“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act,” George Orwell famously remarked. In China Okadigbo’s words, “If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education and exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, you are a liability.” These insights highlight the growing tension between objective reality and the modern urge to sanitize language and thoughts to fit specific agendas. Today, let’s reflect on the corrosive impact of replacing absolute truth with the malleable standard of political correctness.
Do you know that lately truth has become so scarce because of the pervasive focus on being politically correct rather than being factually accurate? Compared to the principled leaders of old who stood by their convictions at great personal cost, what we largely witness today are individuals whose views and interpretations of events are strictly dictated by their political affiliations. There appears to be an unexplained, yet calculated determination by the political class to avoid offending certain powerful elements, leading to a culture where silence is maintained or views are calibrated to align perfectly with what those elements expect to hear. This phenomenon is particularly evident when a leader or commentator changes political camps; suddenly, what they vehemently condemned as a moral or leadership failure yesterday is explained away today as a necessary strategy. In the Nigerian context, this trend is devastating, as many elected representatives watch in silence while their constituents suffer, fearing that speaking the truth would label them as “politically incorrect” or disloyal to the party machinery. This subjectivity means that truth has become marginalized and partisan, leaving the nation without a sincere baseline for assessing public issues or achieving genuine integrity.
So, enhance your capacity to see beyond the veil of partisan rhetoric and demand a return to sincerity in our national discourse. It is time to rise above the seductive trap of political sentiments and confront the actual ills plaguing the nation with unvarnished honesty, regardless of whose interests are at stake. This requires a conscious effort to call out bad leadership and demand accountability irrespective of your own political or ethnic leanings, recognizing that the “truth” should not change simply because the actor involved shares your background.
We must intentionally cultivate an environment where merit and facts outweigh the desire to remain “in the good books” of political benefactors or ethnic champions. When we prioritize political correctness over the reality of insecurity, economic hardship, and systemic corruption, we essentially agree to live a lie that eventually erodes the very foundation of our society. By choosing to speak the truth even when it is unpopular, you help create a ripple effect that forces the political class to reconsider their strategies of evasion. It is through this collective insistence on objective reality that we can begin to build a society where integrity is the standard and the common good is no longer sacrificed on the altar of political convenience.
As you step out each day, carry the firm conviction that the consequences of ill governance recognize no political, religious, or ethnic boundaries. History will not judge us by how well we adhered to the fleeting trends of political correctness, but by our courage to uphold the truth even at challenging times. Let your commitment to honesty be the compass that guides your actions and preserves the future of the nation for generations to come.
Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a registered chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
