By
Nze David N. Ugwu
Nigeria’s Struggle with the Highs and Lows of Influence
Power is intoxicating. Those who wield it often speak of responsibility, service, and leadership. Yet, when the allure of power overwhelms judgment, empathy, and moral restraint, it transforms into a psychological drug — addictive, distorting, and destructive. In Nigeria, where power has too often been abused in politics and public governance, the metaphor of psychological intoxication is not merely poetic: it is painfully real.
This article probes how power affects the human psyche, why it so easily devolves into abuse, and how the Nigerian political experience starkly illustrates these dynamics. It also explores how a nation might respond to the seduction of power with accountability, restraint, and civic renewal.
The Nature of Power and the Human Psyche
Power, in its simplest definition, is the ability to influence the behavior of others or the course of events. But psychological research shows that power does more than amplify influence — it changes how we see ourselves, others, and the world.
Social psychologists have long observed that power can:
- Reduce empathy — leaders become less attuned to others’ feelings.
- Increase entitlement — power can instill a belief that one deserves privileges.
- Distort risk perception — powerful individuals often overestimate their invulnerability.
- Trigger addiction-like behavior — repeated exposure to power rewards can create cravings for more control and dominance.
These effects are not limited to dictators in distant lands; they occur across cultures and political systems. In Nigeria, with its complex history of military rule, political patronage, and weak institutional checks, the psychological intoxicant of power has found fertile ground.
The Nigerian Context: Power and Its Discontents
Nigeria’s post-independence history has been shaped by struggles over power — who holds it, how it is used, and who suffers when it is misused.
Military Rule and the Culture of Command
From 1966 to 1999, Nigeria lived under military governments for most of three decades. Power was concentrated in the hands of generals who, by structure and temperament, practiced command without accountability. This period entrenched:
- Authoritarian governance
- Weak democratic norms
- Cultures of impunity
The psychological residue of these years persists: political actors today still exhibit patterns of dominance rather than service, control rather than collaboration.
Democratic Transition and Persistent Patterns
The return to democratic rule in 1999 raised hopes of transformative leadership. Yet, many Nigerian citizens soon sensed familiar patterns: political offices became arenas of personal enrichment; public resources were treated as personal fiefdoms; and dissent was often met with suppression rather than dialogue.
From state governors to federal ministers, from local council chairmen to legislators, stories of abuse, arrogance, and entitlement became commonplace. Power, for some, became less about public service and more about:
- Patronage distribution
- Resource monopolization
- Electoral manipulation
- Perpetuation of political dynasties
Everyday Realities: Bureaucracy, Corruption, and Impunity
Across Nigeria’s governance architecture, power asymmetries reinforce toxic dynamics:
- Bureaucrats with unchecked discretion award contracts without transparency.
- Law enforcement officials abuse authority with little fear of sanction.
- Politicians evade accountability through political influence and legal maneuvering.
These behaviors undermine societal trust and erode the psychological well-being of citizens who experience repeated injustice — fostering cynicism, disengagement, and resignation.
Tales from the Ground: Faces of Power Intoxication
To understand how power morphs into an intoxicant, consider these composite — but representative — Nigerian scenarios:
- The Governor Who Forgot the People
A governor arrives with a bold manifesto: build infrastructure, improve education, and fight corruption. Within months, state resources are diverted to pay inflated contracts to cronies. Criticism is labeled as sabotage. The governor becomes unreachable, surrounded by sycophants. Constituents, meanwhile, suffer dilapidated roads and underfunded schools.
This pattern — the transformation from promise-maker to power-hoarder — exemplifies how access to resources and unaccountability can warp intent and empathy.
- The Legislator Who Mistook Position for Privilege
A newly elected legislator insists on perks: luxury car, generous housing allowances, and taxpayer-funded aides. When pressed to justify these expenses in the face of public hardship, he dismisses complaints, claiming that office confers “special status.”
Here, entitlement outpaces service. The psychological effect of holding office becomes an addiction to privilege rather than mandate to serve.
- The Civil Servant Above Scrutiny
A top bureaucrat controls approvals for public projects. Over time, approvals are granted not on merit but on political alignment and kickbacks. Internal audits are suppressed. Oversight becomes symbolic.
The bureaucrat’s growing sense of invincibility is a classic marker of power’s intoxicating nature — the belief that one is untouchable.
Why Power Intoxicates: A Psychological and Structural Explanation
Two broad forces shape this phenomenon in Nigeria:
- Psychological Mechanisms
Power affects the brain’s reward and social processing systems. When individuals experience:
- Admiration from followers
- Control over resources
- Freedom from accountability
these experiences trigger psychological rewards similar to addiction. Over time, tolerance builds — more power is needed to achieve the same emotional high. This can lead to escalating abuses: excessive spending, disregard for rules, and dominance over institutions.
- Structural Weaknesses in Governance
Power becomes more intoxicating when institutions meant to check it are weak or compromised. Nigeria’s challenges include:
- Limited judicial independence
- Underfunded and politicized anti-corruption agencies
- Patronage networks that shield powerful actors
- Political financing systems that reward incumbency
These structural gaps allow individuals to exercise power with minimal consequence, reinforcing toxic behaviors.
The Human Cost: When Power Hurts the Many
The effects of psychological intoxication with power extend far beyond political elites. They shape national life in damaging ways:
Erosion of Trust
People lose faith in public institutions when they see power abused repeatedly. Trust — a cornerstone of civic cooperation — decays, making collective action more difficult.
Citizen Disengagement
When citizens feel that leaders are self-serving, participation in governance declines. Voting rates fall, civic advocacy weakens, and apathy sets in.
Economic and Social Inequities
Abuse of power diverts resources away from essential services — healthcare, education, infrastructure — deepening inequality and frustration.
Psychological Toll on Society
Power abuses create collective trauma: frustration, helplessness, and a sense that the system is rigged. This can breed social conflict, distrust among communities, and disillusionment with democracy itself.
Breaking the Intoxication: Pathways to Reform
If power can intoxicate, can a society sober up? Nigeria’s answer must be a firm “yes.” Rebalancing power toward public interest requires both structural reform and cultural change.
- Strengthening Institutions
Robust institutions are antidotes to power excess:
- Independent judiciary that holds powerful actors accountable.
- Strong anti-corruption bodies with insulation from political interference.
- Parliamentary oversight that is proactive and evidence-based.
When institutions function effectively, the psychological allure of power is tempered by real consequences.
- Transparency and Civic Participation
Open governance — budgets, contracts, performance data — empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable. Civic tech, watchdog groups, and independent media play crucial roles in this ecosystem.
- Leadership Development and Ethics
Nigeria must invest in leadership programs that emphasize:
- Public service ethos
- Ethical decision-making
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
Leaders who see power as stewardship rather than entitlement are less likely to succumb to its intoxicating effects.
- Cultural Norms of Accountability
Communities, religious organizations, and civil society can reinforce norms that reject arrogance and celebrate humility in leadership. Public recognition of service, not status, redefines what it means to be powerful.
A New Narrative for Nigeria
Power, by itself, is neither good nor evil. It is a tool — one that can be wielded to uplift, transform, and protect. But when it becomes untethered from accountability, humility, and service, it becomes a psychological intoxication that distorts character and corrodes society.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Its democratic experiment has lasted over two decades, yet the specter of power abuse persists. The challenge ahead is not merely political — it is profoundly psychological and cultural. Sobriety in leadership demands self-awareness, institutional ballast, and an engaged citizenry that refuses to be passive.
When power is reclaimed as a responsibility rather than a reward, Nigeria can move beyond the intoxication of influence toward a governance paradigm that truly serves its people.
Conclusion: From Intoxication to Accountability
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” wrote Lord Acton in the 19th century. Nigeria’s experience affirms this insight but also points to a deeper truth: power does not inevitably intoxicate. It is the unchecked and unaccountable exercise of power that distorts minds and institutions.
By strengthening democratic institutions, empowering citizens, and promoting ethical leadership, Nigeria can confront the psychological allure of power and transform it into a force for collective good.
The journey is neither short nor easy, but it is indispensable for a nation whose aspirations are larger than its challenges. As Nigerians continue to wrestle with the legacies of power — both its promises and perils — the crucial task remains clear: harness power not as an end, but as a means to justice, dignity, and inclusive progress.
Nze David N. Ugwu is the Managing Consultant of Knowledge Research Consult. He could be reached at [email protected] or +2348037269333.
