Nigerian Politicians And Propaganda: A Tale Of Siamese Twins explores the intertwining nature of the interaction between Nigerian Politicians and Political Propaganda Machinery.
There is no doubt that Nigerian Polity is under attack from the political propaganda of the political elites.
Jonathan Swift succinctly opines :
“Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine after the patient is dead.”
Nigerian Politicians And Propaganda: A Tale Of Siamese Twins
In Nigeria, falsehood is a cheetah running at its top speed while truth sits unmoved in a corner like a stone.
Oftentimes, it’s more surprising to see people clamouring for a better and favourable system that enables flowing opportunities than to see a man who rocks “agbada” or “Italian suit” dripping lies like broken taps to win a political seat.
The rate at which politicians are willing to cajole the citizens to bend their will has become the topmost strategy for winning electoral offices.
This is at variance with the traditional and transparent means of proving their goodwill, through their incredible characters and remarkable deeds, even before getting to any office.
Pure deceptive art is a lead generator in Nigeria.
After thorough scrutiny of the politics of Africa, one could see that politicians and propaganda are like Siamese twins, especially in Nigeria.
The tacit relationship between the Politicians and Propaganda is complicated, and cannot be easily separated because it premises most mechanisms upon which the empires of the Politicians are built.
Nigerian politics today cannot be separated from propaganda and oftentimes, one could barely point out the disparity between manifestos and lie-filled propaganda.
This is because the common political currency dispensed by these nonchalant folks is blatant lies wrapped up with theatrical pretence and enticing flavour.
One could hardly see an upright politician who is ready to lift this nation or a state to its full potential.
It is either they are power-driven or puppet driven by covert magnates who impose and depose at will, for their selfish benefits.
A friend once said, “This nation is suffering from unrighteousness and because of this, it might soon be reduced to dust by the elements leading it.”
The other side of the coin, however, is the tale of propaganda-moved followership.
This has added fuel to the blazing interest of the political leaders who implement crafty means of winning citizens over to their camp through “peanuts fund” and “well-practised sweet lies.”
This must happen because the citizens are staunch fans of these people and abridged political theatre world.
It is that simple –
“Make citizens suffer for 4 years and give them well-crafted excuses all through but when it’s about the end of tenure disburse money. Start empowerment programs, construct non-standard roads for them, build less standard classes, give them few measures of grains and finally hide under these auspices and request for their support.”
They will give it willingly.
That is the audit trail of strategy undertaken by the political leaders to take advantage of the citizens’ inability to recognize the truth.
Nigerian Politicians And Propaganda: A Tale Of Siamese Twins
A poet once said, “Why are we so daft?”
Furthermore, it is about time now when the citizens will be lost in the theatrical aspect of politics, who would have known that these leaders stern and callous are experts at acting plays and staging lies all about the country?
These men understand how imperative love is, in winning human support, but the assertion is not then displayed all through their stay in office or even before stepping into any political office.
Their dominant thought is not the growth of the state but the rank of their political power.
Meanwhile, the lasting leadership power is always the one that is backed by a sea of followers.
Who says this fact is not essential? Why then are they busy tormenting people to buy their weak minds and trusts with pennies later when they need it most to prolong their days in power?
Additionally, it would not be surprising in the last quarter of this year to see political leaders flooding the street wearing pretence over and beneath their attire walking streets, sleeping on tattered beds with poverty-stricken in derelict houses, helping helpless mothers to back and carry babies as they help fry plantain and corn.
Some will help struggling women fry bean cake on the streets, while some will hug broken kids tirelessly till their parents see them as angels of some sort.
Some will buy local snacks on the road and eat them with already cajoled folks and lots more.
However, has anybody questioned these pretentious leaders why they all schedule this humanity love, care and heartwarming speeches to the last quarter of their final year in office?
Why is it that in Nigerian politics, love is best shown at the last minute?
Oftentimes, imagining questions like these unveils the height of citizens’ ignorance and uneconomical silence.
It will not only paint politics black but also reduce Nigerian leadership to the lowest ebb unless drastic measures are adopted.
Ultimately, the citizens should be critical of the choice of leadership they would be choosing and not be clouded by ethnicity, race or language.
Also, budding leaders should be upright and willing to love, care and pull on their responsibility when needed most.
The outgoing leaders should stop appropriating their offspring’ lives with theirs, and stop spending their future lavishly because their credibility might end up as a barrier to them In the future, thereby hampering them from living their full potential.
By doing this, the growth, social mobility and the spread of the commonwealth would be commonplace within the society, and the standard of living and the condition of living of the citizens would be positively impacted.
Nigerian Politicians And Propaganda: A Tale Of Siamese Twins