Nigeria's Politics Stuck in a Poverty‑Driven Voting Cycle

An opinion piece argues that Nigeria’s political elite have turned voting into a survival tactic, coining the phrase “Dìbò k’ó se’bẹ̀” – vote and make soup. The author says candidates offer no policies or manifestos, only short‑term handouts like cash and food, keeping voters focused on immediate hunger rather than long‑term planning.

Referencing Lenin’s view that revolutions arise in times of rising prosperity, the piece claims the elite deliberately maintain low‑level poverty to prevent organized dissent. This approach, the author warns, fuels disenchantment, insecurity and hampers Nigeria’s competitiveness in global development, while also eroding Yoruba communal values.