“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.” ~ William Shakespeare.
Elections come and go—they always will. It is a season of promises, false favour, and deceit. Politicians aspiring to various positions travel far and wide—nooks and crannies, highlands and lowlands—promising anything they can think of: jobs, schools, hospitals, markets, social centres, heaven on earth, freedom, etc. These promises are designed to capture the imagination of voters, to give them something to hold on to, a glimmer of hope that their lives will improve should they cast their vote for the person in question.
But here’s the irony: those same politicians rarely talk about what they stand to gain once they’re in power. This silent omission creates the impression that the electorate are helpless, needy individuals who can’t survive without the benevolence of politicians. Well, that’s not true. Quite frankly, politicians need voters to survive. Without the votes, they can’t win positions of power, and without power, they don’t get the bonuses, privileges, or material rewards that come with it. The process of soliciting for votes and securing political positions can be equated to a job interview—except, in this case, the electorate are the interviewers.
The reality is that while voters are expected to make their decision based on promises of progress, politicians make their decisions based on what they can gain. The whole spectacle is like a masquerade, with voters wearing the masks of idealism and politicians hiding behind the masks of promises. Yet, as soon as the votes are counted, the real game begins, and the promises start to fade. The voters are left wondering why the transformation they were promised never seems to come to fruition. But the politicians know exactly what happens next—they consolidate their power, protect their interests, and enjoy the fruits of their victory. This is not to say that politicians are inherently evil, but the system itself incentivizes behavior that often prioritizes self-interest over public service.
And when they get power, they don’t like to let go of it. Like John Henrik Clarke said: “Powerful people cannot afford to educate the people that they oppress, because once you are truly educated, you will not ask for power. You will take it.”
Through the approval of the electorate, they get a chance to rake in huge bonuses and fat salaries, free fuel and water, as well as other goodies. These perks are rarely discussed during the campaign trail. They are the hidden costs of electoral success, not revealed to the public because doing so might make it harder for the average voter to reconcile the promises made with the benefits reaped. And yet, these benefits are not trivial. They represent the unspoken truth behind the election process—the rewards of power are far-reaching and often so significant that once a politician tastes them, letting go becomes nearly impossible.
Their electioneering strategies include mixing freely with ordinary people, dining and sharing jokes with them, investing their slush funds in philanthropic projects, posters, billboards, and jingles to lure people to vote for them. These activities are designed to create the illusion of accessibility and empathy, to give the impression that they are “one of us.” But immediately after the elections, they retreat into hibernation and self-service. The ordinary people who gave them the mandate are left in the dark, unable to interact with the very person they voted for until the next election cycle.
This cycle of neglect, followed by opportunistic charm, reinforces a deeply entrenched distrust between politicians and the people they claim to serve. When politicians do return to their constituents, it’s usually under the guise of charity or political obligation. But in truth, these interactions are merely transactional, a way to remind voters that their loyalty was rewarded—at least for the moment.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns!
Vested Interest
Many people have a vested interest in the electoral fortunes of power seekers, but they don’t say. Otherwise, what’s the use of crisscrossing vast, hard-to-reach areas canvassing for votes at the risk of one’s life? It’s not an altruistic pursuit, though some might argue that it is. They couldn’t possibly be doing this just for the unconditional love of one person or party. Politicians have teams, allies, and well-wishers who stand to gain from their victories. These people—whether they’re contractors, consultants, or even distant relatives—are fully aware of the spoils that await them if their candidate wins.
They, surely, have a vested interest—an interest in contracts, cuts, treats, shares, recognition, etc. This dynamic creates a network of dependency that fuels the political machinery, perpetuating a cycle where the gains of a few are funded by the votes of the many. Their circles—families, friends, spouses and/or partners—all benefit largely from their political fortunes. When the elected official secures contracts or political favours, their loved ones are the first to receive the windfall. These “loyalists” are more than happy to show their support, knowing full well that their future is tied to the candidate’s success.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns!
The Spoils of Victory
Victory in an election comes with an enhanced social image as much as it does with material rewards. The victorious candidate gets the bragging rights to a courtesy title: His Excellency (in the case of Presidents), Honourable (in the case of members of parliament or assembly members), and a host of others. With this recognition, the elected person enjoys a bouquet of privileges—a good car, free fuel, and a respectable income. His credit rating shoots up, and soon he begins to amass wealth. With 10% kickback on every contract awarded (to friends and cronies), he can afford new assets, which are usually registered in the name of his siblings or spouse.
His tastes and preferences change. He can now enjoy decent meals and treats at fine restaurants, access medical care abroad, and secure top-tier education for his wards. Family vacations to exotic destinations like Dubai, Malaysia, and South Africa become commonplace due to the vast array of benefits they offer. This transformation can be swift and dramatic. From humble beginnings, a successful politician can find himself living a life of luxury, enjoying privileges once reserved for the elite, while the people who voted for him remain stuck in the same struggles they faced before the election.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns!
Lady Bountiful!
His Excellency’s spouse—the First Lady—gets a monthly salary and security detail just like a minister of state. She can initiate and commission projects and ‘help out’ on charities, playing Lady Bountiful. Her purse brims with fresh notes of higher denominations; she wears fine makeup, has aromatic dishes prepared for family and friends, and is chauffeured in a befitting car to the market where she interacts with traders and buys kenkey and fish—for the cameras. The whole market must come to a standstill while she tarries.
Her role, though often ceremonial, comes with substantial perks. As the First Lady, she wields influence that extends beyond her husband’s political office. She becomes a symbol of the state, a representation of power that is intimately connected to the political sphere. The attention and resources dedicated to her are not just a reflection of her husband’s position, but also an extension of the political machine that operates around them. She is not just an accessory to power; she becomes power in her own right.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns!
First Family!
The First Family enjoys preferential treatment in all spheres of life. At public events, people make way for them to be served. The sound of a siren on a busy road clears the path for the First Family and their entourage. When accidents occur (and they rarely do), Big Man doesn’t get hurt—the expendables do. The privileges extend beyond physical safety; they include access to exclusive spaces, invitations to prestigious events, and opportunities that ordinary citizens would never dream of. The First Family becomes synonymous with power and prestige, living in a bubble that is carefully protected by the machinery of state.
Children of the First Family attend prestigious schools, guarded by elite security operatives. At church or other social gatherings, they sit on well-decorated chairs at the chancel and are given the rare privilege to address other participants (who are usually very keen on listening). This is the final seal of political success—the family, as an institution, becomes elevated to a status that no longer reflects the individual achievements of its members, but the collective power that their name now carries.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns!
The Charmed Circle
His Excellency maintains a large retinue of friends, associates, and specialists who only need to drop names to get things done. Pseudo-contractors among them get rewarded for their loyalty with juicy contracts. Others enjoy weekend treats and receive expensive presents on special occasions like birthdays and marriage ceremonies. These individuals often enjoy an insider’s view of power, with access to resources that are typically reserved for the political elite.
The political network functions like a well-oiled machine, each part working together to preserve and expand the influence of those at the top. Every favour granted by a politician is repaid in kind, either through political support, business opportunities, or social standing. And it’s not just about wealth—it’s about consolidating a system of privilege that ensures those at the top remain there.
They don’t say this during electioneering campaigns.
PS: First published Dec 8, 2016. Updated May 3, 2025.