Nigerian Politics Now a Business Venture – Mahdi Shehu

Renowned public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has raised serious concerns about the current state of Nigerian politics, describing it as a profit-driven enterprise rather than a platform for public service.

In a press interview on Tuesday, Shehu lamented that the nation’s political structure offers little real hope, as politicians continue to prioritize personal gain over national interest.

He argued that political parties in Nigeria are virtually indistinguishable, saying their differences lie only in name.

“There is only one party in Nigeria—and it’s always the ruling party,” Shehu stated. “After elections, politicians simply defect to whoever holds power. We witnessed this when the PDP lost power and many of its members moved to the APC.”

Shehu urged Nigerians to stop believing that the country’s political parties operate on different ideologies, stressing that most politicians share the same background and mindset.

“These politicians are the same. The ordinary citizens are just pawns in their game,” he said. “Go out and vote—do your part and leave the rest to God. But if you refuse to vote and later complain about leadership, you’re only setting yourself up for regret.”