The Illusion of Perpetual Relevance in Politics:

By Okoi Obono-Obla 

The Illusion of Perpetual Relevance in Politics:

In 2023, I had an engaging and interesting discussion with a friend who was a former Deputy Governor of one of the States in the South Eastern Geopolitical Zone. He told me that after late President Muhammadu Buhari completed his second term in office and retired to his hometown, Daura in Katsina State, he visited him. Throughout Buhari’s presidency, some of his handlers had fenced him off and refused to allow my friend to see him, despite their close relationship before his election.

When President Buhari finally received him in Daura, he profusely apologized and blamed his overzealous handlers for preventing the meeting. In a moment of candor and humor, Buhari remarked that his greatest achievement in office was stopping many incumbent Governors, who after serving two terms, sought to move into the Senate, from doing so. He believed they should retire instead of clinging to public office.

Indeed, one must ask: why would any reasonable person want to go to the Senate after completing an eight-year governorship tenure, if not out of megalomaniac tendencies? Unfortunately, many of our politicians harbor this desire to remain perpetually in public office—not because they have anything new to offer society, but for self-glorification and personal aggrandizement.

1. In conclusion, the true measure of leadership is knowing when to step aside gracefully, allowing fresh ideas and new leaders to emerge. Politics should serve society, not personal vanity.