For me, politics should be about principles, shared convictions, and staying connected to the pulse of the people. But if you can abandon everything you once stood for because someone in power called you, offered you an appointment, a recommendation, or a cheque, then you were never fighting for the people, you were positioning yourself for access. You cannot spend years condemning a system, telling Nigerians they deserve better, and then suddenly discover that “they’re all the same” the moment you get a seat at the table. No. They are not all the same. And neither are you, if you chose to join them. There’s nothing wrong with an appointment or a cheque. Take it if it comes. But if the price is your principles, your voice, and your loyalty to the people, then it isn’t a reward, it’s the price of your silence. Nobody paid us when we spoke about what Nigerians were going through. Nobody paid us to challenge policies hurting ordinary people. We did it because we are a testament to that. So if your principles disappear the moment power comes calling, maybe principles were never the point. Nigerians first. Principles before access. Conscience before compensation. Adios. ✌️