So it has come and it's finally on its way out, the 2023 elections. I say finally because one word amongst many others that I would use to describe these elections is "disruptive". Disruptive in the sense that it sort of messed up our regular activities and more importantly, our perception of one another. Even shows like BB Naija that used to unite many young people became barely noticeable. Politicians in their usual way, found their ways into the hearts of many and plucked the strings of their emotions and boy, did they succeed in getting their desired goals. The word "tribalism" has enjoyed a resurgent popularity in the media space and it will very likely remain so at least for a few weeks to come. Winners have emerged, others are counting their losses but in all of it, I learnt the following:

1. Social media is a very powerful tool. They said elections are not won on social media then came back to express their shock afterwards. Peter Obi himself could never have envisaged that the "obidient" movement would garner this much traction. I dare say that as it is now, it is bigger that the man himself.

2. We have attained some level of political maturity. Nigerians have now realised that government is supposed to be for the people and not the other way round. We have realised that we can actually make a difference in our own little ways. The way many of the aspirants suddenly became humble, nice and accessible is a testament to this fact and I must say this made me very happy.

3. Even though we have made much progress, we still have a long way to go. This display of tribalism shows that we are yet to understand that it is the people against the government. The politicians played the tribal card and many hopelessly fell for it. To be honest, this really surprised me. The online tribal war between the "Yorubas" and the "Igbos" is at best laughable. The Yorubas claim to be angry because some Igbos said that Lagos is "no man's land". The "Igbos" and many other people from other tribes (some Yorubas inclusive) say they want to end godfatherism in Lagos and by extension, the whole of Nigeria. Neither group really sat down to think and understand that their wants are not contradictory. They just lunged at eachother with the aim to destroy.

I have some questions for both groups though. Do indigenes get free land to build houses in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria? Is the cost of living higher for non indigenes of Lagos or other parts of Nigeria? What benefits exactly do indigenes of Lagos or other parts of Nigeria enjoy asides bragging rights? And who bragging rights help? With all due respect, all those who allowed themselves to be manipulated by the politicians are not very wise. I say "not very wise" because I'm giving all due respect.

Now my hopes for the future. I hope and pray that come 2027, we will be too wise to be polarised on tribal and religious lines. I hope that when the, pardon my choice of word, i.dio.tic politicians play the tribal and religious cards again, we will be smart enough to resist them. I hope that we will all understand that it is us against them, put them on their toes and "put fire in their buttocks". Let only people who have the best interest of Nigerians at heart find their way into government. Competence and capacity should be our watchword. If a house man will give lagosians the dividends of democracy, them we will all support him. If a Yoruba man will make Avia state prosperous, then it's him we will vote. If an Igbo man is the best for the job in Kaduna state, we will make sure he gets it. If we are able to achieve these, we will have succeeded in solving a larger percentage of our problems.

Say no to "Yoruba ronu" and yes to "Nigerians ronu". Say no to "Igbos unite" and yes to "Nigerians unite". God bless Nigeria!!

emorse:
So it has come and it's finally on its way out, the 2023 elections. I say finally because one word amongst many others that I would use to describe these elections is "disruptive". Disruptive in the sense that it sort of messed up our regular activities and more importantly, our perception of one another. Even shows like BB Naija that used to unite many young people became barely noticeable. Politicians in their usual way, found their ways into the hearts of many and plucked the strings of their emotions and boy, did they succeed in getting their desired goals. The word "tribalism" has enjoyed a resurgent popularity in the media space and it will very likely remain so at least for a few weeks to come. Winners have emerged, others are counting their losses but in all of it, I learnt the following:

1. Social media is a very powerful tool. They said elections are not won on social media then came back to express their shock afterwards. Peter Obi himself could never have envisaged that the "obidient" movement would garner this much traction. I dare say that as it is now, it is bigger that the man himself.

2. We have attained some level of political maturity. Nigerians have now realised that government is supposed to be for the people and not the other way round. We have realised that we can actually make a difference in our own little ways. The way many of the aspirants suddenly became humble, nice and accessible is a testament to this fact and I must say this made me very happy.

3. Even though we have made much progress, we still have a long way to go. This display of tribalism shows that we are yet to understand that it is the people against the government. The politicians played the tribal card and many hopelessly fell for it. To be honest, this really surprised me. The online tribal war between the "Yorubas" and the "Igbos" is at best laughable. The Yorubas claim to be angry because some Igbos said that Lagos is "no man's land". The "Igbos" and many other people from other tribes (some Yorubas inclusive) say they want to end godfatherism in Lagos and by extension, the whole of Nigeria. Neither group really sat down to think and understand that their wants are not contradictory. They just lunged at eachother with the aim to destroy.

I have some questions for both groups though. Do indigenes get free land to build houses in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria? Is the cost of living higher for non indigenes of Lagos or other parts of Nigeria? What benefits exactly do indigenes of Lagos or other parts of Nigeria enjoy asides bragging rights? And who bragging rights help? With all due respect, all those who allowed themselves to be manipulated by the politicians are not very wise. I say "not very wise" because I'm giving all due respect.

Now my hopes for the future. I hope and pray that come 2027, we will be too wise to be polarised on tribal and religious lines. I hope that when the, pardon my choice of word, i.dio.tic politicians play the tribal and religious cards again, we will be smart enough to resist them. I hope that we will all understand that it is us against them, put them on their toes and "put fire in their buttocks". Let only people who have the best interest of Nigerians at heart find their way into government. Competence and capacity should be our watchword. If a house man will give lagosians the dividends of democracy, them we will all support him. If a Yoruba man will make Avia state prosperous, then it's him we will vote. If an Igbo man is the best for the job in Kaduna state, we will make sure he gets it. If we are able to achieve these, we will have succeeded in solving a larger percentage of our problems.

Say no to "Yoruba ronu" and yes to "Nigerians ronu". Say no to "Igbos unite" and yes to "Nigerians unite". God bless Nigeria!!

isn’t it annoying that d same people who dare not go out on Monday and are slaves to a man in faraway Finland want to free another person

Y not liberate themselves first

Reality3080:
isn’t it annoying that d same people who dare not go out on Monday and are slaves to a man in faraway Finland want to free another person

Y not liberate themselves first

That's also a symptom/consequence of poor governance that we must put an end to. And it shouldn't matter where it starts from. We must collectively fight our oppressors so as to make a better place for our children. As I said earlier, indigeneship is little more than bragging rights. Bragging rights that doesn't put food on our table. Whether or not you have this bragging right, as long as you're not a political elite, Nigeria is happening to to you!

So at this point, let's just learn our lessons and progress together as a people.Outside the shores of this land, no one cares about our tribes. We are all Nigerians.