LEADERSHIP AND THE MONSTER CALLED BLARNEY (II)
This endemic wave of sycophancy sweeping across the lengths and breadth
of our political space with uncontrollable rage of inferno, prosecuting our
god-sent democracy and fuelling several political movements, unarguably needs
to be thoroughly considered as well as checkmated by any leader that bears
‘decency and transparency’ as his watchwords. It’s needless to state that, such
way of life requires to be holistically thrown to the waste-bin, which is its
rightful place, for eternity.
Intriguingly, only but a few had openly condemned this monster that’s
gradually, but steadily getting engraved in the psyche of most Nigerians,
probably consciously or otherwise, while trading their sense of honour, candour
and integrity on the platform of actualizing egotist gains.
We must note that, on the average, it’s sycophancy that breeds despotism
in any democracy; this is why any leader who truly thinks good of the society
or country he leads mustn’t in any way pamper its practice that’s flourishing unabatedly
not just in Nigeria but across the globe.
The most worrisome, and perhaps amusing aspect of it is a situation
where you would notice that those who never wanted Mohammadu Buhari to become
the President of Nigeria are currently the prime ‘supporters’ of the present
administration. How would you reconcile this? Of course, since their man had
been defeated, they decided to take a U-turn to the other side of the road just
to quench their selfish urge. Unequivocally, President Buhari needs to distance
himself from this set of people who actually mean no good for his
administration.
Similarly, on the part of the electorate; if we’re sincerely yearning
for a positive change, then we must, individually or collectively, say no to
all these partisan activities occurring daily across the federation. The youth
that are widely reckoned to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ must steer clear from
presentation of unmerited eulogy to any leader, so that, power would become
theirs somebody as they earnestly anticipate; or like Esau, they ought to go
ahead and sell their birthright just for a bowl of meats. If they don’t desist
from such unwholesome attitude, the proposed town-hall meeting, if eventually
observed by the Presidency, would as well be marred by sycophancy.
Another devastating phenomenon, which triggers the senses of anyone who
understands the societal implications, is that most Nigerians have resorted to
adopting it as a norm or their occupation having inured themselves to it,
thereby relegating morality, modesty and integrity to the background. And
pitiably, they have no iota of plan in the nearest future to abjure it, or even
lose a bit of interest.
Against this backdrop, the President Mohammadu Buhari–led administration
that’s anchored on a change mantra is expected to do everything within its
reach towards ensuring that sycophants are not just shown the way out, but
thoroughly prosecuted considering the fact that they are deadlier than highway
robbers. Thus, as the said administration is strongly determined to wipe out
corruption in the country in its entirety, sycophancy ought to be treated as
one of its priorities.
It ought to be treated as a crime because it is highly criminal both
before God and mankind. It doesn’t in any way deserve to be harboured within
our various institutions cum communities. The damage it has caused thus far, if
well estimated, is far more than the damage attributed to other vices to
include corruption, graft particularly, kidnapping, robbery and what have you.
Sycophants not just in Nigeria, but the global community as a whole,
have taken more than they could chew, hence shouldn’t be spared by any one or
authority that truly intends to live up to the people’s expectations. We can’t fold
our hands and watch a certain set of deceitful individuals hijack our common
patrimony. It is our duty to safeguard our treasury for the good of all.
This significantly implies that, there’s a compelling need to enact a
strict law that would adequately address
the anomaly, which is observed in every such field of human endeavour as, but
not limited to, trading, education, health, politics, governance, business,
journalism, and what have you. Suffice it to say that, the cankerworm is found
in our everyday social, economic, as well as political lives. Inter alia, our
respective families aren’t exempted from the lingering can of worms.
Indeed, blarney, which remains a deceptive and fake gesture in any
setting, is wicked, inhumane and deadly; hence, needs to be considered as such.
Like cancer, it has conspicuously eaten up the soul and conscience of this
country. While ending the lifespan of this dreaded monster, no one should be
seen as being above the law or above mankind.
It has taken us aback, hence the
need to truncate its unannounced and unlicensed existence. And, to actualize
this, we must be truthful to ourselves at all cost. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor
Executive
Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
__________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
