THE ILLUSION OF POWER: HOW POLITICS PRAISES YOU INTO LONELINESS

By Sam Agogo

Not long ago, I visited a politician who once sat on the throne of influence — a man whose words once carried weight, whose compound once echoed with the sound of power. In those days, you could not get near his gate without seeing a parade of vehicles, armed security, and praise singers shouting his name as if he were a demi-god. His home was always full of visitors — full of movement, full of laughter, full of those seeking favour.

But on this particular visit, what I met was silence — cold, heavy silence. The same compound that once buzzed with life was now deserted. The police escorts were gone. The convoy had vanished. The political “boys” had melted away like smoke. The man who once commanded attention now sat quietly, humbled by time and circumstance. Power had gone. The crowd had disappeared.

That moment was a sermon — one that spoke louder than any preacher could ever deliver. It reminded me that politics is not friendship; it is transaction. It is not loyalty; it is hunger. It is not love; it is survival disguised as support.

When your power fades, the crowd evaporates. When your money finishes, the loyalty dies. When you no longer occupy a political office, the same people who used to sing your praises will not even pick your calls. Politics has a way of deceiving the mind, inflating the ego, and destroying the soul of those who don’t understand its emptiness.

I have met men who once controlled wealth, power, and influence — but today, they struggle to survive. Some can’t even feed. Others move from office to office, begging their former subordinates for assistance. I have heard of powerful men now reduced to silence, ignored by those who once groveled at their feet.

A friend once told me about a former National Assembly member he saw sitting quietly inside a public bus. Another shared how a one-time strongman of politics now goes begging from his former aides — the same people who used to salute him. That is the cruelty of politics — it glorifies you today and abandons you tomorrow.

One story still breaks my heart. A wealthy man, known for his generosity, poured all his fortune into politics. He was hailed, praised, and deceived into believing he was loved. When the game ended, so did his wealth. He became broke and forgotten. And when sickness came, it was one of the men he had once despised that helped him with money for medical treatment.

This is the tragedy of politics — it praises you into pride and then abandons you in pain.

To every politician reading this, take this as a warning: power is temporary, and loyalty in politics is a loan that expires with your position. Do not spend your entire life trying to please a crowd that will vanish when your season ends. Do not allow political office to become your only identity.

While you serve others, build something for yourself. Establish businesses. Acquire skills. Invest wisely. Build a future that will outlive the noise of politics. The same crowd that hails you today will mock you tomorrow if you fail to prepare for life after power.

Politics will drain you. It will empty your pockets, destroy your peace, and enslave your spirit if you let it. So, serve with integrity but also protect your humanity. Power will go. The praise will fade. The crowd will disappear. And when the music stops, you will be left alone — face to face with the man you truly are.

When the crowd disappears, what will remain of you?
Will you have a legacy, or just memories of wasted years?

The choice is yours.

For reflection, comments, and further conversation:
📩 Email: samuelagogo4one@yahoo.com
📞 Phone: +2348055847364