Dear Politicians, If You Must Steal, At Least Leave Small Change!, by Isaac Asabor

It is no secret that many of our political leaders across the corridors of power have become maestros in the art of looting public funds. For decades, Nigerians have watched as successive governments, both at the federal and state levels, plunder national resources with reckless abandon. The irony? These leaders are often shielded from any real consequences. It is as if we live in a country where corruption is not only tolerated but, in some cases, practically encouraged.

The sad truth is that corruption has become so entrenched in our political system that most people barely raise an eyebrow when news of misappropriated funds surfaces. It is almost like a rite of passage, get into office, make promises, and then steal as much as you can before your term is over. From inflated contracts to ghost workers and missing funds, the methods vary, but the results are always the same: the people suffer while a handful of politicians grow wealthier by the day.

In Nigeria, it seems that when politicians decide to steal, they do not just take a little off the top, they go for the entire pot. We are talking about billions of naira, if not dollars, vanishing overnight. The theft is brazen, as if the people’s money were a personal piggy bank to be broken open at will. The sad part? They usually get away with it.

Let us be honest. How many politicians have been truly held accountable for their misdeeds? How many of them have gone to jail for looting the public treasury? Even when they are caught, they somehow manage to slip through the cracks of the legal system. A slap on the wrist here, a small fine there, and they are back to their old tricks, often re-elected by the same people they have stolen from.

It is an endless cycle, a never-ending story of corruption, impunity, and the untouchable political elite. And in this grim reality, we, the regular Nigerians, are left with substandard infrastructure, dilapidated schools, and a healthcare system that is perpetually on life support.

Now, as much as we would love to wake up one morning to a Nigeria free of corruption, let us be realistic. Expecting every corrupt politician to suddenly become honest is like expecting snow to fall in Lagos. So, here is a modest proposal: If our political leaders must continue stealing (and let us be clear, it is still very wrong), could they at least “steal moderately?” Take what you need, but for heaven’s sake, leave something behind for the rest of us.

Stealing is bad, we all know that. But what is worse is when a politician does not even have the decency to leave a little behind for the nation they are robbing. Why must it always be the case that billions are whisked away, leaving behind projects that never see completion and promises that were never meant to be kept?

Is it too much to ask that, instead of siphoning off the entire budget for a healthcare project, they leave just enough to at least build a functional hospital or two? Or instead of embezzling the entire sum allocated for roads and infrastructure, they could construct at least a few kilometers of decent roads? You know, just to make us feel like they care a little bit.

If politicians approached public funds the way people approach a buffet, we be in a much better place. The unwritten rule at a buffet is simple: take what you need, but don’t hog everything. Leave enough for others to enjoy the meal too. But Nigerian politicians? Oh no. They treat the national budget like a buffet where they can take all the food, leave empty plates for the rest, and waltz off with their bellies full.

Imagine if politicians exercised even a sliver of restraint when helping themselves to public funds. They could still steal (not that we are condoning it!), but they would not need to take everything. If they stole less, there would be enough left to fund the necessary social services and development projects that could genuinely improve the lives of Nigerians.

The funny thing is, even if they stole less, they would “still”be able to live lavishly. Let us face it, most politicians in Nigeria are not exactly living modestly. Even after they have helped themselves to public funds, they have more than enough for luxury homes, fancy cars, foreign education for their children, and overseas vacations. So why the need to steal more than they could possibly ever spend?

Of course, we know the politicians have a bottomless appetite for wealth, but let us not forget the people are watching, and they are hungry. Literally. In a country where over 133 million people live in multidimensional poverty, it is heartbreaking to see public officials treat the national purse like their personal ATM. Many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, yet our political leaders are living in mansions, flying private jets, and rubbing shoulders with the global elite.

We often hear about the so-called “improvements” in the economy. Politicians roll out rosy statistics and boast about GDP growth, but the people on the street feel nothing of the sort. In fact, things only seem to be getting worse. While they wine and dine in Abuja, the average Nigerian can barely afford to put food on the table. It is almost like a twisted game: they live in abundance, while the rest of us scramble for crumbs.

Perhaps,  the most frustrating aspect of all this is the knowledge that, no matter how much they steal, these politicians will most likely get away with it. Let us not kid ourselves, Nigeria’s judicial system is not exactly known for holding the powerful accountable. Sure, we hear about high-profile investigations and anti-corruption agencies swooping in, but how often do we actually see convictions? How often do we see politicians returning stolen funds or serving real jail time?

The system is rigged in their favor. They know it, we know it, and so the cycle continues. So, since they are unlikely to stop anytime soon, the least they could do is show a little moderation. Steal small, leave some change for the people, and maybe, just maybe, we might start to see a tiny bit of progress.

To our dear political leaders, we are not asking for miracles. We know you have developed a taste for the finer things in life, and we are aware that breaking this habit is going to take more than a little public outrage. But if you must continue with your thieving ways, please have the decency to leave something behind. You do not have to take it all. There are enough to go around if you show a bit of self-control.

Steal small, if you must, but remember, the people are starving, the roads are crumbling, and the schools are falling apart. Leave some change behind for the rest of us. Is that too much to ask?