INSIGHTS INTO POLITICIANS: A Participant Observer's Perspective

Politicians are elected and appointed political office holders with the responsibility of running the government to primarily provide welfare and security of lives and properties for the people but opt to make politics a career and business for generating wealth for themselves.

Politicians have transformed politics into a lucrative enterprise, prioritizing personal gain over the intended purpose of government, thus violating its fundamental principles.

Our elected and appointed officials are not held accountable to the public for the management of taxes and Federal Allocation. There is a lack of transparency and accountability within the government, allowing political officeholders to treat public funds as personal income to support their lifestyles.

The desire to uphold their lavish lifestyles leads to the lack of clear succession plans among politicians. Once they have experienced power, wealth, and influence, they are often reluctant to step down from office. If required by law to relinquish their position, they typically opt to hand over power to their child, spouse, relative, or a chosen successor sponsored by them.

For politicians, relinquishing the wealth and lucrative opportunities tied to their positions is challenging. They are reluctant to transfer control of the substantial finances of their State to an "outsider."

Due to moral ambiguities, politicians who have won elections through rigging and other fraudulent means are often welcomed into churches to offer thanksgiving to God for their perceived "successful" election. They are sometimes given the opportunity to speak from the pulpit, share testimonies, and even minister to the congregation, receiving prayers and sometimes prophecies in return.

Prior to their departure, politicians often make donations to the church, much of which is sourced from looted funds. These ill-gotten wealth are accepted by the church under various guises such as donations, gifts, seeds, tithes, or offerings.

When citizens demand accountability for the management of revenues and confront widespread corruption, politicians in power often resort to accusing or labeling them as agents of destabilization aligned with opposition parties. Persistent critics are frequently subjected to harassment, warnings, blackmail, intimidation, or even silenced using State security apparatus

Reclaiming the promise of democracy requires a concerted effort to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Only through collective action can we transcend the grip of kleptomania and fulfil the potential of our various communities.