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Without controversy, the middle-class has the potential to fitly bind the higher and the lower classes into a well-organized society based on truth. It is known that governments everywhere have the instruments and oath of telling lies. It is therefore, imperative that the middle-class should as a matter of urgency assume the role of sharing difficult truths in a gentle, kind and inoffensive manner in the fear of God at all times and in all circumstances
Not many Nigerians today are encouraged that some segments of the middle class have become albatross instead of moral forces in the affairs of Nigeria. In dealing with issues that affect us as a country, thoughtful and insightful positions ought to be the norm. But instead, issues are often caught up in the endless and so-called religious and cultural wars. This is not the situation in sane societies where the middle-class is the mainstream in terms of education and understanding of political, economic, social and other issues. In those societies, the middle-class represents the ‘buffer zone’ for the confrontation between the upper and the lower classes. This results in the middle-class in those societies being an influential and beneficial element in society with discernible roles. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Nigeria where the middle-class, on account of greed and lack of esteem, is tossed here and there as a wave of the sea, thus lacking the ability to be the stabilizer of society.
The reason for this scenario is not far fetched. There has been the willingness and readiness of some elements in the middle class to be used as tools of ‘mass destruction’ of the national structures and resources by political parties in Nigeria. These self-seeking elements corrupt those in leadership by flattering speeches; crafty and greedy measures aimed at crude accumulation of wealth. It is unfortunate that the so-called political parties in Nigeria are formed not on the basis of ideology but by what Lande (1965) called “particularistic distribution of spoils through dyadic relations in accordance with each individual’s contribution to election victory.” It is not surprising, therefore, that participation in the activities in this country by a critical mass of the ‘no head for enviable height’ elements in the middle-class has been to the detriment of the masses. This situation has reached a crescendo such that even the civil service (which ought to be apolitical) has been incorporated into the patron-client relation through the penetration of the spoils of office. It is no longer secret that any voice dissenting the status-quo is crushed in the rudest manner by the patron-client driven networks without positive net-worth in favour of society. What a tragedy that these elements have become instruments of cruelty and adders in the path of progress!
There is no indication that the demented elements in the middle-class are ready to depart from their iniquitous life style. However, there are still some credible Nigerians who desire the best of every good thing for Nigerians now and in the future. These credible Nigerians are calling for restructuring of the country, erasing the age-long distrust among the various tribes, among others. These initiatives are laudable and to achieve them, there is a condition precedent. As a nation, we realize that the middle class has sullied itself by sordid examples in public and private dealings. Consequently, the time has become auspicious to define a distinct, credible and predictable role for the class.
Without controversy, the middle-class has the potential to fitly bind the higher and the lower classes into a well-organized society based on truth. It is known that governments everywhere have the instruments and oath of telling lies. It is therefore, imperative that the middle-class should as a matter of urgency assume the role of sharing difficult truths in a gentle, kind and inoffensive manner in the fear of God at all times and in all circumstances. Truth shared in love and fear of God is the root and principle of all religions and beliefs. Truth is eternal and cannot be subject to any weapon of mass destruction. The more truths we share, the better for each and every one. It is, therefore, instructive that until the middle-class ‘bells the cat’ of telling the truth, there is no narrative that will mitigate the moral drought we are into. The killings in every part of Nigeria can’t be stopped without truth being told in love and fear of God. The age-long distrust among the various ethnic groups cannot be erased without the truth being told in humility.
In allowing truth to lie buried in Nigeria, the demented elements in the middle class do not fear God.These elements have become too blind to the haste with which events are hurrying on. Terrorism, kidnapping, arson, robbery, alleged cases of under-aged voting among others are rocketing across the country and leaving trails of sufferings behind. Truth can be used to stop the youths from eating ‘bread of wickedness’ and drinking the ‘wine of violence’. Truth told appropriately, will help us adhere to instructions and preserve our heritage because ‘truth’ is life. Truth is what enables a people to rise above conflicts that plague them daily and not ‘State Police.’ Imagine a rising tide of absolute truth sweeping across the country today! What would be the effect? Except we want to remain wise in self-conceit, let the middle-class seek first the truth and the herdsmen will lay down their arms and all other vices that daily confront us would disappear from our midst. Truth is potent and free of financial or any other costs. No loan is required to be obtained to tell the truth. Truth is truth and does not become obsolete. No replacement is required. It stands the test of time. I sincerely recommend it.
