POLITICS, POWER AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION: WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE STAY AWAY?

When good people stay away, bad people fill the space. When bad people govern, public perception of politics gets worse. When perception gets worse, more good people stay away".

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Politics is supposed to be the business of the people. Yet in Nigeria, and many democracies around the world, the people with the most integrity, competence, and public goodwill are often the same people who refuse to run for Office.

This creates a dangerous cycle: "When good people stay away, bad people fill the space. When bad people govern, public perception of politics gets worse. When perception gets worse, more good people stay away."

The question then, is not just "why do good people stay away?" The real question is: "What does it cost the nation when they do?"

2.0 DEFINING THE ACTORS

"GOOD PEOPLE": Professionals, technocrats, entrepreneurs, academics, clergy, civil society leaders. People with track records, reputations to protect, and alternatives to politics.

"POWER": The ability to make decisions that affect millions - budgets, laws, policies, appointments.

"PUBLIC PERCEPTION": How the average citizen views politics: dirty, dangerous, corrupt, and thankless.

3.0 SEVEN (7) REASONS WHY GOOD PEOPLE STAY AWAY

1.  The "Dirty Game" Perception: Public perception paints politics as a game of lies, thuggery, and money. Many good people believe: "To win, you must get dirty. And I don’t want my name dragged in the mud." They choose to serve from the boardroom or NGO instead of the ballot.

2.  The Cost of Entry is Too High: From party forms to delegates, to campaigns, running for office in Nigeria can cost hundreds of millions and more. Good people with ideas but no "godfathers" or slush funds are priced out. Politics becomes a business for the highest bidder, not the best ideas.

3.  Fear of Character Assassination: In politics, your entire life is audited in public. One mistake from 20 years ago becomes a headline. For professionals with businesses, families, and reputations, the risk of smear campaigns is too high. Silence feels safer.

4.  No Reward for Integrity: The system often punishes honesty. A commissioner who refuses kickbacks may be isolated. A legislator who asks tough questions may lose party support. Good people ask: "Why enter a system that will frustrate me and chew me up?"

5.  The Violence and Security Risk:

From thugs at primaries, to kidnapping, to post-election attacks. For someone with a family and a career, the physical risk is real. Many conclude: "I can do more good alive and free than dead or in hiding."

6.  Lack of Structure and Mentorship: Political parties rarely have talent pipelines. Good people don’t know how to enter, who to trust, or how to survive. Without mentors, they stay in sectors where merit matters more.

7.  "I Can Influence Without Contesting":

Many good people believe they can have more impact as advisers, donors, or critics than as candidates. So, they fund campaigns, write policy papers, and tweet - but never run.

4.0 THE COST TO THE NATION WHEN GOOD PEOPLE STAY AWAY

When Good People Stay Away, The Result:

i. Leadership Vacuum - Governance is left to career politicians and opportunists.

ii. Policy Failure - Decisions are made without technical expertise.

iii. Cynicism - Citizens lose faith: "All politicians are the same".

iv. Corruption - No internal whistleblowers or ethical resistance.

v. Brain Drain - The best minds serve abroad or in private sector, not government.

In short: "A nation gets the government it deserves when the best refuse to serve."

5.0 HOW TO BRING GOOD PEOPLE BACK INTO POLITICS

This is not just a moral appeal. It requires structural fixes. All sector must be involved.

FOR GOVERNMENT AND PARTIES:

1. Reduce Cost of Politics: Enforce campaign finance laws. Subsidize forms for women, youth, people living with disabilities, professionals and the less privileged.

2. Protect Candidates: Security, anti-defamation laws, and internal party democracy.

3. Reward Performance: Create pathways for technocrats to enter as Commissioners, Advisers, Board Members without contesting elections first.

FOR THE PUBLIC:

1. Change the Narrative: Celebrate politicians who perform. Stop clapping for "stomach infrastructure" only.

2. Support Good Candidates: Donate, volunteer, vote. Money and thugs win when good people stay home on election day.

FOR GOOD PEOPLE:

1. Enter Strategically: You don’t have to start as President. Start at Ward, LGA, House of Assembly, Board, Commission. Build from there.

2. Go in Groups: The AA, ACCORD, APGA, APM, LP, NNPP in 2023, and others showed that movements protect individuals better than solo runs.

3. Remember: If you don’t write the rules, someone else will. And they will write them to exclude you.

6.0 CONCLUSION: POWER ABHORS A VACUUM

Politics will never be perfect. But it will never get better if the people who complain the loudest refuse to participate.

"Before you demand good governance, first build good candidates."

Power is not evil. It is neutral. It is the character of the person holding it that determines if it heals or hurts.

To every teacher, doctor, engineer, lawyer, and business owner reading this: "Nigeria does not need your criticism alone. Nigeria needs your candidacy and participation."

The classroom of democracy is empty. It is time for good people to enter and teach.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.” - Edmund Burke

Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam Bawa DANGANA writes from Lokoja LGA, Kogi State, and the Managing Consultant / CEO of ABWA CONSULTS.

Email: abwaconsults@gmail.com 

Tel: +2348035044020