Princewill Odidi|23 March 2016|6:12am
What is political loyalty? Some would define it as being subservient, obedient, making your bosses bids, swearing an oath, doing whatever your boss wants, standing by your master rain or sun, uncompromising faithfulness, or taking the bullet in place of your boss.
In my judgement, none of these actions would qualify as loyalty, because above all, the heart of man is desperately wicked, if a man claims to be loyal because you offered him a job, don't be fooled, his loyalty is tied to the job, terminate his appointment he would call you a fool the next day. Loyalty is material it has no emotional substance.
A fellow who is scared of you can never be loyal to you. The beasts like nature of man will never allow him to be loyal. Loyalty is like a commodity that can be bought or sold.
I read all the news that Gov Wike betrayed the hands that made him. Well, if true, then the hand that made him looked for loyalty the wrong way. Remember, loyalty is material, it bows for the highest bidder. To be a successful politician, do not seek for loyalty and do not confuse sycophancy for loyalty.
This is my advice to godfathers. If loyalty do exist, then a loyal aide is he who can climb to the top without your help, he who can achieve greatness by merit, a loyal aide rebukes the master when he goes wrong, a loyal aide looks out for his boss and makes sure he gives him valuable advice. A loyal aide does not bring down his fellow aide before the master, a loyal aide is more of a friend, a confident and an equal. Be careful of aides who use the phrase “I am loyal sir” they are only green because the grass is green, It is lip service and never from the heart. True loyalty is perceived not spoken.To be a successful leader, Seek respect, don't seek for people to fear you. For every one hundred assumed loyalist, only one or two is a true friend. A good friend is better than a brother.
Princewill Odidi writes from Atlanta