AS THE year 2026 unfolds with its bouquet of expectations, it is only proper to embark on a journey of introspection with the words of the great Greek philosopher, Socrates, and I quote: “An unexamined life is not worth living”.
In the light of this all-time tested maxim, our morals are questionable as a people in our political conversations. Morals refer to the principles of right and wrong behaviours. Morals encompass the standard conduct that guide individuals and societies in determining what is good, honest and just.
Also, as we profess the Christian faith, morality finds roots in the social teachings of the Universal Church with the honest intent to guide interaction with humans, flora and fauna against abuse. It provides a moral framework for society, emphasising human dignity and the common good with the themes in broad perspective as; life and dignity of the human, call to family, community and participation, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor and vulnerable, the dignity of work and rights of workers and finally solidarity and care for God’s creation which is stewardship.
The political gladiators have saturated the clime with strands of unacceptable verbal expressions which negates any form of candour, solidarity and forthrightness. Brazen display of manners characteristic of street urchins and scarecrows must be resisted by all men and women of goodwill. Elegance in language use and comportment desecrated on the podium of political engagements.
These social teachings of the Universal Church are not cast in stone as it develops in dialogue with changing social realities. Each person is created in the image and likeness of God and endowed with freedom and responsibility.
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In 2025, these puritan ideals designed to shape sane conversations took flight giving ample space to uncouth, coarse and vulgar interactions akin to the modus operandi of gangsterism.
Gangsterism is in complete contrast to morals as a compass to encourage acceptable behaviours while gangsterism is the behaviour, tactic and culture of organised criminal groups which often times find expression in political arena.
In retrospect our political class have defiled the tenets of morality and ridiculed the social teachings of the Church as they fan into flame the embers of gangsterism in their outings and betray the prefix of ‘Honourable’, ‘Excellency’, ‘Distinguished’ and ‘Illustrious’ against their names.
The political gladiators have saturated the clime with strands of unacceptable verbal expressions which negates any form of candour, solidarity and forthrightness. Brazen display of manners characteristic of street urchins and scarecrows must be resisted by all men and women of goodwill. Elegance in language use and comportment desecrated on the podium of political engagements.
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The clarion call is for every citizen with good conscience to rise above the observance of table manners and adorn the cloak of activists like Yusufu Bala Usman, Patrick Wilmot, Claude Ake and Eskor Toyo with the potent venom to cleanse our political class of their polluted demeanour.
In conclusion we must resolve as a people to distance ourselves from political personalities that will refuse this baptism and usher the exit channel come the elections.
Mr Tiav, a broadcast journalist and public affairs commentator, writes from Makurdi, Benue State capital.
