Nollywood actor-turned-politician Olumide Oworu has attributed the prevalence of corruption among Nigerian political leaders to what he described as the growing culture of “career politics.”
Oworu made the remarks during a recent appearance on The Clarity Zone podcast, where he discussed governance, youth participation, and the structure of Nigeria’s political system.
According to him, politics should fundamentally be about creating effective systems that serve the public. However, he argued that many politicians in Nigeria view public office as their primary means of livelihood.
The actor said this mindset pushes some politicians to pursue personal gain rather than focus on public service.
“Politics is two things – systems and service,” Oworu said during the conversation.
He added that the perception of politics as a dirty space discourages many young Nigerians from participating in governance.
Oworu explained that the situation is worsened by the dominance of politicians who rely entirely on political office for survival. According to him, individuals who lack alternative careers or sources of income may feel compelled to do whatever it takes to secure and retain power.
He also linked the trend to the persistence of political godfatherism in the country. In his view, politicians often depend on influential backers because their future and financial stability are tied to holding office.
Oworu noted that the practice undermines merit and limits the entry of capable individuals into leadership positions.
“I don’t think godfatherism should be in politics,” he said, adding that leadership selection should be based on competence and capacity.
The actor also suggested that the nature of Nigerian politics contributes to youth apathy, as many young people avoid participating due to the perception that the system is corrupt or inaccessible.
Oworu previously contested for the Surulere 1 constituency seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly during the 2023 general elections under the Labour Party. He lost the race to fellow Nollywood actor Desmond Elliott, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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