By Sam Agogo
Politics, at its core, was designed to be a noble pursuit—a system through which leaders serve the people, build institutions, and leave behind legacies of progress. Yet, across history and in many parts of the world today, politics has too often been reduced to a desperate scramble for power. The culture of “do-or-die” politics—where office must be won and retained at all costs—has produced violence, corruption, and moral decay. It has turned elections into battlefields, opponents into enemies, and citizens into pawns. From dictators who ruled with iron fists to leaders who sacrificed morality for ambition, history is filled with examples of men who rose to great heights only to fall into misery, disgrace, or obscurity. Their stories remind us that power is fleeting, and that restraint, humility, and moderation are the true marks of leadership.
In a recent conversation with a former Deputy Governor who later served as a minister, a simple truth surfaced with uncommon clarity: “No matter the position you attain, you will one day come down and become a normal human being.” That line is more than humility; it is governance distilled to its essence. Every office ends, every convoy disperses, every title fades. What remains is the memory of how power was sought, used, and relinquished.
History offers sobering lessons. One former leader rose to the peak of his career, commanding influence and respect across the nation. Yet today, he is frail, sick, and unable to do anything for himself. His story is a reminder that no matter how high one climbs, time humbles every summit. Another leader, once celebrated for his wealth and fame, confessed in his later years: “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity.” Despite owning houses he had never slept in and acquiring riches beyond measure, he admitted that none of it brought satisfaction. These testimonies reveal the emptiness of unchecked ambition.
The darker side of politics is even more disturbing. In Nigeria and other parts of Africa, reports have documented how some politicians resort to ritual killings, cult practices, and sacrifices to secure power. Analysts describe cases where politicians have gone as far as snatching babies, sacrificing them, or engaging in grotesque rituals in graveyards to strengthen their hold on office. These practices are not only grotesque but also a betrayal of the very essence of leadership. They show how desperation for power can strip away humanity and morality.
Examples abound globally. Idi Amin of Uganda ruled with brutality, leaving behind a trail of blood and fear. When his regime collapsed, he fled into exile and died a miserable death far from the country he once dominated. Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire built a personality cult and amassed immense wealth while his nation fell into poverty. Yet when rebellion forced him out, he died in exile, stripped of dignity despite his riches. Adolf Hitler, consumed by his obsession with conquest, plunged the world into war and genocide. When defeat became inevitable, he chose suicide, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and shame.
These leaders shared a belief that power must be held at all costs. They sacrificed morality, humanity, and their nations’ futures for personal ambition. Yet their ends were miserable: exile, disgrace, or suicide. Their stories should serve as warnings to today’s politicians. Power is temporary. Wealth without moderation is vanity. Do-or-die politics destroys not only nations but also the very leaders who practice it.
The words of the former Deputy Governor should echo in the hearts of every politician: “You will one day become a normal human being.” Titles vanish, influence wanes, and applause eventually dies down. What endures is the memory of how power was pursued and exercised. Leaders who govern with restraint and humility leave legacies of respect. Those who embrace do-or-die politics leave behind only misery and shame.
Politics should be a noble pursuit, not a desperate scramble. Leaders must remember that restraint is not weakness; it is wisdom. Moderation ensures that leaders remain grounded, humane, and focused on service rather than conquest. Democracy cannot thrive on do-or-die politics. It demands leaders who understand that power is fleeting and that legacy is built on integrity, not desperation.
The choice is simple: serve with moderation, or be consumed by ambition. History is clear—leaders who govern with humility endure in memory, while those who cling to power at all costs fade into disgrace. Every politician must learn that in the end, they will return to being just another human being.
For comments, reflections, and further conversation:
📧 Email: samuelagogo4one@yahoo.com
📞 Phone: +2348055847364
