How Governor Sule is redefining trust in Nasarawa
By Ali Abare
In the vibrant and often chaotic landscape of Nigerian politics, the campaign promise is a familiar thread, woven with grand declarations and hopeful visions for a better future. Yet, for many citizens, this thread has worn, worn thin by a long history of pledges that unravel once the elections are won and the celebrations fade.
This has bred a deep-seated cynicism, a perception that politicians are masters of the art of the promise but apprentices in the science of its delivery. It is a narrative etched into the collective consciousness of the electorate, a story where pledges are made to win votes, not to transform lives.
However, in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule is diligently working to rewrite this story, stitching a new narrative with threads of tangible action and unwavering commitment, demonstrating that a promise made can indeed be a promise kept.
The tendency for politicians to overpromise is not merely a Nigerian phenomenon; it is a global political strategy. Research suggests that politicians often make ambitious pledges not necessarily because they expect to fulfil them all but to signal their priorities and energize their base.
This creates a chasm between political poetry and governing prose, leaving citizens disillusioned. In West Africa, this gap has prompted the rise of “promise trackers” like the Buharimeter in Nigeria and the Mackymetre in Senegal, initiatives designed to hold leaders accountable to their campaign vows.
These tools underscore a fundamental demand from the citizenry: transparency and delivery. As Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, once quipped, the only sin of a politician can be “talking too much before the elections,” for which they must later “pay the price” of public scrutiny.
It is against this backdrop of accountability that Governor Sule’s administration stands out, not for making the most promises, but for demonstrating a consistent dedication to fulfilling them.
Governor Sule’s approach mirrors a broader, though often overlooked, trend where some Nigerian governors are consciously building legacies on delivery rather than rhetoric. In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde has staked his reputation on promises kept, pointing to achievements like securing sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a key campaign pledge, and consistently paying workers’ salaries on the 25th of every month, a date now known as ‘GSM day’. His administration has also overseen the construction and rehabilitation of over 500 kilometres of roads, directly linking this infrastructural development to economic growth, as seen in the new agribusinesses springing up along the completed 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road.
Similarly, in Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed has been acknowledged for significant strides in education, such as the construction and rehabilitation of over 470 classrooms, and in healthcare, where he launched an ambitious Universal Health Coverage program.
Even the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has publicly claimed a 70% fulfilment rate of his campaign promises, highlighting policies like extending the retirement age for teachers. These examples provide a crucial context: while the challenge is immense, a focus on credible promise-keeping is possible and is being demonstrated by a number of leaders.
For Governor Sule, the commitment to keeping his word began with the most fundamental promise any government can make: the security of life and property. He recognized that without a secure environment, all other development efforts would be stillborn.
His administration, therefore, prioritized a robust security strategy, investing in modern equipment, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
This focus has yielded tangible results, leading to the dislodgement of criminal elements in key areas and a significant reduction in incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery, thereby restoring a sense of safety and normalcy for the people of Nasarawa.
The recent security threats in and around Lafia have not been met with denial or inaction but with a heightened and multi-layered response from the state government.
The situation appears to have triggered a practical implementation of his long-stated commitment, moving from policy statements to tangible actions like community profiling, tech acquisition plans, and targeted deployments.
While the efficacy of these measures will ultimately be determined by a sustained reduction in crime rates and the restoration of public confidence, the government’s recent actions demonstrate an attempt to align its operational response with its proclaimed security priorities .
Building on this foundation of security, Governor Sule’s administration has embarked on an ambitious infrastructural revolution, understanding that where roads go, development follows. His focus has been on connecting agrarian communities to urban markets, thereby stimulating economic activity and reducing post-harvest losses for farmers.
The construction of critical road networks across the state is not just about bitumen and asphalt; it is about creating pathways for prosperity, reducing travel time, and opening up previously inaccessible areas for investment.
Furthermore, his government has paid keen attention to urban renewal projects, improving internal roads and public utilities to enhance the quality of life for residents in the state’s growing cities. This deliberate investment in infrastructure is a visible and concrete testament to promises being translated into reality.
Perhaps one of the most telling indicators of Governor Sule’s commitment to credible promises is his focus on technical competence and long-term quality. A standout example of this approach can be seen in the initiatives of other governors who prioritize sustainability.
For instance, Governor Seyi Makinde in Oyo State pioneered the use of an Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA), ensuring vital infrastructure projects could continue despite limited funds He also inaugurated a State Technical and Expatriate Monitoring Committee on Engineering Regulations, mandating that all projects be supervised by professionals to prevent building collapses and ensure high standards.
While these are examples from Oyo, they illustrate a governance philosophy that Governor Sule embodies: a focus on the how of implementation, not just the what. This meticulous attention to durable, long-term development separates a true promise-keeper from a short-term performer.
The ultimate test of any government’s promise is its impact on the human condition. Governor Sule’s policies have been sharply focused on human capital development, particularly in the critical areas of education and healthcare.
In education, his administration has worked to improve access and quality, investing in classroom infrastructure, teaching materials, and teacher welfare to ensure that the children of Nasarawa can compete favourably anywhere in the world.
In healthcare, the focus has been on revitalizing primary healthcare centres to bring quality medical service closer to the people, especially those in rural communities.
These investments in people may not always be as immediately visible as a new bridge, but they are the most profound form of promise-keeping, as they build the future itself by investing in the state’s most valuable asset: its people.
In a democracy, the citizens are the ultimate scorekeepers. The growing culture of accountability, exemplified by initiatives like the “Oyo Progress Watch,” which tracks government manifesto promises, shows that the electorate is increasingly vigilant.
Such groups provide a sober and balanced assessment, celebrating wins while transparently highlighting areas where delivery has fallen short, as they did with several of Governor Makinde’s pledges. This demonstrates that the narrative is changing from absolute cynicism to critical engagement.
Citizens are no longer passive recipients of political speeches; they are active participants, demanding evidence of progress. A leader like Governor Sule, who consistently works to deliver on his word, stands to benefit from this shift. His actions build a reservoir of trust that earns him the benefit of the doubt and the patience of the people, even when challenges arise.
The perception that politicians hardly keep promises is a deep-rooted one, forged in the fire of countless disappointments. However, in Nasarawa State, Governor Sule is diligently working to quench that fire with the water of tangible performance.
By prioritizing security, driving infrastructural development, empowering his people, and insisting on technical excellence, he is demonstrating that the value of a political promise is not in its grandiosity during a campaign rally, but in its eventual translation into the lived experience of the people.
He governs with the understanding that trust is the most precious currency in leadership, and it is earned not by speaking, but by doing. In a political landscape often clouded by rhetoric, Governor Sule’s commitment to action is a clear signal that a new dawn of accountable governance is not just possible but is already being delivered.
Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule
