A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, has urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to stop making promises they know they cannot fulfil, warning that Nigerians deserve honesty rather than campaign rhetoric.

Maraya, a former Special Adviser to two former Kaduna State governors, gave the warning while commenting on the country’s economic situation and the promises already emerging as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.

The cleric particularly cautioned politicians against promising to restore the petrol subsidy, saying such commitments should not be made simply to win the support of Nigerians without explaining how the government would finance them.

He argued that politicians must be realistic about the country’s financial position and tell citizens the truth about what the government can afford.

Maraya said restoring the subsidy would require huge public expenditure and could place additional pressure on government finances at a time when Nigeria is already dealing with significant economic challenges.

He therefore urged political aspirants to present Nigerians with practical and sustainable policies instead of making attractive promises that could become difficult or impossible to implement after they assume office.

According to him, the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for candidates to explain clearly how they intend to address the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, rather than turning the campaign period into a competition over unrealistic promises.

The cleric also advocated greater investment in Nigeria’s petroleum refining capacity, stressing the need to rehabilitate existing refineries and ensure that they operate efficiently.

He maintained that improving domestic refining would reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products, conserve foreign exchange and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.

Maraya further called on political leaders to focus on policies capable of improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians through job creation, economic growth and better access to essential services.

He urged Nigerians not to judge political candidates solely by the promises they make during campaigns but to examine their records, programmes and capacity to deliver on their commitments.

The Islamic scholar said political leaders should be held accountable for their promises, adding that responsible governance requires leaders to make commitments that are achievable within the available resources.

He also urged politicians to place national interest above personal and partisan considerations, saying the country’s economic challenges require serious policy decisions rather than political slogans.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, political parties and prospective candidates are expected to roll out their programmes and campaign messages across the country.

Maraya’s warning comes amid growing public debate over the policies that should guide Nigeria’s economic recovery and the measures needed to reduce the burden of rising living costs on citizens.

He maintained that politicians seeking Nigerians’ votes should be prepared to tell the electorate not only what they want to do, but also how they intend to achieve it.

For the cleric, the 2027 election should therefore be a contest of realistic ideas and workable solutions, rather than a race to make promises that may be abandoned once political power is secured.