The Citizens Loyalty Towards National Rebirth -By Clement Uwayah

In his inauguration address in 2017, US President, Donald Trump, stated, “At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other”. This was a weighty remark, propelled by the strong belief that loyalty is not only key, but of paramount importance towards national growth and development. The issue of loyalty is very critical, being a necessary elixir needed to push forward intentions and thereby attain the envisaged success. Every group, organization or nation relies on the loyalty of people to move forward. The impetus derived from loyalty makes it a necessary requisite for the attainment of success in all spheres of life. Businesses survive when people are loyal to their brands. For any entity to thrive, it is necessary for the leader to be surrounded by loyalists who believe in the vision and by extension the leader. These indices account for differentials in growths of groups, organizations, or a country.

So, whether to an individual, group, organization or a country, loyalty remains a sure elixir for hope and positive results. And, when and where loyalty becomes dimmed or diminished, the resultant effect is often characterized with despondence, uncertainties and possible termination of dreams and ultimate failures. So, to advance a course, individuals, groups, organizations and indeed nations need people who would maintain some high degrees of loyalty. But then, what happens when there is a conflict of loyalty? Is it possible to be loyal to two courses simultaneously, especially if it tends to be at cross-purposes? And more importantly, is there no boundary or limitations to loyalty of individuals or groups when governance and national political leadership recalibrations becomes inevitable? What more, if such loyalty is somewhat perceived to be at cross purposes to a nation’s redemption, growth, and development, knowing too well that we are in a society of highly ignorant and gullible citizens with pauperism as an established tool for the securement of loyalty? This is where we need to x-ray the subject, ‘loyalty’, with the intention to redirect our mindsets towards more productive, prosperous, and futuristic tendencies and outcomes now and after the 2023 general elections. This is much so important as it is needful to ensure that our quest for a new Nigeria on the basis of rebranded leadership get birthed.

Loyalty, political loyalty (in particular) has become a critical subject. This is because loyalty is a strong basis upon which people situate and rally support for and to candidates during elections. Wikipedia states that, ‘Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person. The definition of loyalty in law and political science is the fidelity of an individual to a nation, either one’s nation of birth, or one’s declared home nation by oath (naturalization).’ What the above definition clearly depicts is the fact that there should be no basis for conflicts when allegiance or loyalty towards an individual or group runs at cross purposes to majority leanings or desire. This is where the current political development in Nigeria has generated into a movement for a preferred candidate. It seems to wear the toga of national desires. However, the resistance from far and near is indicative of manipulations. It is a matter of fact that loyalty can be and is being misplaced. But then, what defines a nation’s desires to justify insinuations, perceptions, or outright conclusions that some people’s loyalty is wrong or not in the nation’s best interest?

National desires, just like national interests, are issues and topics that are very critical to the nation, especially within the context of its internal confines. It is unarguable that one of such desires of Nigerians is and remains the quest for the emergence of a political system or class that would change leadership concepts, thereby paving the way for the redemption of the country from the ravaging situations of economic quagmires, social milieu, and unabated poverty in the land. There is no doubt that our retardation as a nation took root from the consistent failures of successive government, leadership incompetence and self-serving tendencies. Such leadership incompetence was heightened because the political system has a way of throwing up misfits. The emergence of candidates from where choices are ultimately made always left much to be desired; always characterized by monetary influences that eventually make the moneybags or their stooges always emerge from political party primaries. So, in effect, our greatest desire as a nation at this point in time, is the institution of leadership that is different from the prevailing order of mediocrity, self-service, and purposelessness, which has thrown the nation into the pitiable situation of insecurity of lives and property, hunger and deprivation. This desire reflects in the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians, as exemplified in the various support groups for Peter Obi in the build up to the upcoming 2023 general elections.

Ordinarily, it is expected that the prosperity of the nation takes centre or prime position in the hearts of every well-meaning citizen, to the effect of free choice of leaders during elections. This has not ever been brought to bear, because from onset the political class had found a way of enshrined and perpetual pauperism of the masses and the control of their mind through financial handouts, inducements, or baits. This explains the fact that much of what we see as loyalty is misplaced. Misplaced or mistaken loyalty refers to loyalty placed in other persons or organizations where that loyalty is not acknowledged or respected, is betrayed, or taken advantage of. It can also mean loyalty to a malignant or misguided cause. Social psychology provides a partial explanation for the phenomenon in the way “the norm of social commitment directs us to honor our agreements. People usually stick to the deal even though it has changed for the worse”.

Humanists point out that “man inherits the capacity for loyalty, but not the use to which he shall put it…may unselfishly devote himself to what is petty or vile, as he may to what is generous and noble”. No doubt, the loyalties exhibited in our political terrain in Nigeria is almost entirely coercive. For almost the first time in our political history, Nigeria is witnessing loyalties of people from all spectra towards a candidate (except the political class itself). It follows that such loyalty being so organic is nothing but one of national best interests. Obviously, the typical politician doesn’t fancy what could be in favour of the masses. Rather than the usual coercive one that is birthed on the strength of might and suppression by the candidates and their parties, we now see a situation where people are loyal by cost, commitment, and convenience. One can only hope that those acting loyalty scripts could be bold enough to liberate themselves from acts that are clearly against their clear minds.

Avid and altruistic minds have been deliberate about the issue of loyalty and mostly hold the view that it is something more of a moral burden. Perhaps, the importance of upholding loyalty to a nation above that of individual or group best explains the concept of national pledges. The pledge remains a binding but often ignored expectation of every Nigerian. If the letter and spirit of the National Pledge were being upheld, then most of the allegiance, faithfulness and loyalty were never supposed to be. Where is the commitment of Nigerians to the “I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be honest, loyal and faithful …” recitations? Should it be assumed appropriate to fight for a man’s course, or a party’s course even though their antecedents are of woeful outcomes in previous engagements, and even much more likely to be worse with those being projected? Why does it seem very difficult for people to take the bulls by the horns concerning political candidates, when it is expected that the future should matter?

As a matter of fact, issues of national importance, especially misplaced political loyalty, have continually drawn the attention of those who see the evil in it. Samuel Adams as far back as 1748, had in his essay, Loyalty and Sedition, stated that “It is a very great mistake to imagine that the object of loyalty is the authority and interest of one man, however dignified by the applause or enriched by the success of popular actions.” This is in reference to those with political might and seeking to be mightier than their country of service. Michael Swanwick hints of “the loyalty of the systematically betrayed”, and asks, “Is there anything sadder?” Ex-President Woodrow Wilson in addressing the American nation on what he calls the American Spirit, in Washington (13 July 1916), stated that “Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice”. Mark Twain in 1905, stated what loyalty should be when he said, “To put it in rude, plain, unpalatable words- true patriotism, real patriotism: loyalty not to a Family and a Fiction, but a loyalty to the nation itself!”

In the final analysis, it must be drummed up that any political ambition for oneself or others that is not welcomed by a great majority of the populace is a disservice and those loyal to that cause are nothing but disloyal to the nation. This is much more so, when there is a sweeping movement that is organically mobilized towards a common goal. It is arguable that knowledge is the main cause or push for the blind loyalty that pervades the land, because it cuts across-the-board. But whether borne out of conviction, coercion or deception, loyalty to an individual or political party with seeming detrimental outcomes to the nation, is one that does not permit ruling out lacking, poor, or expired knowledge. This is the rationale behind unlearning, relearning, and research which form the basis of man’s innate ability to escape from several possible negative outcomes. Knowledge is indeed power, and it explains the outburst of one of Nigeria’s altruistic commentators, Dele Farotimi, when in his new year post on Facebook said, “I do not wish you happiness in this new year 2023. Mba! I pray you KNOWLEDGE. I want you to come to the knowledge of the truth of our collective putrefaction. I want you to be outraged and provoked into demanding a turnaround”. This is where we stand today; conscientious and deliberate knowledge that enables mind reset to the effect of realignments towards instituting a pattern of leadership that promises to be different from the usual. Without mention, we sure know who amongst those jostling for the seat of President the cap fits. Looking elsewhere could only mean mental slavery. And, off course, first level loyalty means you own it a duty to the nation to vote. So, pick up you voter’s card and be ready to exercise your duties to the nation by voting come this general elections and beyond!!!

Clement Uwayah, a public affairs analyst writes from Edo State