DISCLAIMER:-
The views portended herein aren't meant to be foisted down anyone's throat as I'm a firm believer in the parlance; "..to each, his own path..".




I'm an inclusivist and a pacifist. I believe that if given the chance to, and all things being equal, I have the capacity to love even a "devil".

It is common knowledge today that never a time in Nigeria's history have her people shown so much interest in governance, and by extension, politics. Never a time also, has politics been this massively divisive. I have always held the view that the last general elections was an ethno-religious war which was executed using ballot paper and ink.
Gradually but steadily gaining momentum, we are reaching the epoch of an era where our whole acceptance of one another is based largely on political affiliation, not tribe anymore (or as it used to be).

I watched with interest, two Saturdays ago, at my neighborhood market, how two kids, not above 13 by my estimation kept throwing vitriols at each other...their banter was in the lines of...
Kid‎ 1:- Me I dey support Jonathan, una be wayo. PDP!! Power!

Kid 2 :- "Oloshi! Ode niyen! Ole Buruku! Which kain PDP‎, PDP wey don chop all Nigeria money finish, you no see as light dey now, God go punish you and that your jonathan. Sai Buhari Joor!!!!

^^It is a reflection of what we, the adults have instilled in them. Even in our discussions, especially online, it has become a case of kill or be killed (verbally). The moment a person posits a comment which doesn't tally with that which we believe, automatically, our psychological defenses/offensives build up, we wait out an available opportunity to shoot them in the head (verbally).
It is becoming really worrisome that we cannot co-exist side by side with differing views.
"It's either our way, or the highway."
Among locales, you now hear stuff like "I AM APC" "YOU ARE PDP"
Individuals now derive their sense of identification from a political party and by extension, drawing a sense of worth and self from there.


Personally, I think this is a well thought out, veritable mind control manipulation tool which the elite uses, to keep the masses on a tight leash while ensuring that we fight their wars. We have been reduced to mere foot soldiers, who do not really gain any dividend of democracy, but defend these folks, even when they are clearly in the wrong like our lives depended on it.
Never a time have our youth from both sides of the divide been heavily bribed ‎to defend whichever side the elite need them to support, with a mandate to bring down those who do not share their views using subtle threats, emotional blackmail, cyber bullying, hurling scathing invectives and whatnots.

Now, let me come a little more closer to home.

The moment some of us declared support for a political party, ideology or politician, we lost friends, if we didn't lose them as friends, then surely, the bonds which once held us closely knit to one another became loosened.
In our social circles, online, offline, we are accepted wholly because we support one of either parties, either loudly, or by proxy.

Let me ask this question...I will use myself as an example...
To my close friends who are unapologetically GEJites, what would be your reaction be today if I announced that I no longer see anything good in GEJ ideologies, that my conviction has changed?
Would you still love, extol and honor me? Or would you consciously and unconsciously do anything to see me fall, because you're of the belief that I'm a political prostitute, a betrayer and whatever vitriol you seek to label me with?


Today, I congratulate the men and women who have remained true to one another despite‎ the difference in polarity, as it relates to political leanings/persuasion.
I congratulate those who still seek to love wholeheartedly, those who do not share their views.
I salute those who will not allow themselves be blinded by hate and unwarranted distrust for their fellow man.

Today also, I enjoin us to value friendship, fellowship and brotherhood above partisanship.
I enjoin us to see everyone as our brother, and sister.
While it is true that it is easier to love those whom we're on the same page with, I reckon that it is not an impossible feat to think good thoughts, and accept those who don't share our views.


The reality remains that some of us will be vocal in our support or dis-support ‎of this government, the reality is that we will not always agree with one another, sometimes, the views your friend portends will likely annoy you and you will likely lash out, I think it is healthy to do so, instead of beefing them, and while speaking your mind, please be careful not to cross that line, be careful that your actions aren't borne out of hate or averseness. Show more tolerance, apply diplomacy.


I believe that we can rise above hate, malice, vituperations, vitriols and whatnots.
I believe that on this board and offline, we can apply subtle jabs that don't bother on hate and bitterness, and still engage in healthy arguments. Yes We Can.


The Transformation, The Change, ‎The Positive Overhaul that we so desire for this nation must start with us.
How ready are we?


SOURCE

cc: Obinoscopy Lalasticlala Ishilove

IdisuleOurOwn:
Gaskia MizMyColi, you have really spoken well.
Devoid of hatred, Mudd sliding and character assassination.

It always beats my imagination, how some peeps come here to defend these politicians and those in corridor of power who milk us dry.


This is how one guy here, some few days back was defending one so-call thief sorry "chief" for abandoning project that was given to him to execute.


I believe, with this written piece of yours, those who are paid agents of so so so and so party will have a rethink and retrace back their tracks.


Criticism are welcome but, not a blind one.



This is a bitter truth.
Some of your E- friends won't take it lightly with you.

I wait for their reactions.

Ahmed4002:

PassingShot:
Booked

AMINDA:
Very nice piece.

MizMyColi:
Shop.

Dygeasy:
.

PassingShot:
This is not your first attempt at showing ability to tolerate others and readiness to be objective at issues of national interest. The first time was when you did this thread https://www.nairaland.com/2282829/nairaland-democrats-criticisms-president-elect-repentant

However, I realized that no sooner had you dropped your pen that your fellow GEJites got you back on the same hating way for PMB/VPYO. This is by the way anyway.

To the main issue of your thread, let's look at it this way:

1. Jonathan is largely responsible for ethnic and religion divisions we now see today in Nigeris. No sincere person will deny the fact that he played the religious and ethnic cards dangerously to the maximum. He even pronounced it loud and clear when he said Igbos are the backbone of his administration.

Another issue is lack of sportsmanship on the part of PDP and its supporters. It's a fact that those who supported Jonathan find it extremely difficult to accept the fact that the man has lost an election and therefore they need to move on. In sane societies, ones elections have been won and lost, the losers will come together and support the winners to move the country forward. The losers critize the govt objectively by providing alternative means to issues; not by running their mouth on the pages of newspapers and NL to condemn every step of the new regime just to be seen to exist.

We all know that Jonathan couldn't have ever become president without the support of those who now no longer like him. So, why should it be difficult to accept that the man failed truly and it's the reason he was rejected at the polls.

I can only advise you to try to be yourself as there is nothing or very little you can do to change the bigots. Just try and make sure you don't fall back into bigotry.

As the Chief Wailer once said before he decamped, Buhari would have remained in Daura enjoying his retirement had Jonathan performed up to the mark. Unfortunately, bigotry and expectations of political appointment beclouded his reasoning.

The reason for this topic bothers on maintaining the bonds of friendship, and the things which we share in common, while airing our views.

You may not realize, but that writeup I made then took its toll.
I became better for it.

I think of life as a journey, gaffes are allowed, mistakes are allowed, what matters is what we make of them.

Like I pointed on this thread....
There will be times when we agree and mostly times when we disagree on issues.
You should equally correct the impression that those who do not speak in favour of this government are haters. What some of us need is conviction....that a worthy cause is on course.

That said, this thread is not about Buhari or Jonathan...let's assume Jonathan (emphasis on "assume" is the cause of the ethnic divide really, I mentioned it in the post when I said that "politicians use this divisiveness as a mind control tactic"

This thread is about you and I...about all of us, who just take a liking for politics because we like it.

Can we possibly co-exist without throwing vitriols and hate speeches at one another?

Can we begin now to understand that pain inflicted on another is pain inflicted on self?

MizMyColi:


I hope you're aware that your post is inciteful to a degree.

Thanks for the compliment though.

IdisuleOurOwn:

How?

Never Mind

MizMyColi:


The reason for this topic bothers on maintaining the bonds of friendship, and the things which we share in common, while airing our views.

You may not realize, but that writeup I made then took its toll.
I became better for it.

I think of life as a journey, gaffes are allowed, mistakes are allowed, what matters is what we make of them.

Like I pointed on this thread....
There will be times when we agree and mostly times when we disagree on issues.
You should equally correct the impression that those who do not speak in favour of this government are haters. What some of us need is conviction....that a worthy cause is on course.

That said, this thread is not about Buhari or Jonathan...let's assume Jonathan (emphasis on "assume" is the cause of the ethnic divide really, I mentioned it in the post when I said that "politicians use this divisiveness as a mind control tactic"

This thread is about you and I...about all of us, who just take a liking for politics because we like it.

Can we possibly co-exist without throwing vitriols and hate speeches at one another?

Can we begin now to understand that pain inflicted on another is pain inflicted on self?

MizMyColi:
..

PassingShot:

I understand your OP perfectly but we also need to identify how we got here since it was not this way in the past.
Of course we can coexist while still having different ideologies or political leanings. The big question is can the opposition come up with credible issues to discuss? Issues free of concotions and laced with connotations of witch hunting and ethnicity. This is the basic requirement for peaceful debate devoid of vitriols and tantrums.

How come none of "them" is here?

That, to me, is akin to apportioning blames. This is where we are now, how do we move forward?

People have gotten along on more mundane and crassly senseless topics, even those who clearly disagree.

This is where tolerance comes in.

You for example, we are far in political beliefs as far as the east is from the west

But, I can't remember when last you insulted me, or when last I did.

Has that stopped you from attacking my posts which seem unintelligent to you?
Or even throwing subtle jabs?
NO.

Do I perceive you as a hater of Me? NO.

Are you permitted to call out my gaffes next time around, YES...

But let's watch it.
It's easier to tow the path of hate and bitterness, it never bodes well on anyone.

The more anger and bitterness you harbour inside you, the more anger and bitterness you attract to yourself, sometimes, our health even gets affected.

MizMyColi:


That, to me, is akin to apportioning blames. This is where we are now, how do we move forward?

People have gotten along on more mundane and crassly senseless topics, even those who clearly disagree.

This is where tolerance comes in.

You for example, we are far in political beliefs as far as the east is from the west

But, I can't remember when last you insulted me, or when last I did.

Has that stopped you from attacking my posts which seem unintelligent to you?
Or even throwing subtle jabs?
NO.

Do I perceive you as a hater of Me? NO.

Are you permitted to call out my gaffes next time around, YES...

But let's watch it.
It's easier to tow the path of hate and bitterness, it never bodes well on anyone.

The more anger and bitterness you harbour inside you, the more anger and bitterness you attract to yourself, sometimes, our health even gets affected.

PassingShot:

I understand your OP perfectly but we also need to identify how we got here since it was not this way in the past.
Of course we can coexist while still having different ideologies or political leanings. The big question is can the opposition come up with credible issues to discuss? Issues free of concotions and laced with connotations of witch hunting and ethnicity. This is the basic requirement for peaceful debate devoid of vitriols and tantrums.

How come none of "them" is here?

PassingShot:

Hmmm. Agreed with most of your points but you still failed to acknowledge that the deep seated hatred in the other camp cannot make healthy debate possible.

I hate no one, hence you see me contribute in any thread irrespective of who owns it.

I ask again, why haven't the GEJites been seen here?

Am I permitted to speak for those on the other camp?

We actually think of you guys as the ones with deep seated hatred.
We believe that because we do not agree with your views and the extolling of the person, Buhari, then we are labelled haters, who want nothing good for this govt.
I am not absolving everyone of this, but truth is, the past government was a victim of same.

Tbh, I was always apolitical, GEJ got my sympathy first because of how APC guys kept painting him black...
Now because of my nature to identify with the oppressed and outcasts of society, I naturally gravitated towards him.
I have this belief that no one is utterly bad, and that no matter how annoying people are, especially those in leadership position, we must refrain from insulting, denigrating or calling them names that are unbefitting.

It is a known law that you cannot inherit a position that you do not honour.

There is a reason the bible and quran admonishes us to honour our leaders even when they are wrong.

Does this mean I will never insult anyone who is a hallowed position, Mbanu, but while at it, my conscience owes me a duty to remind that it is not the right thing to do.


Now, Pshot, despite seeing me as a PMB hater, why haven't you attacked me or insulted me to pieces?

This is where our personalities come into fore.

This is where the power of choice reigns supreme.

Wait, let's even leave out Buhari or Jonathan.

The question now is, why am I likely to see you as an enemy because you support APC?

Is there a way that can be remedied?

Can we truly rise above?

Yes, we can.

StOla:


You will soon apologise profusely like the protection seeker did after a thread that did not please WADATA house.

bqlekan:
Rightly said, politics, religion, ethnicity all creates divide and hatred. I thought education would change that, but no, it only brought intolerance to another unsatisfactory level, most especially in youths. Let's learn to respect our differences.

Let me ask this question...I will use myself as an example...
To my close friends who are unapologetically GEJites, what would be your reaction be today if I announced that I no longer see anything good in GEJ ideologies, that my conviction has changed?
Would you still love, extol and honor me? Or would you consciously and unconsciously do anything to see me fall, because you're of the belief that I'm a political prostitute, a betrayer and whatever vitriol you seek to label me with?