Conclusion

As the general election draws nearer, Nigerians will once again be bombarded with promises. But for me, only one thing matters. Only one action can convince me that a leader is serious about justice, unity, and reconciliation.

That one thing is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

No campaign speech, no promise of jobs, no plans for infrastructure can motivate me more than this. Because beyond the politics, beyond the rhetoric, lies a deeper truth: Nigeria cannot move forward without justice, and justice begins with freeing those unjustly detained for daring to speak their minds.

So, as far as I am concerned, in the coming election, my vote is not for sale to the highest campaigner. It is reserved only for the leader who proves their sincerity through action — and that action begins with the release of Nnamdi Kanu.