Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Olumide Oworu, has said one of the reasons for the widespread corruption among Nigerian politicians is because they see politics as a career rather than as a medium of service.
Speaking in a recent episode of The Clarity Zone podcast, the movie star argued that ideally, politics is supposed to be about creating systems that service the needs of the people.
He noted that a lot of Nigerian politicians chase after self-aggrandisement because they don’t have any other means of livelihood aside politics.
He added that the political apathy among the youth is caused by the brand of “dirty politics” practiced in Nigeria.
Oworu said, “Politics is two things – systems and service. I think the type of politics and the idea of who a politician is, is why a lot of young people shy from away from it. Because they think it is dirty and for the unexposed.
“But on the contrary, it is for the people that are learned and well-travelled; the people that have a means. Politics is not supposed to be a career. But it is for a lot of people in Nigeria and that is the issue.
“We have career politicians and that is the problem. Because you are going to do whatever it takes to get into office, because you have no plan B. The entirety of your existence is hinged on getting in to this office. The life that you envisioned for yourself and family is tied to whether you get into office or not. Which is also why you need a godfather because you are willing to do whatever it takes to get into the office. You are bringing almost not value to the table.
“I don’t think that godfatherism should be in politics but sadly, a lot of politicians have godfathers because of the style of politics we practice. We need to change that. What should matter should be capacity.”
DAILY POST recalls that Oworu contested for the position of House of Assembly member, representing Surulere 1 constituency in Lagos State under the Labour Party during the 2023 elections but lost to his colleague, Desmond Elliott of the All Progressives Congress, APC.