Opinion

Upholding The African Tradition Of Honesty In Leadership: Why Lying Is A Sin Against Society

BY Steve Biko Wafula · April 1, 2023 10:04 am

KEY POINTS

A lying king is worse than a stealing thief." This proverb highlights the severity of the offense and emphasizes that the harm caused by a leader who lies is even greater than that caused by a thief.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Leaders who lie without shame are like wolves in sheep's clothing, disguising their true intentions for their gain.

When leaders lie to their citizens without shame, they not only undermine their credibility but also damage the reputation of their entire country.

In many African societies, lying is considered an abomination, a grievous offense that undermines the very fabric of society. This is because lying breaks the bond of trust between individuals and the community, and creates a culture of deceit that can lead to chaos and destruction.

As the Igbo proverb goes, “A lying king is worse than a stealing thief.” This proverb highlights the severity of the offense and emphasizes that the harm caused by a leader who lies is even greater than that caused by a thief.

African proverbs also stress the importance of truth and honesty in leadership. The Yoruba proverb, “Truth is the cornerstone of all virtues,” highlights the central role that truthfulness plays in building a just and harmonious society. A leader who lies to their followers is not only betraying the trust of the people they serve but is also undermining the very foundation of their authority. This is echoed in the Swahili proverb, “A leader who lies is like a blind man leading the blind,” which highlights the danger of following a leader who lacks integrity.

Furthermore, African proverbs emphasize the long-term consequences of lying in leadership. The Akan proverb, “The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks,” underscores the importance of truthfulness in maintaining a stable and prosperous society. A leader who lies to their followers may achieve short-term gains, but in the long run, their lack of integrity will lead to the erosion of trust and the collapse of their authority. As the proverb goes, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” Ultimately, a leader who lies to their followers is setting their community on a path toward ruin and destruction.

Lying is immoral, evil & repugnant:

Leaders who lie without shame are like anchors that weigh down the ship of progress and integrity.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame ultimately fail themselves and their country.

When leaders lie without shame, they diminish the moral authority of their office and harm the fabric of democracy.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame create an environment of distrust and suspicion and erode the very foundations of society.

Leaders who lie without shame are like wolves in sheep’s clothing, disguising their true intentions for their gain.

When leaders lie to their citizens without shame, they not only undermine their credibility but also damage the reputation of their entire country.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame are like cancer that spreads and destroys everything in its path.

Leaders who lie without shame sacrifice the long-term well-being of their country for short-term personal gain.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame betray the public trust and undermine the fundamental principles of democracy.

When leaders lie without shame, they create a culture of deception that can be difficult to overcome for generations.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame create a toxic environment where the truth becomes a scarce resource.

Leaders who lie without shame risk being exposed to the light of truth and transparency.

When leaders lie to their citizens without shame, they demonstrate a complete lack of respect for the people they were elected to serve.

Leaders who lie without shame trade their integrity for power and prestige, and in doing so, sacrifice their souls.

When leaders lie to their citizens without shame, they put their interests above those of the people, and betray the public trust.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame undermine the rule of law and erode the legitimacy of their authority.

Leaders who lie without shame risk becoming a footnote in history remembered only for their dishonesty and betrayal.

When leaders lie to their citizens without shame, they demonstrate a profound lack of moral courage and ethical leadership.

Leaders who lie to their citizens without shame sow the seeds of division and distrust and create a society fraught with conflict and chaos.

Leaders who lie without shame may achieve short-term gains, but in the end, they will pay the price for their lack of integrity and honor.

As an emerging leader of a country in turmoil with truth and democracy,, I know firsthand the weight of responsibility that comes with holding public office. It is a privilege to serve the people, and it demands the highest level of integrity and honesty. When a leader lies to their people, they commit the highest form of crime against their society. It is a betrayal of trust, a violation of the social contract between the leader and the people, and a crime that must be punished accordingly.

Leaders who lie to their people undermine the very foundation of democracy and the rule of law. They abuse their power and place their interests above the welfare of the people they are meant to serve. Such leaders create a culture of corruption, mistrust, and impunity, which can lead to chaos and even violence. This is why I believe that leaders who lie to their people deserve capital punishment. Their actions have consequences that can reverberate for generations, and they must be held accountable for their crimes.

In conclusion, the role of a leader is to inspire, guide and protect their people. Lying undermines these fundamental principles and erodes the trust that is necessary for effective leadership. Leaders who commit this crime against their people must face the consequences of their actions. It is only through the strict enforcement of the law and the punishment of offenders that we can ensure that our societies are governed by leaders who are honest, transparent, and accountable.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters. He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com