According to a report by The Sun on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Senator Ireti Kingibe has cautioned that the practice of distributing food items and cash to citizens in the lead-up to elections does not resolve Nigeria’s deeper socioeconomic problems.
She stressed that such short-term interventions, often intensified during political periods, fail to create lasting improvements in the lives of the people and do not address the structural issues affecting national development.
The senator maintained that relying on palliative-style distributions during election seasons only offers temporary relief, which quickly fades without producing any meaningful transformation.
According to her, these actions do not tackle the underlying economic conditions that continue to affect citizens across different parts of the country.
She further emphasized the importance of focusing on long-term solutions that can strengthen governance systems and improve economic stability.
Kingibe noted that sustainable development requires deliberate policy choices and structural reforms capable of addressing unemployment, poverty, and other systemic challenges rather than episodic gestures tied to political cycles.
Speaking on national development and civic participation during an interview on ARISE News, she highlighted the need for political leaders to engage citizens through governance practices that reflect accountability and measurable progress.
She pointed out that voter engagement should be influenced more by tangible policy outcomes than by temporary incentives offered during elections.
The senator also urged political actors to redirect their attention toward policies that directly enhance the welfare of citizens.
She argued that governance should prioritize initiatives that deliver consistent and long-term benefits, rather than relying on short-lived relief measures that are often used to gain political support during election periods.
Kingibe additionally drew attention to the situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stressing that residents require more substantial government intervention that improves their everyday living conditions.
She noted that the FCT should reflect the effectiveness of government leadership through visible development outcomes rather than symbolic actions that do not significantly improve quality of life.
“They need so many other things that I’m unable to give to them, but that the administrator and the executive arm can easily give to them. The FCT should be the showcase for the presidency because this is the seat of his government,” she urged.
