Should I Swap the Pen for Politics? A Publisher’s Dilemma in Nigeria’s Crossroads

By Michael Omoruyi, Ph.D., Publisher, iNewsAfrica

Over the past several months, I’ve found myself at the receiving end of a rising tide of encouragement — not from political party operatives, but from the people who matter most: my close friends, family members, and readers across Nigeria and the diaspora. Their refrain is clear and persistent: “You speak truth to power every day. Why not take the power and change things yourself?”

It is a humbling proposition. As the founder and publisher of iNewsAfrica, I’ve dedicated my platform to challenging narratives, spotlighting injustice, and amplifying the voices of the forgotten. In a media landscape too often compromised by silence or sycophancy, we’ve chosen courage. So it’s no surprise that people now ask if that courage should be tested in the crucible of political leadership.

But should I heed the call?

The Case For Entering Politics

Nigeria is, quite frankly, in a state of arrested development. Decades after independence, our democracy remains fragile, corrupted by patronage, weakened institutions, and a widening disconnect between citizens and the elite class.

If we want transformation — not just incremental change — then we must inject the system with new blood, new ethics, and new vision. And who better than those who have consistently held the system accountable?

I have spent years investigating corruption, highlighting electoral flaws, and advocating for youth, gender equity, digital literacy, and African agency. Perhaps it is time to stop being the messenger and become part of the machinery for change.

Unlike career politicians groomed in party caucuses and godfather pacts, I bring an unfiltered voice, rooted in the experience of listening to citizens — from Lagos to London, Kano to New York. I understand the heartbeat of Nigerians at home and abroad. And I bring no baggage of political compromise. That, some argue, is the rarest qualification of all.

The Case Against

But there’s also an argument for staying the course — outside the system, but deeply influential.

As a news reporter and publisher, I wield a different kind of power. It is the power to inform, to expose, to question, and to rally people around shared truths. Stepping into political office risks muzzling that voice. Politics, after all, demands compromise — often at the expense of principle.

What’s more, Nigeria’s political system is notoriously hostile to outsiders. Running for office without deep pockets, entrenched networks, or godfather alliances is a Sisyphean task. Will entering politics dilute the very independence that makes my voice credible? Could iNewsAfrica survive the perception of bias or partisan control?

And then there’s the global diaspora I represent. From Berlin to Baltimore, readers don’t just rely on us for African news — they see us as a symbol of what African media can be: bold, principled, fearless. Does walking into the lion’s den risk caging the lion?

A Crossroads, Not a Conclusion

Perhaps the real question isn’t whether I should run for office — but how best to serve.

Public service comes in many forms. Some build institutions; others hold them accountable. Some lead protests; others write the stories that inspire them. Some cast votes in parliament; others shape public opinion with the stroke of a pen.

I haven’t made a final decision yet. But I promise this: whether through news reporting or public office, I will continue to serve the truth, and by extension, the people.

Let the debate continue, and may it ignite a new era of civic courage for all Nigerians.

About the Writer
Dr. Omoruyi is a political affairs columnist for iNewsAfrica, focused on governance, elections, and civic engagement across Africa.