From Hop to Stop: Overcoming grasshopper mentality in Nigerian politics
A “grasshopper mentality” is a colloquialism that refers to a mindset characterised by short-term thinking, lack of focus, and a tendency to jump from one thing to another without achieving lasting results. It is often used to describe individuals who lack persistence. They may start projects or tasks with enthusiasm but quickly lose interest or motivation, are easily distracted, may be prone to distractions and find it challenging to maintain focus on a single task or goal. People with grasshopper mentality, may prioritise immediate gratification over long-term benefits and sustainability.
The term “grasshopper mentality” is derived from the idea that grasshoppers are known for jumping from one place to another, often without a clear destination or purpose. In a similar way, individuals with a grasshopper mentality may be seen as lacking direction, focus, or perseverance in their pursuits.
This concept can be applied to various areas of life, including work, relationships, personal growth, and goal achievement. By recognising and addressing a grasshopper mentality, individuals can work towards developing greater focus, persistence, and long-term thinking. However, grasshopper mentality is not only seen in individuals alone, but also our leaders. This is the tendency of most politicians to jump from one thing to another without achieving lasting results.
Politicians frequently switch allegiances and ideologies for personal gain, rather than serving the public interest. Examples include Daniel Bwala, Reno Omokri, and Femi Fani-Kayode, who have all made notable ideological shifts in their political careers. Daniel Bwala shifted from criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to becoming his Special Adviser, exemplifying ideological flexibility for personal gain. Reno Omokri’s transformation from accusing President Tinubu of being a “drug baron”, to defending his administration, is showcasing a notable reversal.
Femi Fani-Kayode’s Flip-Flop, from criticising President Tinubu, to becoming a key defender, highlights the transactional nature of Nigerian politics. Let’s take a look at Femi Fani-Kayode’s inconsistencies in his political stance and affiliations over the years. He served as Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo, from 2003 to 2006 and later held ministerial positions under Obasanjo’s administration. However, he also criticised Obasanjo’s successor, President Umaru Yar’Adua, and alleged that Yar’Adua’s administration sought to jail and destroy Obasanjo’s loyalists.
Fani-Kayode has been associated with different political parties and movements, including the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he joined in 2021. He has expressed varying opinions on significant matters, such as his criticism of President Yar’Adua’s administration and his support for President Tinubu’s policies. Fani-Kayode’s flip-flop has sparked debates and criticisms, with some questioning his consistency and loyalty to particular ideologies or parties.
Leaders with grasshopper mentality, often prioritise personal benefits over public service, often engaging in corrupt practices and self-enrichment. This has led to widespread cynicism and erosion of public trust in democratic institutions.
Politicians prioritise immediate gains over long-term development and sustainability. This mindset hinders effective governance and national progress. These have consequences which of course is bore by the average and below average Nigerians. Citizens become disillusioned with the political process, leading to widespread cynicism and apathy, poor governance, this is because the focus on personal gain over public service results in ineffective governance and lack of progress and corruption.
Grasshopper mentality in Nigerian leaders refers to a mindset characterised by short-term thinking, lack of focus, and a tendency to jump from one thing to another without achieving lasting results. This phenomenon is evident in various aspects of Nigerian politics, such as lack of ideological consistency.
The way our leaders engage in defections and party switching can be viewed as grasshopper mentality. Politicians frequently switch parties, often citing personal or ideological reasons, but ultimately seeking better opportunities or personal gain. Nigerian leaders often fail to take responsibility for their actions, instead blaming others or circumstances for their failures. This grasshopper mentality in Nigerian leaders contributes to
Overcoming grasshopper mentality in Nigerian politics requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of this phenomenon. Although it will easier for the proverbial horse to pass through the eye of a needle than Nigerian politicians and our leaders to do the right thing, this writeup, seeks to encourage politicians to adhere to specific ideologies, reducing the tendency to jump from one party to another for personal gain.
Politicians are also encouraged to foster a culture of party loyalty and discipline, where politicians prioritise party principles over personal interests, ensure development projects are insulated from partisan politics, focusing on national interests rather than party affiliations, encourage inclusive decision-making processes that involve all stakeholders, regardless of party affiliations, enhance the capacity of institutions, such as the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies, to promote accountability and transparency, reduce executive dominance and promote checks and balances to prevent abuse of power and promote leadership that prioritises national interests over personal gain.
Leaders should thrive to engage in long-term planning, rather than focusing on short-term gains, educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities, enabling them to hold leaders accountable, foster a culture of civic engagement, where citizens participate in decision-making processes and demand good governance, reforming political culture by addressing the culture of “carpet-crossing” and promote party loyalty and encourage politicians to prioritise truthfulness, integrity, and accountability.
By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can begin to overcome the grasshopper mentality that has hindered effective governance and development. This requires a sustained effort from both leaders and citizens to promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership. If as individuals we do away with grasshopper, Nigerian leaders and politicians will be great. It is time for Nigerians to stop moving from scattered focus to concentrated effort, from jumping between multiple task or ideas to focusing on a single, important goal. It is time to desist from hopping and stop.
