Apoliticism Is Allowed -By Akinyemi Akinola

The concept of critical democratic citizenship is alien to many Nigerians. They think everyone is, or has to be a partisan. Of course I expect, even though it is not compulsory that every adult should play a participatory role in deciding who governs their society, I also think everyone should have a freedom of choice, Political aparthy cannot be wished away, these people are part of the society and they may have genuine reasons but I still think it should be totally discouraged. Having said that, it is the shallowest of minds that will attempt to force their choice(s) down the throat of others, what good could possibly come out of that? isn’t it obvious that the more you try to bully people into accepting your choice the higher the likelihood of strengthening their resolve not to accept that choice. This is simple human nature.

While I think less of people who believe those that don’t think like them or support their choices are less patriotic or half witted, another set of people I think lesser of are those who lack the cerebral capacity to understand that a simple criticism, comparison and acknowledgement of the obvious doesn’t in anyway translate to endorsement or repudiation. In such people’s little world you have to be either PDP or APC and most recently you have to be an “obidient” (not even labour party). A criticism of the present government automatically makes you unpatriotic and a member of the “corrupt opposition that mis-ruled for 16years”- as if the majority of those we have been recycling were not part of the much talked about 16years. The moment you applaud another policy or action, you suddenly become a darling.

The funniest set of people whom I don’t even consider worthy to engage at all are those who in all their wisdom believed that because you criticized GEJ, you supported and helped PMB into power. I consider this one of the silliest jokes of the past 7years.

Nigerians should realise that they are collectively responsible for the survival of the country and constructive criticism of your leaders is a norm. It doesn’t translate to hatred or unpatriotism.

There is the need to allow people register their displeasure about Certain policies as it affects them but people should also be responsible with and for their words. It is healthy to applaud a positive development even when you do not agree with some other policies of the government. It is also healthy to criticize when you feel the government’s decision may not be in the interest of the majority of the populace.

People attacked Femi Adesina when he arrogantly called some citizens wailers, even though I think that was a misguided statement, I still dont blame him because in most cases, our style of criticism has degenerated into wailing. When in a bid to prove that a Goverment is bad, you talk down on every single policy and decision of the government, you are also quick to see or analyse the negatives of any achievement, then, you will not be taken seriously. Such people have become antagonists. There is a thin line between antagonism and criticism, the moment that line is crossed, every comment becomes walling. If I constantly praise your achievements and waste no time in criticizing your errors, as well as mention possible alternatives for a better result, you will take me more seriously since it will be obvious that my concerns are genuine. Of course, the reverse will be the case if all I ever do is pick holes without constructively proffering solutions.

We should develop the Culture of respecting choices as well as putting the country first and above political parties (especially, our kind of political parties in Nigeria that lack clear ideologies). People who applaud and criticise different policies as they deem fit are not speaking from both sides of the mouth, that line of thought is your bigoted mind at work. In fact, these people are among the few sane and informed people we have today, they deserve respect, it is you who shoud check yourself if you cannot see anything right or wrong with a government or a person simply because you claim to be a party supporter.