“Poverty as a Political Tool: A Dangerous Pattern in African Governance” — Ex-Presidential Aspirant CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo

Former Presidential Aspirant and Founder of Better Nigeria for Better People, Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, in a statement released yesterday, observed that across many African societies there is a troubling pattern where issues are often ignored until they grow into full-blown crises. According to him, early signs of instability are frequently dismissed or downplayed, only to demand urgent attention when the damage has already spread. Insecurity, economic hardship, and social unrest, he noted, rarely emerge overnight but are usually the result of prolonged neglect and unresolved grievances.

Speaking further, Ezendigbo explained that banditry, for instance, did not begin at its peak. It started somewhere, with warning signals that could have been addressed earlier. He stressed that the critical question should always be who noticed the first signs and why they were not acted upon. In his view, no insecurity is truly beyond the capacity of a determined and accountable government; what often makes citizens vulnerable is not merely the absence of resources, but the absence of timely action and the unfair distribution of opportunities.

He added that economic hardship further deepens public vulnerability. When large portions of the population struggle to afford basic daily meals, desperation inevitably grows. Under such conditions, short-term financial incentives close to election periods can easily influence decisions — not necessarily because people lack principles, but because survival becomes the priority. Poverty, he argued, then shifts from being a social challenge to becoming a political instrument.

Ezendigbo also maintained that it is difficult to claim that nations such as Nigeria lack wealth entirely. Rather, the more pressing concern is inequality, where resources remain concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority experience scarcity. He warned that when citizens consistently feel frustrated or unheard, trust in public institutions weakens, and political promises begin to sound like temporary relief instead of long-term solutions.

He concluded by emphasizing that meaningful progress requires governments to move beyond reactive measures and embrace proactive leadership. Addressing insecurity, reducing inequality, and strengthening public trust, he said, demand consistent policies, transparency, and genuine commitment to citizens’ welfare — not only during election seasons, but every day.