Ideally, politics should yield competent leaders that people can choose from during elections. But in our country, politics has decayed into a dirty arena where competence is displaced by manipulation and deceit, depriving the nation of genuine leaders and obstructing any hope of national progress.
The filth begins with the way power is acquired. Instead of presenting clear plans and coherent platforms, many candidates rely on vote-buying, personality-building, and emotional theatrics to secure positions. Elections become a contest of financial muscle rather than public trust, and the electorate is often reduced to a market where loyalties are bought rather than earned. This corrupt foundation ensures that unworthy figures rise to positions meant for competent public servants.
Then, there is the entanglement of political clans and business interests. Families treat public offices as hereditary property, transferring power from one relative to another as if the nation were their private estate. These dynasties operate as self-serving machines, using public funds and authority to protect their wealth and expand their reach. Their entrenched networks discourage merit, shut out new leaders, and leave citizens trapped under the same ruling circles that prioritize convenience over integrity.
Weak institutions and selective law enforcement further mess up the system. Rules are bent to shield allies and persecute opponents, creating an environment where accountability is optional for those with influence. This culture of impunity emboldens officials to act without restraint, knowing that penalties can be dodged through connections or legal theatrics. It ruins public confidence in processes meant to uphold fairness and discipline.
The country needs strong institutions that can operate beyond the reach of political pressure, along with strict enforcement of campaign finance regulations and genuine political education for citizens. We need to establish a system that rewards competence and integrity, so the nation can break free from the grime that now defines its political life. Let us fix things this way, come the next elections.
