With the knowledge I have about politics, I can categorically say that politics is a game where people fight for power, control, and influence, not with guns or violence, but through words, strategies, debates, alliances, and laws. It is like a battle fought with intelligence, negotiation, and planning rather than physical combat.
However, the reverse has been the case in some parts of Nigeria, particularly in Ebiraland where I was born and raised. While in some regions of the country, politicians employ strategic methods to win elections peacefully, in Ebiraland, politics has long been demonized by desperate power mongers. This has led to the destruction of buildings and burning of houses across the three major local governments in Ebiraland.
Many prominent and promising youths have lost their lives fighting for political positions that, even when won, last only four years. The most devastating political crisis I personally witnessed in Ebiraland was between 2007 and 2009, during the intense rivalry between the Action Congress (AC) and PDP, when PDP was the ruling party in the state. I vividly remember that candidates from both parties could not campaign in certain areas without being heavily escorted by armed thugs. For example, when the PDP candidate visited Ahache for a campaign, and it was under gun battle between both AC and PDP thugs. At that time, the caretaker chairman of Okene LG was a PDP member.
The situation was so dire that residents of Kogi Central became familiar with gun sounds and could identify weapons by their sound alone. What we prayed for then is what we are experiencing now, peace. Yet, some seem ready to drag us back into those dark times.
I say this because of the reactions of many people after Sen. Natasha defied a lawful order from the state government. Instead of commending the governor for not responding with violence or oppression, some are praising the violator and her reckless statements, statements that could incite unrest. Most surprising are those who were once victims of the 2007 crisis now applauding her.
Are we now encouraging politicians to return to physical violence? Are these statements meant to provoke the governor into taking action against Sen Natasha? Do people believe a senator can match the power of a sitting governor? Are they equating the executive arm with the legislature? Sen Natasha, by protocol and hierarchy, is subject to Gov Ododo’s leadership as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
When a governor issues a directive banning political rallies or gatherings, even personal compounds are included if they are used for political purposes. The same applied during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when even weddings and congregational Jumat prayers were restricted across many states.
A responsible leader, aware of the weight of her words and the trust people place in her, would not go public with accusations that another respected leader is plotting to eliminate her. That alone shows a disregard for the peace we are currently enjoying in Ebiraland particularly in Ihima, where the statement was made.
If this were the 2007 era, when elections were determined by the number of thugs and the amount of ammunition one could mobilize, Ihima would have erupted in crisis that very day. I remember how Late Amewuru (Poor) from Okene-Eba was killed in 2007 simply because of something he said at a political rally.
A leader who values peace must be mindful of their words in public because followers may act on emotion without instruction. Good leaders often publicly dispel rumors and quietly take strategic actions to resolve issues peacefully.
But today, thanks to FGYB, a foundation has been laid in Ebiraland where, regardless of your political affiliation, you can campaign in any location within your jurisdiction without the fear of being attacked. In 2007, a senatorial candidate couldn’t even step foot into INEC premises, which were controlled by opposition thugs. Yet in the last senatorial election, Sen. Natasha and her husband walked into INEC freely without being insulted or a stone throw at her. Still, people criticize the current system and call it demonic, while glorifying those who engineered the chaos of 2007.
No more era of Ozi Ozoza Ohi-adani in Ebiraland.
I will continue to commend FGYB for changing the political narrative in Ebiraland proving that politics is about influence and leadership, not violence, and also praise Gov Ododo for consolidating that legacy.
– Engr Ira Habib writes from Lokoja.
