The Unspoken Code: When Political Loyalty Becomes a Currency of Betrayal

 

In the intricate and often volatile landscape of Nigerian politics, a disturbing trend has taken root, one that is as ethically bankrupt as it is unpatriotic. It is the spectacle of a political appointee, someone who was brought into the limelight, given a platform, and paid a salary by a government, turning around to publicly malign the very administration that elevated them. This act of political betrayal, driven by the lure of a new "paymaster," is not just absurd; it is a corrosive force that undermines the very fabric of our political system and moral values.

This phenomenon is a stark reflection of the transactional nature of our politics, where loyalty is not a matter of shared vision or principle, but a commodity to be bought and sold. The individuals in question, having benefited immensely from the goodwill and patronage of one administration, sees no moral contradiction in becoming the chief critic of their incumbent (former; because they now have another paymaster) benefactors.

Their newfound voice is not a product of a sudden awakening to a higher truth, but a calculated move to secure a new position or a better deal from a different political camp. The argument often made is that these individuals are now "speaking the truth" and "exposing the government's weaknesses." 

While accountability and transparency are crucial for any democracy, the motivation behind such revelations must be critically examined. When the same individuals who were cheerleaders for the government now becomes its most vocal detractors, it begs the question: were they complicit in the "weaknesses" they now condemn? Did they turn a blind eye to these issues while they were benefiting from the system, only to find their voice when their interests aligned with a new faction? 

You know the most annoying part? They do not have the courage and the ball to resign their appointments in same administration they are condemning. 

This act is nothing but a profound betrayal of trust, not just to the government, but to the public. It sends a dangerous message that political service is merely a means to an end, a stepping stone to a more lucrative opportunity. It devalues the concept of public service and replaces it with a cynical, self-serving opportunism. It portrays our politicians as mercenaries, ready to switch allegiances at a moment's notice for personal gain, with no regard for the consistency, integrity, or the public good.

Such behavior also erodes public faith in the political class as a whole. It confirms the long-held suspicion that many of our leaders are not driven by a genuine desire to serve the people, but by a relentless pursuit of power and wealth. It makes a mockery of the democratic process, turning it into a game of musical chairs where the prize is not the privilege of leadership but the spoils of office.

For a nation aspiring to build a stable and prosperous democracy, this trend is a poison. It normalizes deceit and encourages a culture of "any means necessary" to get ahead. It teaches the next generation of leaders that principles are negotiable and that loyalty is a flimsy concept. We must kick against this act with every fiber of our being. We must demand a higher standard of our leaders and political appointees.

True patriotism and a commitment to public service require a different kind of character, one that is guided by integrity, not by opportunism. It requires individuals who are willing to stand by their convictions, even when it is not politically expedient. While no one should be silent in the face of injustice, a critical and constructive voice from within a system is far more valuable than a public spectacle of betrayal after the fact. The latter only serves to expose the moral vacuum at the heart of our political culture. It is time for a new kind of politics, one where loyalty is earned through principle and service is a sacred trust, not a temporary currency.

Aroboto Rasheed 

Ado Odo Ward 2

SA  Sports Development to the Ogun State Governor.