Inordinate Quest for Power/Power Tussle: The poem explores the inordinate ambition and power tussle found in many African leaders. The reader is first made to know that they stake their claim to power. To stake means to get firmly tied or to clinch on to something. Everyone exhibits their quest to clinch to power by all means. All of them have to claim to the leadership pack or the other. This breeds power tussle. The lion sticks to his claim of being the most superior leader.

Intimidation of the Masses: The poem also shows how the masses are fiercely intimidated such that they do not speak or stand for their rights. With brute intimidation, those who consider themselves lords and superiors muzzle the masses and make them to be in their cocoons perpetually.

Incompetence of Our Leaders: The poem explores the high level of incompetence found in our leaders. Many struggle by all means to get power even when it is clear to them that they lack competence and moral standing to be there. The poet describes this situation as having lethal appetite.

Hope for the Masses: The Leader and the Led also explores the theme of hope. The masses are not forever left in utter despair. Hope comes at last as a savior comes to salvage the situation. He has come to maintain sanctity and sanity in the entire polity. Such a leader has a proven integrity and other qualities required of his calling.