Nigeria, Jan. 31 -- In the world of politics, there is an unspoken art of saying one thing and meaning another. It is a craft honed by many, but few have perfected it as well as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nigerian politicians. At the heart of their rhetoric lies a commonality-an uncanny ability to deny past statements, shift positions to suit present interests, and exploit the public's short memory.

Kennedy's recent confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump's nominee for Health Secretary has once again exposed this trait, much like the insincerities Nigerians have come to expect from their political leaders. While RFK Jr. struggled to clarify his stance on vaccines, abortion, and public health policies, Nigerian politicians continue ...