Former lawmaker and public affairs commentator, Senator Shehu Sani, has criticised the structure of political governance in Nigeria, stating that successive administrations devote as much as 80 percent of their four-year tenure to preparing for the next general election rather than focusing on actual governance.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Sani described the phenomenon as a recurring pattern that undermines developmental progress and weakens public confidence in leadership.

“In Nigeria, we only stop talking about elections in the first year after voting,” Sani said. “From the second year, the next campaign begins. That’s why 80 percent of every administration’s four-year term is spent preparing for another election.”

Breakdown of the Governance Cycle

Sani elaborated on how the typical Nigerian political cycle unfolds:

* First Year: The newly elected government focuses on post-election legal challenges, cabinet formation, and initial policy rollouts.

* Second Year: According to Sani, this is often the only window when genuine governance occurs.

* Third Year: Focus shifts to internal political calculations, party primaries, and succession politics.

* Fourth Year: Activities largely revolve around campaigning, re-election strategies, and transitions, with governance taking a back seat.

The former Kaduna Central senator expressed concern that this trend deprives the nation of long-term policy implementation and limits the ability of leaders to make meaningful impact before being consumed by electoral considerations.

Call for Structural Change

Sani’s remarks highlight growing concerns about Nigeria’s political culture, where governance is frequently overshadowed by electioneering.

He called for a reorientation of leadership priorities, stressing that sustainable development cannot occur under a perpetual campaign environment.

“Our democracy cannot thrive if leaders are more focused on retaining power than delivering on promises,” he said.

He also suggested that political appointments should be based on merit, with competent individuals drawn from across regions and sectors to ensure effective service delivery.

Security and Governance 

While pointing out the inefficiencies of the political system, Sani acknowledged that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu has shown signs of improvement in the area of security, particularly with a reduction in mass kidnappings in the North.

However, he maintained that without structural reforms, including a shift in how political office is approached, meaningful governance will remain elusive.

The Disconnect

The former senator’s comments come amid growing public discourse about the disconnect between political officeholders and the electorate.

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Critics have long argued that politicians begin campaigning too early into their tenures, undermining governance and using public resources to fuel re-election bids.

Sani’s remarks further reinforce calls by civic groups and policy experts for a more efficient governance cycle — one where service delivery, accountability, and public interest are prioritised over political survival.