Hero worshipping idolises and glorifies political leaders, often ignoring their flaws, failures, and abuses of power.
In the mind of the followers, their leader is the best and only capable person to rule the country.
They also believe the leader cannot do wrong.
These followers are everywhere, even more on social media, where they drown any opposing voice or criticism of their leader.
WHY HERO-WORSHIPPING IS BAD
- Hero worshipping creates a cult of personality around political leaders, making them seem infallible, indispensable, and above criticism.
- The effects of hero-worshipping in Nigerian politics are detrimental to the development of democracy and social justice in the country.
- This practice undermines the principles of accountability, transparency, and checks and balances essential for a healthy democracy.
- Hero worshipping also prevents the emergence of alternative voices and perspectives in the political arena, as dissenters are marginalised, silenced, or demonised.
- Hero worshipping fosters a culture of sycophancy, opportunism, and corruption, as political followers seek to please and benefit from their leaders rather than serve the public interest.
- Hero worshipping also breeds intolerance, violence, and division, as political supporters become fanatical and hostile towards anyone who challenges or opposes their leaders.
HISTORY OF HERO-WORSHIPPING AND ITS OUTCOME IN NIGERIAN POLITICS
Hero worshipping has been a feature of Nigerian politics since the colonial era. Some nationalist leaders were declared heroes for their anti-colonial struggle.
However, some of these leaders later became authoritarian, betraying the ideals of independence and democracy.
Hero worshipping continued post-independence, as regional and ethnic politics dominated the Nigerian landscape.
Political leaders such as Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa were champions of their respective regions and ethnic groups, though perceived as rivals and enemies of other regions and ethnic groups.
This situation led to political instability, violence, and a civil war that claimed millions of lives.
Hero worshipping persisted in the military era, as some coup leaders became heroes for overthrowing corrupt and incompetent civilian regimes.
However, these military rulers soon became dictators who violated human rights, suppressed civil liberties and plundered the national treasury.
Hero worshipping has not disappeared in the current democratic dispensation, which started in 1999. Rather, it has assumed more dangerous forms and dimensions.
Civilian leaders such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’ Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari are heroes who their loyalists and supporters claimed could solve Nigeria’s problems and deliver its destiny.
However, these leaders have also faced criticism and opposition from their detractors and rivals who accuse them of incompetence, corruption, nepotism, sectionalism, and tyranny.
Hero-worshipping is now at its peak, with supporters of the major presidential candidates in the recently concluded election claiming their leader to be the only one with the key to the nation’s progress, growth and unity.
THE USE OF MUSIC AND PUBLIC SPEAKING AS TOOLS OF PROPAGANDA IN HERO-WORSHIPPING
Hero worshipping has manifested in the use and speech to praise and glorify political leaders or to despise and smear their opponents.
Various political actors in Nigeria have used music and speech as tools of political influence, communication, and propaganda.
Some musicians have composed songs that extol the virtues and achievements of their preferred leaders or that ridicule and denounce their adversaries.
There are a few examples.
Recently, Falz has gone to the studio to release “Mr Yakubu” in deliberate support of his preferred candidate, whereas KWAM 1 supports his choice in his songs and music.
Similarly, some public speakers and public figures have used their influence to further their heroes’ public image and acceptability.
The current sparring contest between the Nobel Laurette winner, Prof Wole Soyinka and the literature icon Chimamanda Adichie is an aftermath of the last presidential election. It is just a display of worship for their respective political heroes.
THE WAY FORWARD
In conclusion, hero-worshipping is a harmful phenomenon that has plagued Nigerian politics for decades.
It has eroded the democratic values and institutions necessary for Nigeria’s progress and prosperity
It has also stifled the diversity and dynamism vital for Nigeria’s innovation and transformation.
Nigerians should try as much as possible to resist hero-worshipping in politics.
We should also embrace critical thinking and constructive political engagement to hold political leaders accountable for their actions and inactions.
Nigerians, especially the youths, should avoid blind followership and hero-worshipping of their leaders as it contributes to tearing the fabric binding the country together.
We should desist from plunging the country into another civil war.
In whatever we do or say, let patriotism be a guiding principle.
The country must come first before any other thing.
Nigeria will be great again.
Peace!!
Dominic