Man’s insatiable lust for power is a phenomenon that transcends mere financial gain. While wealth and material possessions may be means to an end, they do not solely define the driving force behind humanity’s pursuit of power. If that were the case, why do the wealthiest individuals continue to crave power and influence? The allure of power lies in its ability to grant control, shape destinies, and leave a lasting legacy. The desire to be at the helm, calling the shots, and making a meaningful impact is a tantalizing prospect for many. This is evident in the annals of history, where the wealthiest and most influential individuals have fought tooth and nail for power, often using unscrupulous means to achieve their goals.
The late MKO Abiola’s unrelenting pursuit of power, which ultimately led to his demise, serves as a poignant reminder of the intoxicating allure of power. His story, like many others, highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of humanity’s quest for influence and control.
Ultimately, the pursuit of power is a fundamental aspect of human nature, driven by a deep-seated desire for significance, recognition, and a sense of purpose. It is a quest that can inspire greatness but also lead to destruction, as the ends often justify the means in the relentless pursuit of power.
Power is the most insidious addiction of all, for it corrupts even the noblest of intentions. As the adage goes, ‘Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ Those who wield power alongside immense wealth often succumb to the temptation of playing god. However, only a select few manage to withstand the corrupting influence of power, emerging unscathed and retaining their mental clarity and moral integrity. The ultimate irony is that, in the end, there is no distinction between the remains of a mighty leader and those they oppressed during their lifetime. As the saying goes, ‘all is vanity’. The trappings of power, the pursuit of prestige, and the accumulation of wealth are all fleeting and meaningless in the face of mortality. The skeletons of both the powerful and the powerless are equal in death, a poignant reminder that true greatness lies in the impact we have on others, not in our temporal accomplishments or possessions.
The powerful men of yesteryears, the movers and shakers of their time, the opinion molders who once shaped the world – where are they now? Gone, and largely forgotten. The romantic allure of power blinded most of them to its transient nature. They failed to recognize that influence and authority are fleeting and that the tides of time wait for no one. Their legacies, once thought to be eternal, have faded like the setting sun. Their names, once on the lips of everyone, are now mere footnotes in the annals of history. The troika of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello, Nigeria’s founding fathers, are now mere memories and footnotes in history. The mighty have fallen, and their memorials are but whispers in the wind. Yet, in their rise and fall, we find a timeless lesson: that true greatness lies not in the accumulation of power, but in the impact of one’s actions on the world. That true legacy is not found in the fleeting nature of authority but in the enduring spirit of one’s contributions to the happiness and well-being of his fellow human beings.
Alh Asuku S. Audu wrote in from Kaduna