“Giving money and power to the government is like giving whiskey and car keys to a teenage boy” – P.J. O’Rourke
Politicians like it when they win and are in power but something uncouth prevents them from maximally enjoying the power and that thing is the fear of losing it. As a result, going forward their actions and inactions are largely determined by how they perceive the ending. That is why it’s said that it is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.
In history, most of those who use power end up having challenges when they are out of it.
In this political dispensation, four political characters stand out when discussing those who maximally enjoyed power and never imagined it would end one day.
They are Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. It’s not in doubt that these power mongers effectively and arrogantly enjoyed it when it lasted. Most of their actions when in power were absolute and unilateral.
Even as it became obvious to them that they must one day go they ensured that nobody or group had an input on who succeeded them. The motive was very clear to ensure that they continued in power by proxy. They determined who was the Governor in their state, who became state and federal legislators as well as councilors and local Government Chairmen. Their power appropriation was total and unmistakable.
Not even a father’s inheritance could be so blatantly shared without recourse to the critical shareholders but these men did it without blinking an eye.
But what is intriguing about the transcendence of power is that you may have the right and power to do as you please when you are on the throne, but with it comes the basic human duty of taking the consequences. The tiger rider sure has absolute joy especially if he fails to put his mind to when and how he would get down eventually.
That perhaps explains why American comedian P.J. O’Rourke who gave us the opening quote of this conversation above also tries further to remind us that “once you have built the big machinery of political power, remember you won’t always be the one to run it.” The reason why vehicle drivers succeed in avoiding certain potholes on the road is because they anticipate that the hole will be there and engage their break gear early enough. That is for cautious drivers.
When Governor Ganduje decided to apply absolute power in his kitty and drove away the 14th Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi Lamido from his throne and even banished him to Loko, a remote town in Nasarawa State in 2020 and rewrote the history of the town bastardizing the emirate into five, he didn’t envisage today, that Pharaoh that does not know Joseph will mount the throne in Egypt or that another who also enjoys use of power like him but from different perspective will arrive the stage.
Today, he is not only struggling for himself not to be sent to jail for corruption but that the seed of discord he sowed in the Kano royal family is germinating and growing. Either way, the Kano emirate tussle goes, Governor Ganduje will be on record as the man who fueled it.
Similarly, in neighbouring Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai was another Maximum Governor who used his power indiscriminately unperturbed of any possible consequences. His reign witnessed the worst bloodshed in the state and his bigoted policy created more division in the religiously and tribally heterogeneous community. He banished the Muslim/Christian ticket that had given the State peace and harmony for the same faith ticket and boasted about how he even successfully exported the obnoxious and divisive idea to the federal level.
He acted with impunity in all aspects of governance, demolishing the business premises of perceived political enemies, and frustrating the political ambition of rivals even when the people wanted them. He ensured that legislators who queried his reckless loan collection were denied return tickets.
He made sure he chose the next generation of political leaders in Kaduna State at all levels.
But today, he is struggling to clear himself of various misdemeanors lined up by the same people he installed. One of the traditional rulers he threw away has just regained his position, the assembly members he single-handedly picked are asking the EFCC to apprehend him, and the youths are calling for his corruption trial. Only his children whom he forced on the people are acting as his attack dogs and their impact is not there because they are seen as beneficiaries of fraud and abuse of power. In just 12 months El rufai is in valley in Kaduna.
Not to forget the white lion of Kogi State, YAHAYA Bello whose youthful exuberance with power was unparalleled. He was god unto himself and crushed voices opposed to his greed and avarice. To meet his jaundiced desire he had to break the zoning rules of his state to pick his relation as his successor and wanted any aggrieved person to go to hell. Today, the white lion is hibernating in the bush where he was the King and uncourageous to face the law for some of his actions. He did not envisage a time like now will come.
Then coming down South, to Rivers State, we had one Nyesom Wike whose fear of losing power drove him crazy and exposed him as the greatest power drunk of this dispensation. Anything standing on his way to being in the corridor of power was to be crushed, whether human beings, relations, associates, or political parties.
His State was the only State his party’s Presidential candidate ATIKU Abubakar could not campaign during the 2023 electioneering because he was brutal and didn’t want to take chances.
He was so afraid of succession and decided to empower a reserved apolitical accountant friend of his and even picked forms for all the legislators whether federal or state to ensure he pocketed the next dispensation of leaders in his State. He did not even give room for any contest within the party.
Wike’s despotism was apparent in that he could not even allow his successor to pick his cook or cleaner in office to talkless of Commissioners, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government, etc. He was more than a proxy Governor even when he is a serving Minister. Even to kiss his wife, the successor needed permission.
Those very familiar with power know that a thing like this hardly lasts and it didn’t take long before the bubble burst. Last week Wike’s statue was given Saddam Hussein treatment, defining the mighty fall of an absolute leader.
How can leaders avoid agonizing situations like this? It is to be modest with any privileged position given to them and appreciate the fact that such didn’t come to them by their power but through the people and the grace of God.
Leaders should always remember that any of their actions have consequences and that they should remain accountable to the people they serve. And try to put themselves in others’ shoes and understand the impact of their decisions on people’s lives. Be open and transparent in their decision-making processes and actions. Be humble recognize the limitations of their power and be willing to listen and learn from others.
They should also try to uphold ethical standards and principles, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Take responsibility for actions and decisions taken, and be willing to apologize and make amends when and where necessary.
Above all, never forget that political power is a means to serve the public interest, not personal interests. And always try to respect, the guiding principles of power control, and the importance of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power.
Don’t be God unto yourself, always learn to listen actively to diverse perspectives and opinions, and engage in constructive dialogue. Never fail to have a self-reflection on your actions and motivations, and seek feedback from others.
When these principles are religiously followed, it would help political power holders to stay grounded, responsible, and focused on serving the public interest.
Ganduje, El Rufai, Bello, and Wike’s current predicaments were preventable if only they were disposed to these principles of power. But they were listening only to their demons and turned out to be what the Igbos call ‘Eze Onye agwanam’ the King that knows it all and doesn’t listen to any other person. Even with this glaring evidence of retributive Justice at work, are current leaders learning anything?
God help us.
