2023 Elections: Between Idiots, Tribesmen and Citizens By Ocheni Decency Danladi
POLITICS DIGEST- Sometimes early this year, I read a post and I was marveled due to how the writer succinctly described the three categories of people you can easily see in Africa. That episode explains the political space of Nigeria and Nigerians who are practically involved in politics.
In what should be described as prophecy, the Nigerian popular musician 2face Idibia in one of his music albums has described politicians as only concerned to tell the story of lies when is election period.
According to the writer, “Unless you understand your role in society, you can never make any meaningful contribution”.
According to the Greeks there are three types of people on earth,
– the idiots,
– the tribesmen, and
– the citizens.
Studies show only 10% of Africans are citizens.
The remaining 90% are either tribesmen or idiots. When reflecting this assertion on the situation of Nigeria, you will have enough reasons to agree with the writer.
2. When the Greeks used the word *”idiot”*, they did not use it as a curse word.
Idiots are people who just don’t care.
If they write exams, they will cheat.
If they are in government they will steal. Just like our politicians are currently doing using the politics of conspiracy and propaganda to destabilize and cheat in the election.
An idiot does not care at all, if he eats bananas he throws the peels anywhere instead of putting them in a trash bin.
According to the Greeks, some societies have more idiots than tribesmen and citizens.
3. The next set of people are tribesmen, these are people that look at everything from the point of view of their tribe.
These are people that believe in you only if you are part of their tribe.
It can be terrible to have a tribesman as a leader, he will alienate the rest.
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When the Greeks talk about tribes, it’s not just about ethnicity, they also consider religion as a tribe.
A great percentage of Africans are tribesmen, because they view everything from the point of view of their tribes.
They trust only their tribesmen. The current political quagmire of the country represents the explanation of the Tribesmen as described by the Greek above. Tribesmen has now taken the front page of the political campaign of the PDP and APC in their ways of composition.
4. The last group are citizens.
These are people that like to do things the right way.
They will respect traffic light rules even if no one is watching them.
They drive within speed limits.
They respect the laws, won’t cheat in exams.
In government they won’t steal.
They are compassionate and give to others to promote their wellbeing.
Citizens often promote projects that benefit everyone.
The Greeks called this group the citizens.
Some countries have more citizens than tribesmen and idiots.
Others have so many idiots.
A tribesman can become a citizen through orientation.
And an idiot can become a citizen by training and constant enforcement of the law.
But things fall apart if you elect an idiot or tribesman to lead you if he has not been reformed.
In the next year general elections, many Nigerians are are already made up their minds to vote along Idiots and Tribesmen lines without minding the implications of such decisions on the entire nation. Among numerous parties through their presidential flag bearers jostling for power comes 2023, who do you think has gotten this reform? Are we ready to get citizens as our leaders now?
Where do you belong?
Are you an idiot, a tribesman or a citizen?
Reflect about your life.
Reflect about your country and Africa in general before you reflect also about who you voted and who you are intending to vote come 2023.
Paraphrased
Ocheni Decency Danladi
