The Rise of Intellectual Political Thuggery

 

 

One of the greatest challenges in Osun politics and indeed Nigerian politics is that intelligence is not always used to strengthen democracy. Sometimes, it is used to defend the very practices that weaken it.

Political thuggery is not limited to violence or illiteracy. There is also intellectual political thuggery: the deliberate use of influence, manipulation, misinformation, and character assassination to protect political actors while undermining those who advocate reform. An educated person can become just as dangerous to democratic progress when knowledge is used to silence truth rather than defend it.

For years, I have argued that many young people who should be challenging the system underestimate their own capacity. Instead of building independent voices and institutions, some choose to attach themselves to political actors, believing proximity to power is the same as influence. They see a fellow young person trying to build something meaningful and dismiss the effort because it does not immediately translate into wealth or political patronage.

History, however, teaches a different lesson. Across many developed democracies, younger generations have risen to prominence through strong institutions, ideas, and public service, not merely by defending powerful individuals. Their influence was built on competence and credibility, not blind loyalty.

If politics causes you to sacrifice friendships, destroy another person's reputation, or manipulate public opinion simply to prove loyalty, you may gain temporary recognition within a political camp, but you have not secured your own future. You have merely joined a long convoy whose destination is uncertain.

It is difficult to understand why meaningful reforms such as embracing technology, strengthening institutions, or improving electoral processes are often resisted, even when they could reduce electoral violence, improve governance, and strengthen the economy. After every election, many of those who fought the hardest for political interests still find themselves struggling to secure their own careers.

Perhaps the saddest reality is that we continue to hear about stakeholders' meetings discussing the same unresolved issues every election cycle. The conversations repeat, yet the structural problems remain. This should concern every citizen.

Poverty has become more than an economic condition; it has also weakened critical thinking. When survival becomes the priority, independent judgment is easily traded for temporary benefits. In such an environment, very few people remain untouched by political pressure.

Every four years, we watch some of our brightest minds become consumed by political battles instead of nation-building. When ambition is driven by desperation rather than service, many promising dreams are postponed or abandoned altogether.

A healthy democracy needs courageous citizens who can think independently, disagree respectfully, and place the public interest above personal loyalty. Until we cultivate that culture, our politics will continue to reward noise over ideas and allegiance over integrity.

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