THE GEOGRAPHY OF POWER The country should create a political system that elevates competent individuals and holds them accountable, argues VICTOR IKEM Nigeria’s greatest political tragedy may not be the absence of competent leaders, but The country should create a political system that elevates competent individuals and holds them accountable, argues VICTOR IKEM Nigeria’s greatest political tragedy may not be the absence of competent leaders, but the inability of its citizens to look beyond ethnic identity, religious affiliation and regional sentiments when choosing those who govern them.
For decades, our political consciousness has been shaped by the assumption that having a president or governor from our ethnic group guarantees collective prosperity.
We have become so emotionally invested in the geography of political power that we often overlook the competence, character and capacity of those who exercise it.
Every election season, Nigerians are mobilized around familiar narratives: it is our turn, our region has been marginalized, or our tribe must produce the next president.
These arguments frequently dominate political conversations, pushing more important questions about economic management, employment, education, healthcare and national development into the background. Yet, after decades of rotating political power among regions, one fundamental question remains: How much has the ethnic identity of our leaders improved the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians? There is a psychological satisfaction that comes with seeing someone from one’s ethnic group occupy political office. It creates a feeling of inclusion, recognition and collective accomplishment.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.