By Mecha Kingsley Ukpai
The balance of power between a King and a Kingmaker is shaped entirely by the unique circumstances at play. It does not unfold in the same way everywhere.
In chess, one might think the King possesses ultimate authority. After all, the King resides on the throne, issues decrees, and commands pawns, rooks, knights, and bishops to execute his will. Yet a closer look reveals a more complex reality.
At the start of the game, the very individual responsible for placing the King on the chessboard often wields significant influence behind the scenes. Indeed, the Playmaker has the power to dictate how, where, and when the pieces move.
The Playmaker, who orchestrated the King’s rise through carefully cultivated alliances and strategically deployed resources, typically holds the upper hand. They understand the landscape, the key players, and the true levers of power.
Frequently, an ambitious King exhibits the inexperience of a novice in the game of power. They perceive threats in the shadows and quickly work to fortify their position, leveraging their new authority to establish independent power bases and alliances, positioning themselves to become the next Playmaker or Kingmaker.
However, a seasoned Kingmaker anticipates this move. They have most likely devised contingency plans, concealed reserves of influence within vital institutions, and built a loyal support base. The outcomes can be unexpected and often lead to divergent interpretations.
Nonetheless, the dynamics of power in this high-stakes game often extend beyond the direct control of either party. How do the common folk view the new King compared to their predecessor, the Kingmaker? What lasting impact did the Kingmaker leave during their reign? Such factors can sway public opinion and the loyalty of key institutions in unpredictable ways.
It is tempting to believe that popular support is the ultimate arbiter in these power struggles. However, throughout history, the will of the people has often proved less influential than we might assume. When key institutions—like the police, military, treasury, and religious leaders—are firmly in the grips of either the Kingmaker or the King, public sentiment inevitably takes a backseat.
This is not to suggest that the voice of the people is entirely irrelevant. There have been moments when widespread discontent or sudden shifts in public opinion have taken both King and Kingmaker by surprise, shaking their resolve. While they focus on outmaneuvering one another, they may overlook the brewing winds of change, as evidenced by the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, where Kingmakers and Kings lost their grip despite significant institutional backing, all due to the Peter Obi wave.
The struggle for dominance between King and Kingmaker is inherently dynamic. Today’s victors may find themselves on the executioner’s block tomorrow. Alliances dissolve, new coalitions form, and fortunes shift. In this realm of high-stakes politics, the only constant between King and Kingmaker is that the one with the most to lose must be acutely aware of the room before stepping into murky, crocodile-infested waters.
