The past 25 years have sprouted different calibres of politicians, with many retaining their relevance while others have simply faded into political oblivion. These politicians..
. By Lami Sadiq T he past 25 years have sprouted different calibres of politicians, with many retaining their relevance while others have simply faded into political oblivion. These politicians once swayed enormous powers in Nigeria’s fourth republic.
But now their names are like a whisper from another life, almost forgotten. While some have faced a natural retirement due to age and changes in government, others lost golden opportunities that forced them to bury a career in politics. An Abuja-based political analyst, Salihu Mahmud Dantata, identifies three reasons why some once-powerful politicians fade away.
“Corruption, the winner-take-all mentality, and a tolerance for unethical behaviour,” he said. He argued that while a change in leadership allows for new voices to be heard, a healthy democracy requires a balance of experienced and new politicians. “It is important to have experienced politicians who can guide the younger generation,” the analyst said.
He acknowledged that the winner-take-all system, though common around the world, should have a blend of old politicians who can serve as experts in specific positions. In this report, Daily Trust looks at why and how some of Nigeria’s politicians, who once possessed enormous powers, have faded away. Salisu Buhari Ibrahim Salisu Buhari c.