Within the intricate tapestry of democratic societies, pivotal values, including accountability, responsibility, and unity, serve as linchpins upholding the societal order. Yet, when political leaders opt to make religion their scapegoat for their own inadequacies, they not only subvert these cardinal principles but also pose formidable threats to the bedrock of democracy itself—a foundation that transcends religious affiliations and encompasses the entire citizenry.
The act of attributing political setbacks to religious elements masterfully diverts attention from the substantive issues at hand. Rather than addressing their inherent limitations and heeding the aspirations of their constituents, these leaders, by deflecting culpability toward religious enterprises, engage in a subterfuge that flagrantly contradicts the very tenets of responsible leadership within the democratic framework.
The introduction of religious narratives into the political arena harbors the insidious potential to sow schisms within society, thereby fostering a pernicious polarization and animosity among the diverse religious communities that make up its fabric. The nurturing of unity and the cultivation of tolerance represent pivotal keystones for democratic coexistence. Nevertheless, the introduction of divisive religious rhetoric imperils the fragile tapestry of harmony woven across democratic societies, subsequently posing an imminent peril to the bedrock of trust within the democratic system. Blaming religion, in effect, precipitates a crisis of confidence among citizens, who begin to question the impartiality of elections, ultimately discerning them as biased by religious considerations, rather than objective evaluations of competence.
These deleterious narratives, incongruous with the sacred values of democracy, manifest increasingly among certain governors. These governors, having lost their re-election bids due to ineptitude, were collectively shunned by constituents, both Christian and Muslim, who suffered the tribulations resultant from their governance. Evidently, discerning citizens, driven by shared ordeals, have grown more judicious. It is paramount to underscore that this abdication of responsibility fosters stagnation and impedes progress within democratic societies. Such narratives obfuscate the pressing concerns at hand and dissuade individuals of competence from engaging in the political arena. Genuine leaders focus on resolving concrete challenges, unswayed by the facile lure of religious scapegoating. A responsible leader, in contrast, prioritizes the interests and aspirations of the people, as vividly elucidated by the collective rejection of Governor Sule Abdulahi of the APC in Nasarawa State, in favor of Dr. David Ombugadu of the PDP, a clear indictment of incompetence and a testament to the heightened acumen of the populace.
In the face of such an unequivocal verdict, one would reasonably expect Governor Sule Abdulahi to graciously acknowledge defeat and seek reconciliation with the people. However, he opted for dubious means, leading to allegations of electoral subversion, as substantiated by the electoral tribunal's findings. It is incumbent upon leaders to adhere unwaveringly to facts and figures, eschewing the treacherous path of religious narratives that may inadvertently germinate the seeds of extremist ideologies. Such ideologies, if allowed to take root, can inflict havoc upon society, jeopardize security, and, ultimately, propagate a perilous state of anarchy, a condition detrimental to the welfare of all. True leaders, emulating the example set by Goodluck Jonathan, place the sanctity of human life above transient political victories.
In the democratic landscape, leaders must be held unswervingly accountable for their actions and decisions. To blame religion for political failures, however, not only undermines the bedrock of democratic principles but also cultivates an atmosphere characterized by tension, division, and mistrust. The propagation of such narratives, far from advancing the democratic process, exerts a deleterious influence upon the collective well-being and progress of society. It is paramount that a responsible political leader, regardless of their religious affiliations, relentlessly should prioritize responsible governance, unity, and accountability to solidify the very foundations of democracy and people should have it at the back of their mind that Hunger, poverty, and neglect on the streets of Nasarawa State or any state recognize no religious distinctions, and an enlightened populace is no longer susceptible to divisive machinations of these scavengers in power.
Goldswealth Observation
