**8. The Maslow's hierarchy angle**

The Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five- tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Needs further south in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can sort out needs northwards. From bottom-up, the needs are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization.

Maslow [9] using the above hierarchy of human need, stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. From the list, he postulated that our most basic need is that of physical survival and this will be the first factor that motivates our behavior. Articulating that money is key to solving our physical needs, it therefore means that man gravitates quickly to wherever he can acquire funds with ease. Understanding the preceding fact, whatever positions have great monetary benefits attached usually will attract vehement but detrimental interest. Political Leadership is usually not an exception. The monetary emoluments attached to political positions; particularly in developing countries is enormous. As a result, the race to political offices are highly contested to critical levels such that it usually becomes a very risky affair. The acute poverty level in such countries ironically, is connected to the political leaders abysmal performance, creates an intense pursuit for political positions as an easy route to economic hardship.

#### **9. Comparative analysis of emoluments in developing countries**

To state that the pay packages of political office holders completely dwarfs that of civil servants/workers in developing countries is not an overstatement. From

critical analysis and information sourcing, the civil servants remuneration is match for the average political leader in most countries in Africa. Citing scenarios from Nigeria, according to information captured from online tabloid-Pulse, the average Nigerian Senator earns a minimum of N32million monthly as pay package. And this is to represent a poverty-stricken people of whom most live on less than \$1 a day. If we compare this with the earnings of the highest level researcher from the knowledge setup- a Professor, you will see the clear imbalance. The highest earning Professor in a country like Nigeria, with all emoluments put together earns nothing above the realms of N8million annually. Considering that they are the hope for the dissemination of new knowledge and discoveries as well as inventions, such pay in comparison with their political counterparts is appalling. This type of pay disparity will not encourage the youths and upcoming professionals to develop interest in other areas as much as politics. This what will bring all sorts on individuals into the political terrain. Rather than come for service, they will come in for wealth gain which never makes for productive leadership.
