On political killings

Since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999, the country has witnessed a few unresolved political assassinations. Consequently, several parts of the country today are enmeshed in political intolerance leading to loss of lives as well as destruction of private and public properties. The gun is beginning to rule and ruin our country. While some of the killings were discountenanced as ordinary murders, the timing of killings leaves no doubt that they were politically motivated.

Actions by the government and law enforcement agencies to stem the ugly tide and find the killers of innocent souls were insufficient and ineffective. Alas, ever before the 2019 general election in Nigeria, there was a growing trend that reduced everything to politics in the country. This tendency became so common then that relationships at nearly every level called for caution.

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Though politics all over the world is about canvassing ideas that would make the electorate choose their leaders by ballot. But recent developments tend only to promote hate, violence, killing, maiming and fear. Not only have politicians of opposing parties been intolerant of each other; they endanger public safety as well, all at winning an election at all cost.

Being intolerant of the political views of others is as bad as rotten eggs, but to give an erroneous impression that other subsequent elections are war instead of election, is also very bad and condemnable. Accusing a father, for instance, of shooting his own son over political differences and affiliation, can no longer be accepted as politics. Sadly enough, political leaders who should provide the needed political education to their followers are not able to moderate their utterances.

They are doing nothing to discourage the youths from reducing political activities to gun fights. It is a shame that politicians are now associated with plans to edge out opponents by all means possible. They also care less about the peace and safety of the citizens they pretend to love. These political jobbers forget that politics is not supposed to be robbery or a do or die affair. There is no need to remind those in politics that they are first and foremost members of the same community, sometimes even linked by blood, this is not what politics can wash away.

In fact, politics is supposed to be for the good of the people and not otherwise. The tide is saddened by the fact that some people have actually killed themselves, while politicians’ family members are living fine to the detriment of masses. It has tended to emboldened politicians to engage jobless youths to inflict violence on opposing parties. It is worrisome that youths who should bring positive change to the practice of politics have allowed themselves to be used as tools and instruments to further endanger electioneering in Nigeria.

Political intolerance remains a major problem of our dear country, shedding blood of innocent souls has become the order of the day, bloodletting is now rampant in the country, indeed, political intolerance is a form of hatred, rejection and prejudice which people develop against fellow human beings due to tribalism, religious difference and many more. Politicians must do everything to moderate themselves and around the pitfalls of the earlier republics in Nigeria. They must show that they know what politics is all about and that they have what it takes to provide leadership and not violence.

Aliykhal Lanre,

Abeokuta