THE NEW FACE OF POLITICAL SYCHOPHANCY:
By IBE CLIFF
In the turbulent landscape of Nigerian politics, a new breed of sycophants has emerged, their voices amplified by social media platforms and traditional media alike. Among these figures, prominent names such as Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala, Bayo Onanuga, and their cohorts have unabashedly embraced divisive rhetoric, shamelessly attacking opponents, betraying allegiances, and engaging in opportunistic alliances—all in pursuit of personal gain and relevance.
The saga begins with the 2023 general elections, a pivotal moment in Nigerian democracy marred by heightened tensions, polarizing campaigns, and allegations of misconduct. Throughout this period, the trio of Omokri, Bwala, Onanuga, and their associates distinguished themselves not through statesmanship or constructive dialogue, but through a relentless barrage of vitriol and propaganda.
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, positioned himself as a vocal critic of the ruling party, often resorting to incendiary language and baseless accusations to undermine his adversaries. His attacks on Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, were particularly vicious, stooping to childish insults and character assassination rather than engaging in substantive debate.
Similarly, Daniel Bwala, a self-styled political commentator, emerged as a fervent advocate for his preferred candidates, employing crude tactics to vilify opponents and manipulate public opinion. His contributions to the political discourse were marked by a lack of nuance and intellectual integrity, relying instead on sensationalism and fear mongering to sway voters.
Bayo Onanuga, a veteran journalist and media entrepreneur, lent his voice to the cacophony of partisan noise, using his platform to amplify divisive narratives and sow seeds of discord. Despite his professional background, Onanuga chose to prioritize sensationalism over journalistic integrity, blurring the lines between news and propaganda in service of his political agenda.
Collectively, this gang of political sycophants orchestrated a campaign of misinformation and character assassination, poisoning the public discourse and eroding trust in democratic institutions. Their actions not only undermined the integrity of the electoral process but also contributed to the fracturing of Nigerian society along ethnic and ideological lines.
However, their transgressions did not end with the conclusion of the 2023 elections. In a stunning display of disloyalty and opportunism, Omokri, Bwala, and their ilk betrayed their erstwhile ally, Atiku Abubakar, following his defeat at the polls. Instead of accepting the outcome with grace and dignity, they resorted to backstabbing and infighting, vying for scraps of influence and patronage from the highest bidder.
In a particularly egregious display of moral bankruptcy, these political scavengers turned to Bola Tinubu, a controversial figure in Nigerian politics, in a desperate bid for relevance. Despite his checkered past and polarizing reputation, they shamelessly aligned themselves with Tinubu, hoping to curry favour and secure their positions in the ever-shifting landscape of Nigerian politics. Recently, in a desperate haste to disparage Peter Obi and the entire Igbo race, and please Tinubu, his new master, Daniel Bwala slavishly intoned that the majority of the over 6million voters that voted for Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections are Biafran agitators and secessionists, and his masters hooted. Imagine someone also referring to those who voted for Tinubu as motor park agberos and Odua Nation agitators, and voters of Atiku as Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists and Arewa nation Agitators? You can see what stomach infrastructure has turned Bwala to.
In summary, the rise of Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala, Bayo Onanuga, and their gang represents a troubling trend in Nigerian politics—a wave of sycophancy and divisiveness that threatens to undermine the foundations of democracy and exacerbate social tensions. Unless confronted and condemned, these opportunistic charlatans will continue to exploit the vulnerabilities of the political system for their own selfish ends, leaving a trail of chaos and disillusionment in their wake.
Amb. IBE CLIFF is a Knowledge Entrepreneur, Media Strategist and Publisher of AFRICAN FREE PRESS.