-
Friendship Of Unequals In Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics Vis-a-vis Godfatherism In Nigerian Politics
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
-
-
Likewise, the school of Hegesias
holds the same notion that friendship is nothing except for selfish
motives of those who engage in it. This motive may as a matter of fact
involve selfishness of purpose. Thus, Theodorus opined that there is
non-existence of friendship because of its inanity to both the wise and
the unwise.[11]This particular view is because of the utility and
pleasure types of friendship where the bond of the love is dissolved as
soon as their needs disappear.
However, in the Nichomachean Ethics,
Aristotle on friendship gave a necessary and profound response to the
above views of these philosophers by outlining the difference between
the inferior and superior or perfect friendship.[12] The friendship of
utility and pleasure for him are for self-interest of those who engage
in it but that of good or perfect is for those who do not consider their
self-interest. While that of the utility and pleasure which dissolve
with the disappearance of what is profitable is selfish, that of the
good or perfect subsists and is not selfish.
In the Roman antiquity,
it shows how the friends of Tarquinus notably Titus, Tiberius, Marcus,
Manius and Lucius worked secretly and anxiously to restore him to power
when the people rejected and banished him.[13]They considered their
interest not that of the public. This is synonymous with the activities
of the godfather and godson who choose the option to betray the state.
In
the modern era, Francis Bacon, following the opposite view of the
thinkers in the Roman antiquity, maintained that friendship is
worthwhile and that there are certain dividends that those who engage in
friendship relation should get from being friends.
In the same view,
Kant was with the opinion that friends should confide in each other and
that friendship is what everyone seeks to deserve.[14] R.W. Emerson
followed Kant by hitting the nail at the head when he said that man
finds whom he can relate with benevolently.[15]In this, there is no
measure in reciprocating love or affections as the case may be.
Our
discourse on friendship points to the fact that the love between the
godfather and the godson is detrimental to the people because when there
is no proportionate return of their contract then there will be war. As
in the friendship of Tarquinus and his other friends who did not
consider the good of the state but theirs first, so is it in the case
of the godfathers and godsons as we are experiencing in the present
dispensation in Nigerian politics. Thus, the state must suffer
under-development. Thus S.M Togbolo speaks,
Governor Mbadinuju made
the people of AnambraState to experience demonstration of craze instead
of democracy. The education system was a mess, social life and basic
amenities were not met for the people of the state.[16]
To this,
Elizabeth Telfer, argues that friendship though being particular to the
friends should be for the general welfare.[17]So, this shows that
godfatherism is harmful both to the citizens and to the development of
the particular state.
As a matter of fact, one can say that
benevolence which is an important quality in friendship is also the root
of godfatherism when understood and applied wrongly. Benevolence being
the root of godfatherism in politics cannot be done ex gratia but always
with the intention of getting something greater in return. In the
effort of Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze to trace the origin of godfatherism, he
says,
The concept of “Godfatherism†has its origin in Christainity.
Godparents are chosen as surrogates to help biological [or adopted]
parents raise a Christian child to become a God-fearing, law-abiding
adult.[18]
In this line, Eddy Odivwri adopted the same idea of
godfatherism originating from Christianity. In his effort to trace its
origin said that it is as old as humanity itself. Then, it was a sort of
being applied selflessly which was seen as a positive practice that
benefits the godson and advances the society.[19] Today, godfatherism is
another ballgame. The godfather of today becomes the beneficiary and
gives favour only if it will advance his selfish interest and ideology.
The
godfather sees the benevolence he renders to the upstart as a business
venture where the upstart cannot walk outside the rules laid down by
him.
Let us now see how party politics gave birth to political godfatherism in Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
Page 3 of 5
-
