When Brigadier – General Godwin Alabi-Isama wrote the epic work on Nigeria – Biafran war titled ‘The Tragedy of Victory…… with pictorial evidence of what General Obasanjo did not do but claimed he did in order corner some accolades for himself, little did he know that politicians with false pedigree will descend on Nigeria to rape the citizens with barefaced falsehood to hoodwink them. Brigadier Godwin probably believed just like any other person that victory should be sweet but to his chagrin, the Nigerian victory in 1970 has become a tragedy of sort that no one is willing or able to reverse it.
In like manner, if victory is sweet then loyalty to a boss should be sweetly rewarding. Sadly and before our very eyes, victory and loyalty begets tragedy in mountainous proportions. Just as Nigeria won a decisive battle to remain united, the country is now more divided than ever before. In like manner, Benjamin Kalu’s apprenticeship and loyalty for 21 years to his boss have become a tragedy for him; have become years of the locust for him. But the question is should it be this way? The sweetness of victory should be savoured just as loyalty should be rewarded. Why has it been difficult to reward Ben Kalu ‘s loyalty. Under the 2019 electoral dispensation, Benjamin Kalu suffered in too many ways than one to get a well deserved ticket to contest for the election but in 2023, and under a man – High Chief Ikechi Emenike, severely demonized by the old brigade, deservedly picked his ticket at no extra cost.
Loyalty is an admirable trait that has been praised throughout history. It is a form of devotion and allegiance towards a person, cause or organization. Loyalty is often seen as a defining characteristic of a person’s character and identity. When loyalty is given, it is expected to be reciprocated in return.
However, loyalty can also lead to tragic consequences. The tragedy of loyalty occurs when a person’s devotion to a cause or individual leads to unfortunate outcomes. It can be seen in various forms in literature, such as William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” where Brutus’ loyalty to Rome ultimately leads to his downfall.
The tragedy of loyalty can manifest itself in multiple ways. In some instances, it can lead to the betrayal of one’s values and beliefs. For example, a police officer who is loyal to their corrupt superior may ignore their duty to uphold the law, leading to unjust and immoral actions.
In other cases, loyalty can place an individual in a dangerous situation. Soldiers are expected to be loyal to their country and follow orders even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way. This type of blind loyalty can result in traumatic experiences that can haunt a person’s life.
Moreover, the tragedy of loyalty can occur when one’s loyalty is misplaced. This happens when a person puts his trust in the wrong people or causes. For instance, an employee who is loyal to their company despite its unethical practices may end up losing their job, reputation or even face legal consequences.
Lastly, loyalty can also lead to the destruction of relationships. In a friendship or romantic relationship, excessive loyalty towards one’s partner can result in toxic and controlling behavior. It can also lead to self-sacrifice and loss of self-identity.
It is easy to see where Benjamin Kalu fits into this narrative. He has been fiercely loyal to his boss and campaigned very ferociously for him in this last elections, fought for APC in Abia state and Bende to the admiration of friends and foes alike but his persecution especially in the ongoing and sustained evil campaign to de-market him smacks of folly, envy, jealousy and desperation. No matter the campaign of calumny against Ben Kalu for desiring to be speaker of the House of representatives in the 10th Assembly by folks that ought to protect and defend him will naturally come to nought. A child of Grace cannot easily be destroyed; only God has the final say in their lives.
I must say in conclusion that loyalty is a double-edged sword that can bring both blessings and tragedies. While it is a commendable trait, it is important to maintain a balance and be aware of the consequences of being too loyal. Do I categorize Benjamin Kalu’s loyalty as being blind? Maybe yes, maybe no but blind loyalty can lead to the betrayal of one’s values and beliefs or result in a dangerous situation. Misplaced loyalty can also lead to unfortunate outcomes. Ben Kalu ‘s loyalty maybe misplaced but It is imperative to be loyal to the right people and causes that align with one’s morals and values.
