₦airaland Forum

I should make two quick points before I proceed with this. One, I absolutely do not like the ethnic coloration that we give to politics in Nigeria. I think that as a country, the best way to attain the height of our potential is to move together as one, not allowing those things which divide us hold us back. The second thing, which is a corollary to the foregoing is that I am not in support of zoning.

In truth, I think any government that wants to do Nigeria good should instantly kill the idea of zoning, start to see that every part of the country is fairly treated, gets its due and that people get appointed into offices not because of where they come from but on the strength of their abilities. Just give merit the lead and let’s see if the sky can hold Nigeria back. Having said that, it would be playing to the ostrich to pretend that I do not understand that the situation with tribe, religion and ethnicity will not change in Nigeria overnight. It would not because whipping those sentiments is currently the most potent weapon in the hands of our political elite and a lot of Nigerians get carried away and follow the tide of politicians without question. This is why there have been a lot of permutations about what ethnic group will be influential and which will be redundant in the incoming administration. One of the often repeated arguments is that the South-South and the South-East have done themselves in by not voting for the All Progressives
Congress and jeopardising the opportunity to get any of the juicy political offices under the Buhari administration. Most of those who champion this position are people of Yoruba extraction of the South-West and the arguments are usually based on the superior sense of political alertness that the sponsors feel.

A lot of people in the South-West are so proud of their political leaders and the role they played in the formation of the APC that they write off those who did not join the train as political nonstarters with little or no understanding of the times. Depending on who is pushing these arguments and the depth with which they push it, I go away with one or two or all of the following impressions about them. I think that they are either naïve or arrogant or are affected by a combination of both. Of these tendencies, the one I find most unacceptable is arrogance.

Unfortunately, it is the most likely in the circumstance even though it is also the most untraditional of the Yoruba. Even if the Yoruba political elite are smart as to be able to read the political barometer and align with the right people at the right time, the traditional Yoruba person does, ordinarily, not gloat over his achievements. After all, are they not the people who suggest cautious humility when they counsel that if your yam sprouts, you should not brag about it? So, why beat your own drums so loud especially in the spite of other ethnic groups? In this loud vainglory, I think the Yoruba risk two things. One is that it may dig a deeper gulf between
them and the two other zones in the South and two, it may get the North suspicious of the ambition of Yoruba politicians. Now, we should get this clear, the major, in fact most prominent, factor that ensured a Buhari win in the March election is the long held determination of the northern part of the country that “power” must return to them in 2015.

With due respect to the fact that the South-West delivered votes and more importantly, made it easy for the APC candidate to obtain the required percentage of votes in 25 states, Northern Nigeria spoke with eloquent unity with their votes during these last elections. The South-West cannot say the same. The zone failed to pull its weight in the measure that bookmakers predicted as total number of votes cast in the zone and those delivered to the APC candidate were incredibly unimpressive. In a zone where over nine million people were said to have collected their Permanent Voter Cards before the elections, less than 50 per cent of that number came out to vote. And then out of this number, Buhari got a paltry 2.4 million votes, about 600, 000 votes more than that of President Goodluck Jonathan. Compare this to the North- West zone where votes from two states, Kano and Jigawa, were close to 2.9 million, almost half a million over the total that the South-West offered. So, how does the South-West hope to be equal partners with the North to the extent that its people will disparage other groups in this game? In addition to the side comments that I referred to earlier, there are reports of the alleged entitled disposition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the distribution of offices as the party gets closer to forming a government. Which is where the South-West might soon find itself fishing in troubled waters. Yoruba politicians may be smart and strategic but power is an industry for the North. This is why it sought after the Presidency with passionate doggedness for years and now that it is in the kitty, they will come against anyone who denies them the opportunity to totally own the President and his administration. With my understanding of Nigerian politics, politicians from the North are most adept at the deployment of power when one of their own gets into office. I do not see how things would be different when Buhari becomes President especially because of the quantum of support that he got from them.

Anyone in doubt of this should check the political history of Nigeria and see the deal that the late eminent Kwara politician, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki, and the late business mogul and politician, M.K.O. Abiola got from the North in the Second Republic. What northern leaders, including the political, traditional and religious ones, are likely to do is to move in on Buhari and shield him from any overbearing influence from any other part of the country. A signal of the political savviness of the North is the
success that it allowed the APC to make in the North-West in particular and all the three northern zones in general.

The result gives credence to the position taken by Prof. Ango Abdullahi on behalf of the Northern Elders’ Forum that the North was going to support any party that fielded a northern candidate. With a total of 162 House of Representatives members and 46 senators from the three zones in the North, it would be easy for the government to get anything done without the help of members from the South-West especially if efforts are made to reach out to lawmakers from the South-East and South-South, most of who belong to the Peoples Democratic Party and already think that the South- West is against their interest. The Yoruba might then just find itself in the cold. Of course, some would say there is enough consolation in having the vice-presidency but Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had that office without occupying it between 2003 and 2007. Who says that cannot happen again? This is why Yoruba leaders need to stop flexing muscles now and not overreach themselves.

This is why political leaders from the South-West zone must put national interest above personal, and even regional interests. This is why the Yoruba must not present themselves as too ambitious in this dispensation. This is why the Yoruba, in spite of whatever advantage, should toe that popular line of seeking equity, justice and the fair treatment of every part of the country. The Yoruba are very well known for that and championing these virtues at the national level is a good way to actualise the promise of change that they made to the people. Unless this happens, we may soon have to contend with a formidable force, which does not just have the capacity for overrun but is prepared to deploy its arsenal to the eternal regret of the group which was the beautiful bride just one day before.

Everyone has his own opinion though. I totally disagree. Unfortunately I'm about to sleep

The sons of whiners from the beastern region are here! LWMKD..you lost get lost or G and D! Buhari already paid tributes to the same Tinubu and many others in his video interview and specifically mentioned the percolation of a democratic, egalitarian and sophisticated disposition of the Yorubas as one of the great works of our Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Then he mentioned Tinubu and Bisi Akande by name, so what is it with this story?

That votes were given to both candidates shows that the Yorubas are really bright and democratic. It shows that in spite of differences of opinions, the Yorubas know where they should go and this is very evident. The vote patterns in spite of crass rigging by Jonathan could not thwart the wishes of the Yorubas, plus this voting patterns is the reason their is peace in Nigeria. Imagine if the Yorubas gave 99% vote to Buhari like ibos usually do, it reinforces the fundamental problems in Nigeria because people have been reduced to a herd of pigs who all go in one direction only. The ibos are the only ones with this mentality in Nigeria, say a factual thing about how Ibos can do anything for money and deserve the heavy casualties they are suffering in Singapore and Malaysia and watch all ibos go in one direction only: leave the message and attack the messenger! Yorubas are far above the pack and above that bullshit!

I was a supporter of Buhari early on, in fact a supporter of APC when they were still trying to just register their name and I hope Nigeria gets better under the APC and Buhari. However, should Buhari underperform like Jonadafteen, mark it down today, I will be one of the strongest advocates against him! I am sure the overwhelming majority of Yorubas will take a similar position.

Now to the dumbheads, I will leave with you with this: it is not only how many votes the Yorubas gave to APC or Buhari but how many they did not give to Jonadaftteeen that made the big difference! It is the number of states they delivered that made the difference because had they failed to deliver 5 of their 6 states to APC, Buhari would have gotten the same outcome he had since 2003. It took the superior organization of Nigerian from the SW, SS, MB, NW and NC to turn the tide in his favour but it all started in the SW, with the leader of the APC Asiwaju Tinubu to lead the pack and galvanize his lieutenants and resources to positive action and simply provided the leadership that brought Buhari to where he is today!

This has been reharshed severally.

It is expected that the presidency, of whatever party, delivers in its promises, or atleast try to.

It is also expected for it to have most of those it deploys to achieve its promised objectives, from same party or others chosen from outside, in so far as the job given is performed. This is done all over the world.

The Igbo may not get many political appointment like ministers because there aren't many of their representatives in APC to choose from in the first place. And in search of round pegs for round holes, the ones available my have other candidates inside or outside of APC, better fitted for such line or skill.

The Igbo will also not be in line for political leadership like the senate simply because there are no reps for that. The ones there are not of APC (and it will be fool hardy to think ppl will back any of them when there are others of APC who are in line for same posts)

In essence, what many, mostly Yoruba posts have tried to explain is that, Igbo have been doing the same thing theyve done for years, political miscalculation.

Let me paint a scenario. If what the op postulates come to be true, and the Yoruba are left in the cold, who do you think the Igbo will follow?Instead of looking at the situation as an opportunity to pull the Yoruba (who they now share a high level of mutual dislike) close; they will go north! Because that is the defaut setting and its the one that will spite the Yoruba the most- this they will enjoy.

abduljabbar4:
Everyone has his own opinion though. I totally disagree. Unfortunately I'm about to sleep

true, when u wake up then, tell us ur thoughts.

semitunde:
This has been reharshed severally.

It is expected that the presidency, of whatever party, delivers in its promises, or atleast try to.

It is also expected for it to have most of those it deploys to achieve its promised objectives, from same party or others chosen from outside, in so far as the job given is performed. This is done all over the world.

The Igbo may not get many political appointment like ministers because there aren't many of their representatives in APC to choose from in the first place. And in search of round pegs for round holes, the ones available my have other candidates inside or outside of APC, better fitted for such line or skill.

The Igbo will also not be in line for political leadership like the senate simply because there are no reps for that. The ones there are not of APC (and it will be fool hardy to think ppl will back any of them when there are others of APC who are in line for same posts)

In essence, what many, mostly Yoruba posts have tried to explain is that, Igbo have been doing the same thing theyve done for years, political miscalculation.

Let me paint a scenario. If what the op postulates come to be true, and the Yoruba are left in the cold, who do you think the Igbo will follow?Instead of looking at the situation as an opportunity to pull the Yoruba (who they now share a high level of mutual dislike) close; they will go north! Because that is the defaut setting and its the one that will spite the Yoruba the most- this they will enjoy.

the article was actually written by a southwesterner and it is on punch this morning...i wonder why the poster did not provide the link

asha80:
the article was actually written by a southwesterner and it is on punch this morning...i wonder why the poster did not provide the link

OK. My submission still stands though.

Zoning is still the best way out for now except they want to sectionalise the government which is will not be in the best interest of all the different zones in Nigeria. Buhari will be the 'President of Nigeria' not the president of APC, get that into your skull.!

asha80:
the article was actually written by a southwesterner and it is on punch this morning...i wonder why the poster did not provide the link

yup, i wanted to see d neutral stand of d yoruba people here, cos their opinion may differ, if they knew their fellow yoruba was d original writer.

The writer even said the SW gave a paltry 2.4 million votes to GMB. SMH
He should take that from GMB and give it to GEJ and tell us the scores.


However, no region or tribe will lose out if GMB performs well, but we'll all lose if he doesn't.
Legislative posts like the Speaker and Senate Presidency only benefit the holder.
More than 3000 people are in FRSC Training camps in different parts of the country (not publicised) and all these Senators and Members, HoR provided equal number of candidates, but you're here spitting rubbish. You're the real losers.
Facts is, SW will get more developmental attentions from the centre and that's more than any individual glory. Needless to say the SW will still get their fair cut in the power sharing.