Ahead of 2024 Christmas celebration, millions of Nigerians find themselves struggling with increasing poverty, economic hardship and a collapsing economy. In the midst of this crisis, top politicians like Senator Godswill Akpabio, Atiku Abubakar, among others, issued their traditional Christmas messages of peace, love, and unity. However, some Nigerians blast the politicians for what they see as “empty rhetorics. They told Medialord.ng that these messages are nothing more than vague words designed to mask the bitter reality they face.
The aggrieved citizens appear fed up with the usual political platitudes from Nigeria’s top leaders. They argue that their lives remain unchanged, despite the yearly messages. Nigerians blast the politicians for widespread poverty, unemployment, corruption, and general hopelessness.
Lola Akinsanya, a small business owner, summarized the feelings of many: “We’re sick of these messages that never lead to real change. If they (politicians) were sincere, people won’t be driven by hunger to go and die in stampedes. They’ve had enough time to fix the problems, and all we get are empty speeches. This is not a Christmas issue; it’s a leadership issue.”
“We are tired of being told to reflect, embrace unity, and celebrate love, while enduring unrelenting hardship,” said Daniel Akpoti, a youth leader. He, like others, see such messages as another attempt to placate them with feel-good statements, rather than addressing the systemic issues that have left them in dire straits.
“Every Christmas is the same story. Politicians get on the media, deliver their speeches, and disappear. Meanwhile, we are still hungry, still struggling,” said Chinedu Okafor, a mechanic in Lagos. “It’s become a tradition. But this year, I am not falling for it anymore. We need action, not speeches.”
The familiar routine while Nigerians blast politicians
This year’s Christmas messages form part of a tired routine. As usual, the leaders stress spreading of peace, love, and unity.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, spoke in that same familiar tone. A statement signed by his spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh, urged Nigerians to spread love, kindness, and generosity during the festive period.
“In the spirit of the season, I encourage you all to spread love, kindness, and generosity. Let us remember those in need and offer a helping hand as much as possible…Let us remember the true essence of Christmas: peace, love, and unity,” he said. He concluded by wishing the nation “God’s abundant blessings” and called for a better Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also echoed similar sentiments. He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and compassion. Atiku called on Nigerians to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas while offering gratitude despite the national struggles. “Let us, therefore, come together to share love and joy with all people of goodwill,” Atiku said.
Angry voices of the masses
“Every year it’s the same thing,” said Ade Taiwo, a youth activist. “These politicians think that just saying ‘peace and love’ will solve anything. We need jobs, we need security, we need power not speeches.”
For many, the disconnect between the leaders and the people has never been more obvious. Hajiya Zainab Bello, an advocate for women’s rights, shared her frustration: “These politicians are quick to talk about peace and unity, but they don’t live like the rest of us. They don’t know what it’s like to go days without food, to struggle to pay for children’s school fees, to face insecurity daily.”
Political analysts also questioning the sincerity of these holiday messages. Tunde Olawale, a political scientist, noted: “The Christmas messages from Akpabio and Atiku reflect the same old political rhetoric. They fail to acknowledge the failure of the political system they’ve been part of. The leadership crisis has gone on for years, and all they offer is ‘peace and love’ during Christmas. Meanwhile, the country’s problems deepen.”
Even some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), like Oluwaseun Adebayo from Oyo State, expressed anger at Atiku’s message. “Atiku talks about love and unity, but where was the unity when PDP was in power? We have been betrayed by those in power, and now they expect us to fall for their empty words every Christmas,” Adebayo said.
Church leaders call for genuine change
Even some clergy members are no longer hiding their frustration with the political elite. Pastor Enoch Adeboye of RCCG, recently asked political leaders to be more transparent and accountable.
Similarly, Apostle Samuel Paul, a fiery cleric, addressed the growing frustration. “We can no longer pretend that all is well,” he said. “We hear the same words of peace and love every Christmas, but we see no change. If these politicians truly understood the message of Christ, they would show more compassion by fixing the problems of this country.”
He further pointed out the hypocrisy of political leaders who promote religious messages of peace while fostering a political climate of division and strife. “The true message of Christmas is one of service, sacrifice, and genuine love for the people. What we see instead is a self-serving political class,” he added.
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