Say what you want, but there is something deeply unsettling about the crop of young, rich Nigerian men who orbit the corridors of power. Many of them are so utterly spineless that it disgusts me. I often wonder if they are weighed down by their own dirty secrets or simply content playing the role of vassals to our aging political overlords.
What exactly are they doing with all that financial clout? Is their rise so dependent on political patronage that they must assume a slavish posture whenever they’re in the company of politicians? I once saw a young man, popular in political discourse here on Twitter at an elite gathering pouring drinks like a glorified bartender for the “Ogas.”
All that political knowledge, all that influence, reduced to pouring Hennessy at parties? Is that the pinnacle of political engagement now?
As a Yoruba man, I understand cultural deference to elders. It’s in our ethos. But this Cubana guy is Igbo, a people known for their egalitarian outlook and individual pride. So why the servile behavior? Why the self-erasure?
And you can’t help but notice how these so-called popular rich guys rarely take a principled stand on issues that matter. They’re the first to say “Yes, sir” to every oppressive government policy targeting young people, be it currency mutilation policies, business shutdowns, or social crackdowns. You’ll never see them mount any serious legal resistance or speak out with conviction. They seem allergic to courage.
What’s even more ironic is that many of them loudly claim affiliation with cult groups, confraternities supposedly built on revolutionary principles. But the only time they remember to act tough is when they’re beefing entertainers or engaging in petty turf wars. Burna Boy said something, and they’re ready to tear their shirts. But when real power threatens their livelihood or freedoms? They melt like wax.
I recently had an informal encounter with a Deputy Governor. I greeted him with respect, but my handshake was firm. No bowing, no groveling. I maintain the same energy with Generals and just about anybody. Respectful, but never subservient. And I stood my ground, because respect, in the real world, is not given to sycophants. They may smile at you when you grovel. They may even toss you a few crumbs. But deep down, they don’t respect you. Nobody respects a groupie.
How can you ever hope to compete for power with these men if you constantly act like their errand boy? This culture of groveling is why our political system continues to churn out spineless youths, people who should be bringing fresh energy and radical ideas into politics, but instead become clones of the very people they should be replacing.
This is in no way a call for arrogance or disrespect. Humility is a virtue. All the great men I’ve met in my life, I approached with honor, but never at the cost of my pride or dignity. There’s a line between humility and servitude and too many of our young elites have crossed that line and this is the problem.
This post is from a suspended account.