The Dearth of Democracy is the Dearth of Patriotism By Wale Kuku

 

The Dearth of Democracy is the Dearth of Patriotism

By Wale Kuku

Democracy is not merely a political system; it is the heartbeat of a nation’s identity. Where democracy thrives, patriotism grows, but where democracy falters, loyalty to the state weakens. The health of one determines the strength of the other.

I believe that today, more than ever, there is a pressing need for patriots to look beyond the thin lines of politics and politicking. Democracy suffers most when patriotism becomes transactional—when people align with the state only for personal benefit. True patriots, by contrast, anchor their loyalty on principle, justice, and the collective good. The dearth of such patriots is now the greatest harm to democracy, for without them, governance loses its moral compass and the people lose their faith in the system.

History provides a sharp mirror. Past patriots—whether political leaders, civil rights activists, or ordinary citizens—displayed traits of sacrifice, courage, and a deep devotion to country above self. They built bridges in times of division and demanded accountability when power strayed. Today, however, these values seem increasingly rare. Too often, personal ambition replaces national service, and short-term gains overshadow long-term progress. The contrast between the resilience of patriots past and the compromises of the present is a reality citizens can no longer ignore.

The present-day Nigerian reality is one where patriotism has grown faint, not because Nigerians do not love their country, but because democracy has failed to reflect that love back. Where elections are compromised and leadership is self-serving, patriotism withers. The ordinary Nigerian still shows loyalty in community, in resilience, and in unending hope for better days, yet this loyalty is rarely matched by the commitment of many in leadership.

Leaders vs The People

The question of patriotism has increasingly become a blame game. Leaders demand loyalty from citizens, urging them to sacrifice, to “believe in the nation,” and to put Nigeria first. Yet, the actions of those leaders too often betray the very ideals they preach. Corruption, impunity, and broken promises erode the moral ground upon which patriotic appeals should stand. Leaders set the tone of governance, and when their tone is self-serving, the people mirror it.

It is therefore no surprise that many Nigerians today say they are not patriotic. They measure their love for country against the example of those who govern them. When leaders loot the commonwealth, sidestep accountability, or manipulate democratic processes, citizens respond with cynicism. Why should the governed give their best to a system that gives them so little in return? The failure of leadership thus infects the wider ecosystem of patriotism, poisoning the trust required for democracy to thrive.

As it stands, a wide range of the population openly admits there is no meaningful difference between leaders past and present in terms of democratic or patriotic disposition. The governed see governance not as a call to service but as a stage for personal enrichment and perpetual politicking. In such a climate, democracy appears hollow, and patriotism becomes difficult to sustain.

If patriotism is the mirror of democracy, then leadership is the hand that polishes or tarnishes that mirror. A patriotic people are the product of patriotic leaders. Until Nigerian leaders embody integrity, selflessness, and accountability, calls for national loyalty will continue to ring hollow. Democracy cannot demand from the people what leadership is unwilling to give.

On this Independence anniversary, therefore, we salute not the hollow rhetoric of politics, but the true patriots—past and present—whose courage, resilience, and sacrifice continue to remind us of the Nigeria that can still be. To them and to the resilient hardworking Nigerians, we say: Happy Independence Day.