Nollywood actor and former political candidate Olumide Oworu has shared a powerful perspective on what politics in Nigeria is supposed to be about.
He states that politics is not supposed to be a career but a platform for service, and treating it as a lifelong profession not only fuels much of the corruption and self-interest plaguing the system.
According to Oworu, while speaking on The Clarity Zone podcast, politics fundamentally involves two elements: building effective systems that benefit the people and delivering genuine service to society.
When individuals enter politics without alternative sources of livelihood or a “Plan B,” they become desperate to secure and cling to power at any cost, he said. This desperation leads them to agreement principles, relying on godfathers for support, and placing personal survival over public good.
Oworu highlights how this mindset discourages capable, learned, and well-exposed individuals from participating. Instead, it attracts those who view politics as their sole means of survival, bringing little real value or capacity to the table.
Ultimately, Oworu calls for a shift where capacity and a commitment to service matter most.