God Forbid I Fight For Any Nigerian Politician -By Damilare Adeleye

Even though it is normal to have certain interest and affective desire for any leading political actors, I personally believe that no politician in Nigeria is worth fighting or dying for in any circumstances. Categorically, everyone is entitled to hold unflinching support and loyalty for any political parties or individuals, yet such active devotion should not be allowed to run in contrary or jeopardise our personal life and relationship with the people in our immediate circle.

In perspective, it is worth noting and commendable that the just concluded presidential election attracted the keen interest of many Nigerian youths as many pitched “their” tent with their respective preferred candidates whom they trusted and believed will turn the fortunes of the country around for better. Interestingly, the dynamics of typical Nigerian politics were also challenged with massive participation of the young people who made the presidential poll quite tense, stiff and competitive among the 18 contenders. Unfortunately, in the build up to the election, many of the youths were widely and largely divided along ethnic, religious and political jingoism causing a heated momentum arguments across all available social media platforms. On their choice of their candidates, some advertently destroyed their longtime relationship and shattered the hope of reconciliation over their diehard defence of the capacity and integrity of their beloved candidates. Some broke the bond of childhood friendship and created magnanimous enmity with their allies, neighbours, colleagues, classmates and fellow religious worshippers merely over disagreements on politicians. To an extent, some have caused irreparable damage through their abusive utterances and unwarranted rhetoric against their partners and families during and after the general elections.

But mark you, many politicians do not really care about anything aside from their interest. You would recall that President Muhammadu Buhari and former president Goodluck Jonathan were like cat and mouse during the 2015 presidential election. However, today, the alliance between the two elder statesmen remains unimaginable. Similarly, Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Mr Femi Fani-Kayode were once strong opponents of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and All Progressive Congress respectively. But, opposite is the case now as the duo were key Chief spokespersons for Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign council. These and more are attestations that politics is a game of interest and politicians issue statements to protect and support their interest and ambition at any given period. Among the political class, the common saying is that there are no permanent friends and foes in politics!

In one of his recent live interviews on TVC, the former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who is a staunch stalwart of PDP, categorically lambasted his party and its presidential candidate. He however urged the youths saying: “Don’t go and die for any politicians. Don’t die for us, we are not worth dying for. The moment you die, they forget. The persons that died well in this country they don’t remember them. Politicians? For a moment, they would (just) come to burial, shed crocodile’s tears , then go to their houses.”

On this standpoint, it would only be a double jeopardy to literarily take bullet or lose one’s prospective life-changing relationship because of politicians. Rather, as patriotic citizens, it is truly incumbent on us to have strong conviction in the developmental progress and national cohesion of our country. It is perhaps constitutionally bent on us to agitate for a new Nigeria where children of the masses are given quality education, healthcare services and standard welfarism. Indeed, we need a new Nigeria that gives opportunities to the young people and a society that is devoid of nepotism, favoritism, tribalism and ethnicity. It is in our right to advocate a better country where every Nigerian is given equal right to justice, security and good governance. These basic dividends are what we must continue to fight for even with the tiniest strength in our palms. To every young individual out there, let’s not burn the bridges of harmony and trust within us. Afterwards, the politicians who play the tune of distrust and discord among us, can also conveniently settle their scores with their opponents and perceived enemies without seeking any approval from us. Wise up!

Damilare Adeleye writes from Lagos State University.