Politics in the hinterland: Money, people and power

“Money makes the world go round”. Yes, you’ve heard that statement for the umpteenth time. It will always be there.

Considering the quote above, the world may not be made to spin on its pivot but money moves things (even humans) around. Tasks become easy when money is available to “pay” the way. The rural poor in the society can testify why this fact is true.

Are youths ready for leadership?

October 26, 2020

Poverty in Africa

September 12, 2020

Money plays such an important role in our daily living to the extent that it is never a necessary evil. Having some currency notes in your pocket is so vital that it will make you leave your bed before the morning sun arrives to light up the day and also make you return home long after the sun must have reduced its heat.

And it has been for the necessity of money in our lives that some classes of people have become vulnerable to the wishes and desires of that which is evil. People have been subdued and controlled against their wishes all because of money. Some have sold their conscience just because they need that which will help them beat hunger in the next round.

Life isn’t rosy in some places for some folks. But this money talk is notorious in a particular realm. It is in the corridor of power. Politicians do know how valuable money is; value, not in terms of being precious or in relation to the exchange rate value but in how much work it can do. With little money thrown at the people, the politicians can pay their way through the minds of the people thereby remaining relevant as a prefered option for anything relating to the seat of power.

Undoubtedly, politics is a game of numbers. You need to have the numbers behind you if at all you are to make it ahead of your closest rival. In some climes, like in Nigeria’s, even within the political party you need to be in charge of a reasonable portion of your party’s structure (both of the delegates and supporters) before you can boast of “owning” the party and commanding respect.

With money, you can get as much number of persons to side you and this number automatically becomes your power; money, people and power. Politicians do spend a fortune in the business of power searching. When they eventually get hold of that power then they hardly would wish to be controlled by the people who had exchanged their conscience for a cash handout.

The politicians aren’t acting strange here, no one loves a fruitless investment. Therefore, until many people are lifted out of poverty, until the rural communities are provided with basic infrastructures and given a good life, until citizens are properly sensitized on eschewing money-politics, we will always have the politicians using their money to make their world go round.

By Itoro

Email address: [email protected]