And by the time those who opt for such a shameful and abhorrent action realise their mistake it will be too late. Too late to know that in their quest for power and domination, they have lost honour, respect and dignity.
Politics in Nigeria is vicious, cutthroat and obnoxious. The inordinate and desperate quest for power often crosses the boundary of reason and propriety. Politicians use whatever they can for leverage and to gain an undue advantage over their opponents. No line is too sacred to cross, no boundary is too important to trespass, as long as such transgressions advance their political objectives and arm them with the tools needed to achieve their political goals. Age-long customs are abused and traditions are desecrated on the altar of politics and power.
The latest in this ingrained disregard for restraint, tact, commonsense, fair-play, altruism and good judgement is the use of masquerade at electioneering and political campaigns. Recently, leading politicians and political parties in the Anambra gubernatorial election slated for next month were seen campaigning with masquerades during their rallies, and the masquerades openly declared their support for them. That is the first time a revered symbol of tradition will be used for purely political activities
Despite the rot and dysfunction that permeates Nigeria today, one key socio-cultural unit that has not lost its essence and has largely remained impervious to the shenanigans of the ruling class is the traditional institutions. While some custodians of these traditions and cultures have succumbed to the perversion of politicians and corrupt elites, a handful have continued to protect the sanctity and sacredness of the throne they occupied.
Be that as it may, this sickening disrespect for our age-long and enduring symbol of traditional institutions is happening because many of the traditional leaders and monarchs owe their position to unscrupulous and avaricious politicians who see the traditional institutions and their leaders as a means to an end. Many of our monarchs did not go through the holy spiritual ceremonies and rites of passage that fortify them for the traditional stool. They owe their position to the impunity and lawlessness of the ruling class.
The Onitsha Traditional Council, otherwise known as “Ime Obi Onicha”, did not hold back in voicing its revulsion at the use of masquerades for political purposes, including campaigns. It described the act as a blatant disregard for the revered traditions and customs of the people of Onitsha. The condemnation of the inappropriate and repulsive acts by the politicians reaffirms one belief in the traditional institutions and goes to show that some traditional rulers are not beholden to the political class and will stand against anything that threatens the preservation of the highly revered customs and culture.
As much as it is difficult to teach an old dog a new trick, our politicians will have to do better in their quest to gain power. They have to show class. They have to display tact, sound judgment and moral clarity in their deeds and actions. A conscious and deliberate belittling and degrading of traditions, like masquerades which are regarded as sacred embodiments of the ancestors and play a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of the people, is an affront to the people and the society.
Mixing respected and revered traditions and customs with dirty politicking may work for a while and help achieve the political objectives of those who choose to go down such a road but the long-term effect is destructive. And by the time those who opt for such a shameful and abhorrent action realise their mistake it will have been too late. Too late to realise that in their quest for power and domination, they have lost honour, respect and dignity.
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