INTOXICATION OF POWER(Using some African leaders as case study)

in #bdcommunity4 years ago


Domination

Intoxication is when we feel excited to the extent we cannot think clearly. Power is the ability to control people or things. They say knowledge is power, but power is not knowledge when it is misused.

Intoxication of power is when we use the power given or gained to control or do things without thinking or exercising the authority in a way that the followers will be comfortable, satisfied and happy with his leadership.

Power corrupts most people when they are in power. They use their power to do dishonest and illegal things in other to get advantages over their subjects or loyalties.

For example, most people who find themselves or are privileged to hold leadership positions in organizations or companies have most often abused people’s rights and privileges because of their leadership positions or authority.

Some ride on their subordinate right, by not allowing them to air their feelings and in satisfaction in their leadership way, they are subjected to accept their leader’s views whether right or wrong, even if it does not suit their idea, they are enforced to go by their own will.

Power intoxicates and can lead to destruction. A political thinker quote by Lord Arton, "Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely". When people are in power and are giving total authority to function, they mostly abuse their position by oppressing their subjects and acting corruptly. When there is no one to challenge them, it makes them misbehave, but the end is not always good.

Power intoxicates and can lead to destruction

In line with the initial explanations, many African leaders have abused their office while in the position as President or Prime minister.


Taylor

Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia. He committed a lot of crime against humanity while he was in office. He killed so many Liberians, mysteriously e.g. cutting people's limbs, abusing civilians. He likewise used women and girls for sex slavery, and many were raped.
All the crimes and abuse he committed was because of power intoxication which he believed that no one can challenge him because of the power.


Mugabe

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

As a leader in Zimbabwe, he held leadership authority to himself by using his power under his control to claim the most wealth of the Zimbabweans to himself. As a farmer, he pretended to be fighting on behalf of the poor but most of the land he confiscated ended by becoming his personal wealth.
Out of the exercise of his authority or power, he refuses to accept election result in other to extend in office. This brought many conflicts and chaos in the country leading to the loss of many lives.


Idi-Amin

Idi Amin of Uganda (Alias butcher of Uganda).

Idi Amin, the former president of Uganda has been described as the notorious of African Post Independent dictator. It was established that he brutally tortured and imprisoned about 100,000,000 people in Uganda. His name was the butcher of Uganda was given to him because of the outrageous acts he exhibited against his subjects.

This wicked acts against his citizens were as a result of his position of power in which he was intoxicated to do all forms of atrocities and crimes to his people. He was practically cutting out human parts, eating it raw as a carnivorous animal and refrigerating them. Though Idi-Amin ended his leadership and dictatorship via a shameful and bitter death. He was dragged shamefully on the street to death, ending in destruction after being intoxicated with power.

What a crime against humanity by leaders that were intoxicated with power.


Gaddafi

Col. Muammar Al Gaddafi of Libya, popularly known as [Desert Warrior]. He reigned as a president in Libya for about 40 years. At a time his citizens became tired of his leadership and they desired a change by organizing an election for new leadership.

At this time the decision he took against his citizens was mass destruction on his people, by killing thousands of them and rendering children homeless and helpless.


Kwame

Dr Kwame Nkrumah, former president of Ghana, was also corrupt while he was in office as a president of Ghana. During his time he set up a Bureau of National Affairs which was known as special African Service. Though it was a secret name, the essence was to train people in guerilla warfare.

In his time, he set up camps Berekum, wa, Okponglo, etc. All he did was for his selfish purpose to keep power, but not to the benefit of Ghanaians.

At this time it was recorded that he diverted a lot of funds belonging to the Ghanaian government to Guinea Bissau, leaving the Ghanaian economy in a mess. This was the same leader who helped the Ghanaian people to gain independence from the colonial masters, but when he came to power, he changed because of intoxicating of power.

So much of leaders who were privileged to come into power but suddenly changed when they became intoxicated with power. Many have opened companies and found themselves in leadership at the beginning they seem to be good, but later became intoxicated by power and, as a result, deviate from the promises to their subjects from the beginning Most times, these issues and situation arise when they feel being on top and above the law (meaning that they are in control and nobody can interrupt or question their authority).

But taking a critical consideration of their end, most of them, not less than 70% ended in a serious mess on pain, shame, disgrace and destruction. Like a word from the bible, what shall it profit a man to gain the entire world and lose his soul?

And King Solomon in the bible also concluded at the end of his reign that vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. According to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, “As a leader, if you don’t give your best when you are in office, you will be in pain when you are out of office.”

My advice for leaders in power, based on history and people's experiences that have been shared, it obvious that there are many challenges one encounters as a leader. Most of them influence negatively but is very important to always pray and ask God for the right decision to take as a leader and not yielding easily to advise as it comes. However, always check the advantages and disadvantages before accepting the conclusion to act. Also, watch the company and motivational books you read as a leader because it contributes immensely to the decision you make as a leader.
Most often, if you are aware of decisions and attitude, it naturally scares you from being the victim of the same misfortune. As in conclusion ‘‘My sincere advice is to watch your lines decision as a leader, ‘’It is not how much wealth or fame one gains while alive, but the number of people you affected positively who will keep promoting your good memories when you’re gone’’.

Sort:  

Yay!
Your post has been boosted with ESTM. Keep up the good work!
Dear reader, Install Android: https://android.esteem.app, iOS: https://ios.esteem.app mobile app or desktop app for Windows, Mac, Linux: https://desktop.esteem.app
Learn more: https://esteem.app
Join our discord: https://discord.me/esteem