By Abiola Akintunde
There is no universal goodness in Nigeria’s conception of politics, what is good or ideal is most times determined by our affinity, if we are not politically inclined towards an individual or an idea we will use all our strength to justify what is unjustifiable just to be politically correct. The politics of objectivity doesn’t exist in the Nigerian polity, our sense of sound judgement is most times beclouded by our affinity and sentiment. We give an angelic depiction to monstrous actions, when we see political actors, we incline them as infallible characters who can do no wrong in our estimation. We try to change the obvious reflection of issues even if such defence will bring our sanity to question, everything is permissible if political interest is involved even if the political interest is inimical to the common good. The politics of sentiment is deeply rooted in NIGERIA and it is adversely affecting the development of NIGERIA.
The politics of sentiment gives impetus to agitations because of the mutual suspicions those with diverse political inclination have towards themselves, the politics of sentiment is very cancerous and injurious wherever it is deeply operational. Instead of focusing on the politics of development, the politics of sentiment makes sectional politics or sectional agenda its main focus in relation to her engagement with power. The common good isn’t always the focus. Those who romance the politics of sentiment present themselves most times as the saviour that wants to deliver the people from enslavement but in actual fact they leverage on the existential challenges to have access to power for the promotion of private good.
The politics of sentiment encourages the politics of difference instead of the politics of unity. The politics of sentiment kills merit on the altar of chauvinism. The politics of sentiment gives impetus to a warlike situation instead of tranquil situation. The politics of sentiment kills innovative ideas that will make the state develop at a fast pace. The politics of sentiment makes the polity look rudderless and disorganized. It is common knowledge that development will be a delusion in a polity that is not intentional and deliberate about nation- building.
The “US and THEM” dichotomy should be deemphasized in the NIGERIAN polity, the Nigerian-state should learn that diversity isn’t a disease, it is an advantage if it is well managed, the politics of difference shouldn’t be given a pride of place. We shouldn’t justify what is unjustifiable because of clannish or political sentiment. If we overlook the shortcomings in the polity because it has no implication on our clannish and political affinity, in the nearest future the same monster that was natured by us for sentimental reasons will likely torment us. If injustice is done to a man and we pretend to be oblivious about it, the fact is that when we are also victim of injustice the system will also pay us back.
We should always address the issues in the polity and when we identify what is not right or what is not in conformity with the Ideals we shouldn’t try to give an ideal outlook to what is obviously bad and if what is good is coming from those we don’t like we shouldn’t try to give their idea a bad outlook because we are not inclined to it politically. Sentiment kills deep thinking, the NIGERIANS should try to be more focused on the real issues instead of allowing sentiment to becloud our sense of sound judgement.
