The problem is to not eradicate politics or ethnicity, however to make sure that neither overrides ethical duty, contends GODWIN SOGOLO
Politics, ethnicity and morality are three distinct but interrelated dimensions of human existence. Their interplay usually complicates sensible judgement and accountable citizenship. Politics considerations the acquisition, train and distribution of energy; ethnicity refers to a collective id rooted in shared ancestry, historical past and tradition; whereas morality gives the ideas by which conduct is judged as proper or unsuitable, simply or unjust, and accountable or irresponsible.
=Of course, there are different dimensions of human existence – resembling faith, etiquette and customs – all of which, like politics, are topic to ethical analysis. Through reward or blame, reward or punishment, society encourages accountable behaviour and discourages actions dangerous to the frequent good. This displays the popularity that legal guidelines and establishments alone can not assure social order; mutual belief, shared values and a way of obligation in direction of others are additionally indispensable.
=There is, nevertheless, a faculty of thought which holds that politics must be exempt from ethical scrutiny on account of its sensible realities and peculiar calls for. This place is usually related to the political thinker, Niccolò Machiavelli, whose evaluation of political energy emphasises the realities of governance quite than idealised expectations of how rulers must conduct themselves. The underlying argument is that political leaders should cope with competing pursuits, uncertainty, opposition and the imperatives of nationwide safety: circumstances which will generally require selections that depart from standard ethical expectations.
==However, the distinctive pressures of politics don’t make political conduct proof against ethical judgement. They merely require that such judgement take account of circumstances, penalties and competing obligations. Political expediency could generally justify tough decisions, but it surely can not function a blanket excuse for corruption, deception, oppression or the abuse of energy. Since political selections have an effect on individuals’s lives, liberties, property and welfare, residents should retain the precise to guage their leaders by requirements of justice, integrity and accountability. Otherwise, political necessity turns into a handy justification for just about any wrongdoing.
=The similar distinction applies to ethnicity. Ethnic id is neither inherently virtuous nor morally objectionable. It can present a way of belonging, protect cultural heritage and foster solidarity. The drawback arises when ethnic loyalty is handled as an unquestionable obligation, requiring individuals to defend wrongdoing by members of their group or to mistrust others just because they belong to a distinct neighborhood. Ethnic solidarity needn’t entail ethical blindness, simply as nationwide unity needn’t require the abandonment of cultural id.
=As we strategy the 2027 elections, the problem is to not eradicate politics or ethnicity, however to make sure that neither overrides ethical duty. Nigerians are completely entitled to help candidates from their very own ethnic communities, however ethnic affinity shouldn’t grow to be the overriding criterion for political selection. There is, due to this fact, nothing inherently unsuitable with a Yoruba particular person supporting Bola Tinubu or an Igbo particular person supporting Peter Obi, supplied such help is knowledgeable by real political convictions, thought of judgement and bonafide pursuits, with out compromising the elemental values of honesty, justice, competence and the frequent good. Ethnic id could affect political preferences, but it surely ought to by no means be allowed to substitute for impartial judgement.
=Similarly, opposition to a candidate from one’s personal ethnic group shouldn’t be construed as an act of betrayal or disloyalty. Neither Charles Soludo nor David Umahi must be thought to be an Igbo traitor just because their political positions or decisions differ from these of different members of their ethnic neighborhood. In a democracy, political allegiance is a matter of particular person conviction, not an obligation imposed by ethnic belonging. Indeed, the liberty to disagree with one’s kinsmen, with out being subjected to accusations of disloyalty, is a necessary expression of democratic maturity. Ethnic id doesn’t, in itself, set up advantage, simply as belonging to a different ethnic group doesn’t suggest unworthiness.
=The related questions must be what candidates stand for, the values they uphold, how they’ve carried out themselves in public workplace, what they’ve achieved and what they’re more likely to contribute to the nation. These, quite than the accidents of ethnic ancestry, ought to present the premise for political analysis and selection.
=In judging each other, our guiding ideas have to be consistency, objectivity and an unwavering dedication to the frequent good. We have to be ready to use the identical requirements of judgement to ourselves, our political allies and our opponents, with out permitting ethnic sentiment, private pursuits or political affiliations to compromise our sense of equity.
=Ultimately, no matter our variations in ethnicity, political persuasion or private convictions, we share a standard aspiration: to see Nigeria prosper, grow to be a extra simply and inclusive society, and fulfil its monumental potential. Our collective duty isn’t merely to safe a greater nation for ourselves, but in addition to make sure that we bequeath to generations but unborn a nation that’s extra united, secure, affluent and worthy of their hopes and aspirations.
=The distinction between politics, ethnicity and morality is due to this fact important to accountable citizenship. It doesn’t imply that the three domains should function in isolation. Rather, it means recognising their distinct functions and refusing to confuse political benefit or ethnic solidarity with ethical rightness. The conceptual problem is to protect these distinctions, whereas the sensible problem is to uphold them when political competitors, communal loyalty, historic grievances and private pursuits exert strain on judgement.
The final check of ethical independence isn’t whether or not residents have political loyalties or ethnic attachments, however whether or not they can topic each to vital ethical scrutiny. A society demonstrates larger ethical maturity when individuals can have fun their ethnic identities with out utilizing them to justify injustice; take part in politics with out surrendering their conscience; and condemn wrongdoing with out permitting the id of the offender to find out their judgement.
Clearly, due to this fact, politics, ethnicity and morality needn’t collide. Their interplay turns into conflictual – and even damaging – solely when both political ambition or ethnic allegiance is allowed to override ethical duty.
As Nigeria approaches 2027, we’ve got a chance to exhibit that ethnic pleasure can coexist with nationwide solidarity; political pragmatism with ethical integrity, and democratic competitors with mutual respect. The total check is whether or not we are able to make political decisions that recognise each the variety of our identities and the ethical obligations we share as residents of 1 nation.
Sogolo is an Emeritus Professor who has taught and carried out analysis in Philosophy for over 5 a long time – on the University of Ibadan, Cardiff University of Wales and presently on the National Open University of Nigeria. He additionally served as a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties.
