This famous adage, popularized by philosopher Joseph de Maistre, sparks deep debate. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of the governed. However, it often oversimplifies deeply complex systemic issues.
Please see my thoughts/notes below
1• The kidnapping crisis disproportionately affects everyday citizens rather than the immediate family members of top politicians and public officials. While some high-profile individuals or their relatives have been targeted, ordinary Nigerians bear the overwhelming brunt of this insecurity across the country.
2• When high-profile officials or their families are occasionally targeted, the response from state security apparatus is typically swift, resulting in massive manhunts, high-level intelligence deployment, and frequent rescues.
3• The deeper question is If those kidnapped were a family member of any of our top politicians will they still be in captivity? I’ll never forget how our rulers hoarded noodles during COVID lockdown and watched how the hungry populace broke warehouses to get them.
We saw the extent a top politician allegedly lured a guy to UK for a transplant just to save his daughter. That alone will tell you the extent they can go to save their own kids. They don’t care about others, they only remember they exist every 4 years.
That’s to show you how evil politicians can be if the situation doesn’t involve them or their kids. They can’t track this bandits but they can track someone for saying the truth.
*Please find below one of the feedbacks from a fellow compatriot:*
Good morning bro. My comments:
1. I think it is fraught with danger to refer to politicians as our leaders – they are mostly opportunists, with conscience guarded by what it takes to acquire and control power. Leaders are role models and these category is not it!
2. Our society is mostly populated by people with similar characters to those of the various politicians. It is a serious matter that at least 90% of Nigerians have acquired the character deficiency of prominent Nigerians – politicians, businessmen & women, civil (evil) servants, teachers, religious personnel, etc. This is my experience, but it could be different for others. Cunning and mostly cheats (in all respect) cannot and should not expect anything different from what we have now.
3. We are so diverse that what one section of our subnationalities consider taboo, is the essence and definition of good by others. This is the essence of our societal complexity and no politician or group can solve the challenges emanating from this without addressing the nature of our coexistence. We must stop trying to build a perpetual motion machine – as this is against the fundamental laws of nature!
4. Until the average member of this country is prepared to shelf selfishness, greed and blatant self-deceit, nothing will change in this country. We must first modify our mindset and outlook before asserting our rights. Our problem is not the politicians, it is squarely the consequence of our miseducation, irresponsibility and believe in magical happenstance. This would sound odd, but character and civic responsibility are determinants of societal development. We sweat the small sweat, embrace individual convenience against collective effort. When are we going to stop honouring thieves, power rascals, political hoodlums and scallywags?
5. No human being is infallible, however, the degree of this is directly proportional to the extent to which a *human being* grows towards *being human*!
The politicians is not more brilliant, more resourceful or with any talents beyond those God gave you and me – don’t expect them to look after anyone. Those who have used the resources of this country to get to where they are must now assume responsibility! Where are those that own the oil wells, etc?
My warmest greetings and best wishes for the weekend.
Richard ODUSANYA
odusanyagold@gmail.com
