By ONOJA J OKPANACHI
A good general will only go to war with trusted soldiers who are ready to follow his command. Knowing he has the undivided loyalty of his soldiers, the general leads from the front, risking everything to secure victory for his followers. This is the truth.
Now, welcome to a truth you might hate to hear. You can disagree with it, but I am laying bare the ugly reality that confronts and haunts us today. Until we get it right, the wrong will continue to manifest.
Unfortunately, it has become the norm for the people of Kogi East, not outsiders, to quickly criticize their own leaders and elders at every opportunity. Even when there’s no apparent opportunity, they create one, forcing situations that give them a chance to attack as they wish. This trend is on the rise, and social media, which should be used for good, has become the main platform for launching these attacks.
Just hours after the results of the Edo gubernatorial election were announced, comparisons between Oshiomole and past Kogi State governors of Eastern extraction began in a derogatory manner (as usual). Critics praised Oshiomole for “rescuing” Edo from the incumbent governor, while ridiculing former Kogi State governors for failing to do the same with former Governor Bello. The arguments and curses continue, and they likely won’t cease until the next drama shifts the conversation.
Ironically, many of those criticizing these former leaders fail to realize that they themselves have woefully failed in their roles as citizens and followers. The truth is, the followers fail first, and the result is the leaders’ apparent “I don’t care” attitude. A quick look back: when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was governor, how many protests were held against his government, and who led them? Similarly, when Captain Idris Wada was in office, can you recall any other Nigerian governor (past or present) who endured the level of abuse and embarrassment he faced? And who were the main culprits? Kogi Easterners, simply because the leaders didn’t align with them at the time. But when the time comes for leaders to rise, we turn around and question why they are not stepping up. It doesn’t work that way. No general will risk everything for followers who don’t value him. It’s only natural to sit back and watch when the moral support to fight has been killed by the people themselves.
This ugly situation isn’t limited to past governors; it extends to other elites and well-to-do individuals from Kogi East. Today, they are all potential targets of attacks, simply waiting their turn. All it takes is one mistake, one error, and that’s enough to erase all their past good deeds and destroy their reputation, regardless of the value they could still bring to the people. Sadly, those launching these attacks put so much energy into it that, if channeled productively, they could become millionaires in no time.
Look at our elites and ask who among them hasn’t been torn down. We treat them as if they are nothing, yet we expect them to fight for “us.” You won’t get a fight from those we tear down at every opportunity.
This unfortunate development in Kogi East makes me wonder how we view politics. Our approach is one-dimensional, and I often ask myself if we’ve decided to be a one-party region, shifting from 90% PDP to 90% APC, and vice versa. This reflects our lack of collective strategy; we’re often on autopilot when it comes to political moves. Instead of finding common ground, even if we belong to different political parties, we create deeper divides, making reconciliation nearly impossible. This is a mindset we need to change internally before we can free ourselves from this mental bondage.
If you expect someone to fight for you or stand up for a cause tomorrow, be mindful of how you treat them when they’re down or facing challenges. In fact, treat everyone with caution, keeping in mind what the future may hold.
We have a lot of work to do if we want leaders who will rise to the occasion when the time comes. Don’t expect good leadership if you’re a bad follower.
ARISE.
