The Role of Integrity in Transforming Political Leadership

Politics, they say, is a dirty game played by corrupt and self-centered individuals who have little or no empathy for the people and the rule of law, but still, we all yearn for good leaders in power so we can enjoy all that we deserve from the resources of our nation. While most of us long for this, we abstain from politics, but for me personally, if I had the opportunity to move up in rank in politics, I'd definitely take it because the change we yearn for won't come if all of us, the good people, keep on drifting away from politics.

One of the most lethal weapons politicians use on citizens is fear. They instill fear in us so we won't dare stand up against them or long for such positions, and the few people who have rose to question them have paid with their lives, making it a much more fearful task and ambition to nullify, because most of the good people in politics who run for offices are usually found dead in a mysterious way, or murder, and the case remains unsolved for centuries to come.

But aside from these threats and dangers that lie on the path of politics and the journey to attain a ranking position in politics, if I have the opportunity, I'll definitely delve into politics, and my reasons for this aren't far-fetched. You see, 99% of the politicians in my country presently are bad and corrupt. I'm not saying I'm a saint either, but as much as possible, I do my things in the most appropriate ways without hurting or taking someone else's things in my bid to amaze wealth or power.

I've seen politics play out for the last couple of years and know it's not always a plain journey, but one with loads of crooked paths that involve bribery, threatening, violence, and bullying both physically and virtually on the internet. It also involves looking for the weakness of your opponent and using it against them to ruin their chances and increase your own chance of winning. All of these aren't good things in any way, and even if I join politics and aim for a position, I won't walk on that path.

Like I said earlier, many politicians use different means to chase after power and do the unthinkable during elections just so they can win. I'm not that kind of person and won't delve into all sorts of things just so I can amaze that height; instead, I campaign normally with the little I've and on a regular basis encourage my followers not to indulge in any unlawful act in their bid to make sure I win, and I'm saying this because sometimes we've got a good-hearted politician, but his followers do things that just make you question the true identity of the person.

I've always craved for a better country, leaders, and much more for my country, so if paraventure gives me the opportunity to rule, then I'll be the change I've always clamored for rather than one who got into office and is overwhelmed with power and money to the point where I started doing things to oppress the citizens; rather, I'll do all I can to make the quality of life and living more friendly for the people.

And that's because I know what it takes to be on the suffering side; I've tasted hunger and so have a tasted lack and oppression, so being someone who has been through all that and how it feels to be in such a shoe, the least I can do is stop such from playing out to people again rather than join others in doing the same to other vulnerable people.

One reason why I believe I won't be carried away or changed due to the power and wealth this brings is because, from the onset, I'm not the type of person who loves an extravagant lifestyle; I'm a minimalist who, although she loves to have the best, does so moderately, and that is what my salary can provide for me. Most of these politicians are greedy, and that's why they tend to delve into public funds meant for contracts or infrastructure to fuel their own businesses.

All photos taken and edited on canva