The reputation of parliamentarians is increasingly under scrutiny as factors de-marketing their public perception continue to dog the media space. Under democracy, parliamentarians are often subjected to bigger scrutiny because they are expected to hold other arms of government especially the executive accountable. But Nigerians don’t trust their parliamentarians because of their conduct and the ostentatious way of life they exhibit. Where trust is paramount, these factors shape public opinion and often taint the integrity of elected officials.

Some Nigerians believe some of the parliamentarians do not know why they are in the national or state assemblies. Some are yet to come to terms with the business of lawmaking and playing the oversight role. The legislators have often been caught putting their hands into shady deals and are allegedly corrupt. They have inadvertently given the perception that they don’t understand why they are either at the National Assembly, Abuja as federal legislators, or their various state capitals where state assemblies are located to make money.

Declining Trust
At the heart of the matter lies a declining trust in the political representatives. Scandals, corruption allegations, and unethical behaviour have eroded the public’s faith in those entrusted to serve their interests. Random surveys in Abuja indicate a significant portion of the populace views politicians with skepticism, perceiving them as self-serving rather than community-focused. Indeed, some Nigerians believe they serve only themselves and their families—instances of elected legislators appointing their children and in-laws as legislative aides abound.

The Senator, representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi shook the fragile integrity left with the Senate when in an interview with a foreign radio station, he alleged that parliamentarians padded the 2024 budget. On 13 March 2024, the Senate applied the big hammer on the Senator by suspending him for three months. The development at the Senate further affected the confidence Nigerians have in legislators negatively.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume while featuring in a television programme on the death penalty as a deterrent for those caught with drugs, said when politicians’ corruption is compared to others, it is a “small one’.

His words: “If you compare us, politicians, to all the corruption, it is very small. Our corruption is people-driven. If you steal it, you will go and share it with the people. If you don’t, you are not coming back for four years. There is no reason for stealing”.

“I have been to the National Assembly; I can’t say because we are on TV now and not telling the truth. If the death penalty is supposed to be included in corruption, I will support it but you don’t go and kill someone that stole one million or one billion, no. But someone who steals one trillion of government money should be killed.

But a good number of Nigerians believe the legislative arm of government is the headquarters of corruption. Mr. Andrew Bassey, (Not real name) a civil servant in Abuja said the legislators have their hands in every pie in the country. In contracts awarded by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA), most federal legislators send contractors, particularly Committees supervising the MDA awarding the contract. He said should there be employment vacancies in MDAs, the parliamentarians send their relatives to fill the vacancies. “The long list from the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa will make it irrelevant to advertise such job vacancies “, he said.

Partisan Polarization
The rise of partisan polarization further exacerbates the issue. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue and bipartisan cooperation, parliamentarians often prioritize party loyalty over the common good. This political tribalism fosters an “us’ versus ‘them’ ” mentality, alienating large segments of the population and eroding public confidence in the legislative process. According to Mr. Arisekola Ibrahim Esq. an Abuja-based legal practitioner, perhaps the only time bipartisan cooperation works is when they want to share money or recently when cars were allocated to them and some of them ignored the call from their parties not to accept the cars.

Lack of Transparency
Transparency is fundamental to maintaining public trust, yet many parliamentarians are criticized for operating behind closed doors. The sharing formula of funds for constituency projects on 13 March 2024 threw the Senate into a rowdy session, as Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, alleged that while ‘ranking ‘ senators got N500 million, others got as low as N75 million. The disclosure came on the day the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), had alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.
Decisions made in opaque environments breed suspicion and undermine the democratic principles of accountability and openness. Without transparency, the gap between representatives and constituents widens, fueling discontent and disenchantment.

Ineffective Communication
Effective communication is essential for bridging the divide between parliamentarians and the public. However, many representatives struggle to convey their policies and decisions in a relatable manner. Complex jargon, convoluted rhetoric, and a disconnect from the realities of everyday citizens contribute to a perception of aloofness and detachment.

Social Media and Misinformation
The advent of social media has revolutionized how information is disseminated, but it has also become a double-edged sword for parliamentarians. While platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for engagement, they also amplify misinformation and facilitate the spread of sensationalized narratives. Falsehoods and half-truths can tarnish reputations and distort public perception, further eroding trust in elected officials.

Solving de-marketing challenges
The factors demarketing parliamentarians in public perception are multifaceted and deeply entrenched within the political landscape. Reversing this trend requires concerted efforts to rebuild trust, foster transparency, improve communication and combat misinformation. Ultimately, restoring faith in elected representatives is essential for preserving the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring a government that truly serves the people.