Essential Ndubuisi
Last week, several online newspapers, media houses and bloggers carried the news that the AFENIFERE, a Yoruba socio-political group has endorsed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, HE Mr Peter Obi. The majority of people who relished the news did not do so because it is in favour of Mr Obi, who by serendipity is the most popular and the most accepted presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election. But because the position of the AFENIFERE reflects the desire of the people.
It was as if the group interviewed Nigerians; among the presidential candidates who do you all want? And why is he your choice?
According to Mogaji Gbeyoga Adenujo, a chieftain of the AFENIFERE, if there must be an election in 2023, then there must be equity, justice and fairness. The North has ruled for 11 years (late Yar’Adua’s three years and President Buhari’s eight years), while the Southwest and South-South have had eight years and five years respectively. So, equity demands that the next president should come from the Southeast. And that is why they are supporting Peter Obi.
However, they didn’t just decide to support Obi based solely on high moral grounds – justice, equity and fairness– but because having critically examined all the candidates comparatively, Peter Obi is the one they strongly believe will tackle the problems bedevilling Nigeria such as; insecurity, bad economy, visible cracks in the country’s nationhood, etc. He is the candidate they believe, just like every other Nigerian, will give everyone a sense of belonging. Something that has eluded Nigeria for some time now.
You see, the AFENIFERE group like many Nigerians do not want the North to rule beyond Buhari’s eight years. Neither do they support Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, needless to mention his choice of a vice presidential candidate. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country, and just like many other plural societies consociationalism is the only way to ensure a sense of belonging among the people.
Additionally, religion is a strong deciding factor in Nigerian politics and democracy. And over the years, we have always found a balance between the two major religions in Nigeria–Islamism and Christianity– by ensuring that we have a Christian/Muslim or Muslim/Christian joint ticket. There is no point in making choices that will drive Nigeria further into disunity. So that, instead of moving forward, we will be preoccupied with a series of episodic agitations for this and that.
It should not take AFENIFERE to remind the BATists and those who want the power to remain with the North of the reason we adopted power rotation, unity schools, federal character and other measures employed to ensure stability and promote our democracy. Nonetheless, I am glad they said what they said. Because if it had come from Ohaneze ndi Igbo, those who play politics with everything will bring ethnic connotations to it.
#LetUsTakeBackOurCountry
Nnenna writes for PO Express Media, POEM.
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