INTRODUCTION

The concept of personality is multi-disciplinary and cuts across different facets of

life. Its length and breadth dovetail and galvanize the position of man who is

invariably seen as the epicenter of development. A cult of personality or cult of

leader according to Wikipedia “arises when a country’s regime or an individual

uses the techniques of mass media, propaganda, the big lie, spectacle, the arts,

patriotism, and government-organized demonstration and rallies to create an

idealized, heroic, and worshipful image of a leader, often through unquestioning

flattery and praise.” The personages of personality cult are men who distinguished

themselves among their contemporaries. They are sacred and valued. According to

Metuh (1987:189) “man in African thought, presents itself as a cell, wrapping into

one unit a number of life-forces all revolving around one nucleus-the self, the real

man, which gives the whole complex both its name and direction.”

From pre-colonial, post-colonial albeit modern era, the personality cult wield

enormous religio-political prowess in re-engineering the society. The future of

Africa is solely dependant on her past heroes hence without a proper review of the

past events, one hardly deciphers the efficiency/efficacy of the present. This

accentuates Igbo aphorism that says thus adia ara isi aka agba urum. The essence

of this is to know and harmonise valuable qualities/traits inherent in the past to the

present situation in life.

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In the pre-colonial Africa society, certain qualities were looked out for before

deification. Bravery remains a salient quality that gains one a god-man position.

The recent post-humous and honourary recognition bestowed the acclaimed winner

of June 12, 1993 general election in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief M.K.O.

Abiola, is a litmus test of the proceeding affirmation. Consequent upon, the current

Nigerian government has embarked on a political hygiene pierced through the lens

of African Traditional Religion which underscores the fact that high moral values

must be maintained. According to Kress (1966) “political hygiene is a process by

which politics as an activity is kept clean.”

What is Personal Rule?

Personal rules, are standards and guidelines that you use to improve the quality of

your life and enjoy higher levels of happiness and fulfillment. For example, a

personal rules such as, “I will not do hard drugs”, might seem to take some of the

fun out of partying and going out with friends. They have high self-control, they

display moral behavior, respect those in authority and see themselves as dilligent

and persevering. In the workplace, they are strict followers of manners, rules and

principles.

Personal rules are not arbitrary or irrelevant. They are hyper-specific personal

boundaries that help you live your best life.

African personality is essentially dynamic, capable of self-realization in different

ways, in personal and collective behaviour, in national and international affairs.

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While the modern African is yet to be the author of his history and the main

controller of his destiny, the struggle for full liberation is on.

Cult of Personality in Africa

A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader, is the result of an effort which is made

to create an idealized and heroic image of a leader by a government, often through

unquestioning flattery and praise. Historically, it has developed through techniques

of mass media, propaganda, fake news, spectacle, the arts, patriotism,

and government-organized demonstrations and rallies. A cult of personality is

similar to apotheosis, except that it is established by modern social engineering

techniques, usually by the state or the party in one-party states and dominant-party

states. A cult of personality often accompanies the leader of

a totalitarian or authoritarian countries. It can also be seen in

some monarchies, theocracies, and failed democracies.

In every part of our continent Africa, there is this cult of personality we see among

the highest office holders. These leaders who are mainly men override projects or

ideas of their countries or societies. We have called these men political masters,

fathers of nations and even fathers of the citizens. Africa is not only experiencing

this cult because men like Adolf Hitler of Germany, Mao Zedong of China, Kim Il-

Sung of North Korea, or Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania had this personality.

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The cult of personality simply hands over excessive hero worship to leaders of

some countries in Africa rather than the country through propaganda in events and

the media. Countries that practice this cult are dictatorial and make these men

omnipresent.

Some years ago, many countries made use of this cult as a model for governing

their countries. Today, we still have the cult of personality in some parts of the

continent.  Some examples of these leaders include President Mobutu Sese Seko of

Congo, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Bokassa a.k.a the Emperor of

Central Africa and the Burkinabe Blaise Compaore.

A careful observation in the governance of most presidential system of government

shows traces of the cult of the personality. The visible ones include President Paul

Biya of Cameroon and President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi of Egypt.

In Egypt, many of us saw democratic changes embedded in dictatorship in their

shops, toy shops and even pastry cooks, where the image or name of the president

stares boldly at us.  Al-Sissi didn’t spare their places of worship, advertising

abroad and their music industry.

President Paul Biya has made it clear that democracy came to Cameroon because

of him and he is not relenting in proving this.  These two countries are not the only

countries where cult of personality is visible, but there are a few examples of what

this cult is about.

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The question remains: Is cult of personality an outdated system of governance? Do

we have a space for the youths to take over the helm of leadership in Africa? While

the youths are gearing to take the leadership mantle, the older leaders are only

warming up to take over from their age mates.

We have seen massive protests and revolutions happening around the continent-

Thanks to social media that has made change faster than before. However, we may

have to wait a little longer before this cult is eradicated.

The good news is there is hope of changing Africa’s system of leadership. With

democracy having the front seat in the continent, it is easier to make a difference as

a good leader if you have good cabinet and great ideas.

One day, we will look back and laugh over how we fought the cult of personality

in our cities and countries. We believe the time is ripe to bring down this outdated

system of governance. What do you think?  Do you have any idea how you think

this practice can be eliminated?

Conclusion

Conclusively we have studied personality cult, comparatively put together the cult

of ancestors to personality cult of other world. The study discovered that the cult of

personalities practiced in Africa prior to the adoption of modern ideology of

personality cult which taught class system was/is a team of charismatic leaders

who are blessed.