I began campaigning for @PeterObi before many so called Obidient warriors & generals had a clue of the 2023 Presidential election calendar. I joined a tiny whatsapp group of inspiring Nigerians that contributed the N40 million plus handed to PO to obtain the PDP primary ticket. This group consisted of men and women from every ethnic group who believed in his vision. I can proudly say I invested my personal resources, time and energy is supporting PO up through the last ballot was cast Election Day and I will do it 100x over.

Some overnight supporters who caught the fever while getting excited because a man from their region had the chance of clinching the presidency have decided that they carry a stronger "Obidient DNA" and have weaponized this narrative that being from a different ethnic group means you are a "traitor in waiting". These group of people who make such commentary are a dishonest bunch of Nigerians who need to go through some soul searching and need to reorientate themselves on what it means to be PAN Nigerian.

I do not begrudge individuals who wear the ethnic preference on their sleeves, but as a Yoruba kid from Osun State and a Prince of Ife North who grew up in the South South in a detribalized household were ethnic bigotry was a taboo, I will say many parents across Nigeria have failed this country. If you are from the same region as a political candidate, you should understand that winning elections requires the ability to build bridges across all geopolitical zones while understanding the complexities with the political landscape and how the wounds of past events need to be discarded to have the best amongst us to emerge.

As a movement, I will not sit by and allow the toxic group in our midst define the true reasons why his candidacy for many of us was the most ideal. PO did amazingly well in the Southwest and middle belt when you analyze the demography of voters, please stop painting a broad brush on people who voted differently from you as tribal bigots as the accusation can be reversed. We need to carry PO's message into communities where the results were poor and do the difficult work of winning more hearts and minds.

Opposition politics is not insulting or spewing toxic energy but keeping the government in power in check as active citizens. This will include engaging lawmakers and shaping public opinion where we believe a different approach should be taken with policy direction. If you want to die on the hill of toxic engagements and hoping it will turn the tide, then I will say that you are only making that pathway extremely difficult in the future.

I have learnt a lot about Nigerian politics in the last 12 months and I will continue to contribute positively in selling LP as a vehicle that remains the best political platform to produce inspiring candidates across several offices. While we build for the future, look at your local communities and ask yourself, is every Nigerian regardless of religion or ethnic origin able to do what you desire in a host community different from yours? When we make this a personal objective then we can begin ridding this country of the setbacks that tribal allegiance or ethnic preference has contributed to our under-development.

I will say this with the microphone on max volume to everyone on all sides "quit addressing politics through the lens of ethnicity and religion". It is tiring!
We will agree and disagree on issues once in a while but at the end of the day we are all fighting for a better nation.

I will be taking a long needed break from twitter!

Some overnight supporters who caught the fever while getting excited because a man from their region had the chance of clinching the presidency have decided that they carry a stronger "Obidient DNA" and have weaponized this narrative that being from a different ethnic group means you are a "traitor in waiting".

opamoses1:

stuffs2002:
Akin Olaoye is just being dishonest with himself,

Peter Obi himself doest believe anyone not Igbo carried the true "Obidient DNA" see all non Igbo OBIDIENTS "traitors in waiting".

Goodvibes007:

I remember Peter Obi's call to Oyedepo where he used the term "your people" to refer to people from Oyedepo's region.

mrvitalis:
So we now judge presidential candidate by their supporters actions?

No wam

BigIyanga:

Same APC supporters went around with GEJ coffing.. mocking in markets and public places.

The fact that some intellectuals like Soyinka and co are peddling this false narrative is cringeworthy.

Their candidate, BAT, actually said ‘ it is my/our turn’ to be president

BigIyanga:
How a candidate who won 12states of 36 is called tribal.
PO had voted for MKO, OBJ, Yar’dua and GEJ, ATIKU and himself.. For the past 30yrs, PO had votes for Igbo man 1…yet a section of the country calls him tribalistic

BAT had voted for: MKO, Olu Falae, Nuhu Rihadbu&Adesola, GMB/Osibanjo and himself. For the last 30yrs-BAT had only voted for parties that selected a Yoruba man as President or VP.. who is tribalistic ?

BigIyanga:
How a candidate who won 12states of 36 is called tribal.
PO had voted for MKO, OBJ, Yar’dua and GEJ, ATIKU and himself.. For the past 30yrs, PO had votes for Igbo man 1…yet a section of the country calls him tribalistic

BAT had voted for: MKO, Olu Falae, Nuhu Rihadbu&Adesola, GMB/Osibanjo and himself. For the last 30yrs-BAT had only voted for parties that selected a Yoruba man as President or VP.. who is tribalistic ?

BigIyanga:
How a candidate who won 12states of 36 is called tribal.
PO had voted for MKO, OBJ, Yar’dua and GEJ, ATIKU and himself.. For the past 30yrs, PO had votes for Igbo man 1…yet a section of the country calls him tribalistic

BAT had voted for: MKO, Olu Falae, Nuhu Rihadbu&Adesola, GMB/Osibanjo and himself. For the last 30yrs-BAT had only voted for parties that selected a Yoruba man as President or VP.. who is tribalistic ?

Gerrard59:

Well, the problem lies with those who take Nigerian politics seriously. Nigerians are too optimistic and hopeful people. Some might say he is saying this because he is more fortunate than others, but I would have also been the same even if I was not fortunate enough. Nigerians should understand Nigeria for what it is rather than what they think it should be.

In the next twenty years, people will still complain of the same issues. So, why bother/stress yourself with what you cannot change?

Appletek:


Peter Obi is a tribal disease. He put an Ebonyi man as the state LP campaign coordinator in Sokoto, the seat of the caliphate. That alone is a direct insult to the Muslims in LP. Ask the bastard if an Ebonyi man can head LP campaign in Anambra.

Have you forgotten how he used Igbos in other Northern states? How he used Igbos in Lagos?

I can see why Peter Obi's loss pained Biafrans even more than the loss of the civil war. Your tribal plans failed woefully.