Beyond 2023 Election: The Tribalistic Conflict for Prominence -By Oyinlola Olamide Doyin

Evidently, amongst over 500 ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Fulani tribe have had more taste of power in politics than any other tribe. Judging from statistics, ‘Don’t you think the Igbo should have a chance?’ ‘I think the next president should be from the Yoruba tribe.’ The last two sentences have been the crux of the conversation of over 50% of Nigerians as to who the next president should be at the much anticipated presidential election which is scheduled hold on the 25th of February,2023 as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Basically, there are 18 parties approved by INEC to be involved in the 2023 presidential election. However, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP) have been the talk of the town and gown. There have been controversies as to who best suits the position thereby resulting in a conflict between tribes. The subsequent paragraphs of this discourse tend to explore the issues surrounding Nigerians’ tribalistic dispositions and the track record of success, efficiency and competence the key to a successful reign.

First off, Nigerians’ tribalistic disposition to sensitive issues is one area that needs to be worked on. Tribes are placed on certain importance based on the fact that they give one identity and a sense of loyalty. However, it is no news that Nigerians’ have used this great ideology as a tool to fight one another. The Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulani tribes are not expected to agitate for prominence considering the fact that they have always overshadowed the rest. It is pertinent to note that the Fulani tribe as classed together with the Igbo and Yoruba is a result of the fact that 6Fulani have had a shot at the presidency than the Hausa even when they have been lumped with the Hausa from the onset. There is a need to clamour for competence. The fact remains that supporting and voting for a candidate on the basis of tribe will not only allow incompetent hands in power but also make favouritism, nepotism, tribalism and whatnot reach their zenith. The Nigerian populace needs to understand that embracing competence and quality will help reduce if not curb the very many vices in the country’s political space. To achieve this, every Nigerian must understand that their brother might not be the best candidate for whatever position. They need to understand that ‘he is my blood’ is not enough evidence to support and elect a candidate for whatever position. Until we understand this, it is assumed from my end that Nigeria might remain as it is at the present.

1. Notably, judging by track record, no tribe can be said to have achieved or served better than another. On records, Fulani has had a shot at the presidency 10 times, Yoruba, three, and Igbo have had 2 times. Judging by these statistics, one cannot pinpoint that it was during all the Fulani regimes that Nigeria got better and otherwise in other tribes’ regimes. This is to say that the likes of Late Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Tafawa Balewa, did not achieve success because they were from a particular success but because they were competent. They individually performed brilliantly bar their tribe. A good man is not qualified by the tribe. We need a leader who understands what it means to be efficient and knows how to utilize resources. We need to pay attention to underrated qualities such as right attitude to work, standard knowledge and fear of God. We need to wake up from our slumber and understand that a tribal conflict for prominence should be away from us during this period if we are to get to where we’ve always dreamed of.

In essence, one should be in the know that one’s choice today would determine one’s tomorrow .’ Nigeria is our fatherland and peace and unity are our stance. We should step up our thinking and understand that division and conflict are not us. Nigeria is for all tribes irrespective of the tribe in power .’ Together we stand, divided we fall’ should always be our mantra for this period and forever. Now is the time to speak up, stand up and support one another for competence and efficiency. ‘Don’t drink poison because it was served with your tribal glass .’ Vote wisely!!