Personality Worship Is Neither Republican Nor Democratic

A troubling trend is creeping into Nigeria’s political culture — one that exalts sycophancy and personality cults over patriotism, public service, and the principles of constitutional democracy, especially in a republic, such as we have.Three recent incidents illustrate this growing tendency to elevate individuals above institutions and personal loyalty above national duty.

The most recent occurred in Edo State, where Governor Monday Okpebholo reportedly directed cabinet appointees attending Executive Council meetings in traditional attire to also wear caps emblazoned with the insignia popularised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Okpebholo’s admiration for the president is well known — and within his democratic rights. But compelling senior government officials to wear the Tinubu cap as a condition for attending meetings where the policies and programmes governing Edo’s five million citizens are discussed clearly crosses the line.

It violates the officials’ freedom of choice and personal dignity. To compel public officers to don political insignia is to strip them of individuality and turn a symbol of service into one of submission.

The irony is even sharper when one recalls that Edo State voted overwhelmingly against President Tinubu in the last general election. To now use public office to enforce symbolic loyalty to the president is not only undemocratic but also deeply disrespectful to the electorate. If the governor believes such symbolism reflects the will of the people, he should put it to a public test – perhaps through a poll or debate – and see how it fares.

Governor Okpebholo is not alone in this creeping cult of personality. The trend first surfaced in the National Assembly when President Tinubu presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to federal lawmakers. On that solemn occasion, rather than observing the national anthem, some lawmakers – encouraged by their leadership – broke into a chant declaring their allegiance to the president’s mandate.

That spectacle was wrong on multiple counts. First, replacing the national anthem with a political chant was a disservice to the nation and an affront to the civic values being taught to millions of young Nigerians. Public officeholders must model respect for the symbols of statehood, not dilute them with partisan enthusiasm.

Second, the lawmakers’ mandate is not derived from the president but from their constituents. Their loyalty, therefore, must be to the Constitution, not to the executive. Third, the National Assembly is a mosaic of political affiliations – PDP, Labour Party, SDP, APGA, NNPP, and others. Reducing that diversity to a partisan chorus was both insensitive and undignified. Once inside the chamber, lawmakers are expected to transcend party lines and act as representatives of the Nigerian people.

An even more troubling manifestation of this pattern occurred at the Presidential Villa. When the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, won their 10th African title earlier this year, the nation rejoiced. It was a moment of unity – proof that teamwork, resilience, and discipline could still deliver national glory. Yet at the celebration in the Villa, the players were made to sing the same Tinubu campaign song instead of the national anthem.

That decision was not just tone-deaf – it was deeply symbolic of a mindset that places the individual above the institution. Sports, particularly football, is one of the few forces that bind Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides. That event should have been used to celebrate national pride and unity, not turned into another stage for political sloganeering.

As a newspaper, we urge Nigerians in public office to resist this dangerous descent into hero worship. Leadership thrives on accountability, not adulation. When state functions become stages for personality cults, governance loses its focus, institutions weaken, and citizens are left poorer — not only economically but also in civic spirit.

We also call on President Tinubu to discourage this growing culture of sycophancy. As the nation’s foremost leader, he bears the moral responsibility to elevate national ethos above personal glorification. Had he reined in lawmakers and aides when this practice first emerged, it is unlikely that Governor Okpebholo or others would have taken it this far.

It is not too late to act. The president must draw a clear line between legitimate political support and undemocratic hero worship.

Personality cults are the enemies of democracy. They breed intolerance, erode institutions, and replace accountability with applause. True leadership flourishes not in echo chambers, but in the open air of critical thought, respect for the rule of law, and devotion to the people – not the person.