By Bishop Aniede
It is unacceptable for politicians to engage in dishonesty or deceit. Every democratic system is built upon the foundation of openness, accountability, and trust between the people and their government. Political leaders who indulge in lies weaken the legitimacy of governance and erode public confidence in the institutions that should serve the common good.
Honesty in politics is essential for maintaining an informed and participatory electorate. Citizens depend on reliable information to make wise decisions about leadership and public policy. When truth is replaced by deception, the people’s capacity for civic reasoning and meaningful participation in democracy is greatly diminished (Stitzlein, 2024). Furthermore, when citizens lose faith in their representatives, corruption and the abuse of power become inevitable, leading to social instability and national distrust (Warren, 2017).
Some may argue that political deceit is sometimes necessary for strategic or national security reasons, but such reasoning is morally questionable. It sets a dangerous precedent where power becomes more important than conscience. Honesty and transparency, though demanding, remain the surest paths to building sustainable governance and enduring public trust (Martin et al., 2020).
Therefore, honesty and integrity must remain non-negotiable values in Nigerian politics. Upholding these virtues not only strengthens democracy but also promotes justice, peace, and the overall well-being of society.
References
Martin, A., Orr, R., Peyton, K., & Faulkner, N. (2020). Political probity increases trust in government: Evidence from randomized survey experiments. PLoS ONE, 15(3), e0229670. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229670
Stitzlein, S. M. (2024). Honesty and democracy. In Teaching honesty in a populist era: Emphasizing truth in the education of citizens (pp. 1–12). Oxford University Press. https://academic.oup.com/book/57527
Warren, M. E. (2017). Trust and democracy. In E. Uslaner (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of social and political trust (pp. 75–94). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190274801.013.6
Simeon Aniede is an Enugu based Bishop, Public and Political analyst.
English