Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has challenged public perceptions that state executives live in comfort, insisting that the office of governor is defined more by hardship than luxury.
The governor made the remarks while speaking on the heavy burden of responsibility involved in managing state affairs amid Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges.
Governor Radda dismissed the notion that visible privileges of office—such as security convoys and official motorcades—translate into a life of ease, stressing that the reality behind the scenes is one of intense pressure and personal sacrifice.
“They see you moving in convoy with police escorts and start thinking you are enjoying yourself as a governor,” Radda said, addressing what he described as common assumptions held by many Nigerians.
He emphasized that the psychological and physical demands of governance are often overlooked by the public, noting that citizens tend to focus on the ceremonial aspects of leadership while ignoring its grueling nature.
“We are really suffering; there is nothing enjoyable about being a governor,” he added.
The comments have sparked renewed debate on social media, with users divided over the true nature of political leadership in Nigeria. While some sympathized with the administrative and security challenges faced by governors, others pointed to the sharp contrast between the lifestyle of political leaders and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens grappling with inflation and insecurity.
Governor Radda has previously voiced similar frustrations. Shortly after his inauguration last year, he described the governorship as being “caged,” a reference to the loss of personal freedom and constant public scrutiny that come with the office.
