I am one of the lucky Lagosians that work at an organisation that, after seeing what was possible during #COVID19, decided that coming to the four walls of an office is not the only way to work.
This means that I have to go into the office only twice a week.
This means that I have to go into the office only twice a week.
In one family in Badagry we spoke to, the eldest child, aged 13, was responsible for raising her siblings as both parents worked in Victoria Island, meaning they left the house very early on Monday mornings, and returned very late on Friday evenings.
Social problems ahoy...
Social problems ahoy...
But this thread isn't about traffic in Lagos. It's about something I saw this morning.
My good friend @I_Am_Ilemona, a PDP operative and member of the Atiku Abubakar campaign, had, in the manner natural to politicians, dredged up @elrufai's speech in a tweet.
My good friend @I_Am_Ilemona, a PDP operative and member of the Atiku Abubakar campaign, had, in the manner natural to politicians, dredged up @elrufai's speech in a tweet.
Someone replied, "Let the anambra pple leave first ...weather it will be better afterall anambra is better".
The conversation that followed is interesting.
The conversation that followed is interesting.
Leaving the cringe-worthy spelling aside, going through his Twitter timeline, it becomes immediately clear that this person is doubling down on something that has become a clear part of the Tinubu campaign strategy - emphasising on Pitobi's ethnicity as a negative.
I have written extensively about the Igbophobia that has existed as almost an unwritten policy of the current government, so I will not dwell on it other than to point out that El-Rufai, a Fulani is from Kaduna. Ilemona, an Igala, identifies as being from Kogi State.
It is very interesting that the character that came at him tried to bring in Anambra, and Igbo state.
It speaks to something that has been an uncomfortable part of the Tinubu campaign thus far...
It speaks to something that has been an uncomfortable part of the Tinubu campaign thus far...
Many Arewa, Igbo and Yoruba people on social media have been guilty of ethnic-based politicking.
This can't be denied, and what is more, such acts are more or less inevitable in a fake country made up of many nations forced to squabble over scarce resources.
This can't be denied, and what is more, such acts are more or less inevitable in a fake country made up of many nations forced to squabble over scarce resources.
I find it interesting that repeatedly, members of the Tinubu campaign never react to ethnic-based campaigning from Arewa, but routinely attack all Igbos including those who are not involved in any way in Peter Obi's campaign.
Many of them even go out of their way to project things done by Arewa people on Igbos.
Witness the character in today's Twitter exchange calling Ilemona an "Obidient".
Witness the character in today's Twitter exchange calling Ilemona an "Obidient".
For me, this is a matter of principle.
I have publicly stated my concerns about an Obi presidency.
I have publicly stated my concerns about an Atiku presidency.
However, I am OK with victory for either of them for the simple reason that the APC has failed.
I have publicly stated my concerns about an Obi presidency.
I have publicly stated my concerns about an Atiku presidency.
However, I am OK with victory for either of them for the simple reason that the APC has failed.
There are many things I have against a Tinubu presidency, but what counts against it first is this: he represents a party that has fucked #Nigeria up for eight years.
You can't reward failure.
We rewarded failure in 2019, look where we are now.
You can't reward failure.
We rewarded failure in 2019, look where we are now.
In addition to that, the signs around Tinubu are not good.
The man is clearly unwell and incapable of coping with the strains of the office.
In the last 15 years we have had two occasions where #Nigeria's President was ill and incapable of discharging his official duties.
The man is clearly unwell and incapable of coping with the strains of the office.
In the last 15 years we have had two occasions where #Nigeria's President was ill and incapable of discharging his official duties.
Neither went well for #Nigeria.
Why should we with clear eyes walk into another such situation?
It makes no sense.
Why should we with clear eyes walk into another such situation?
It makes no sense.
A word to Arewa people: the Tinubu crew are looking away from your jibes because they want your vote.
They have clearly discounted the South-East, hence Tinubu's actions during his "consultation" in which he visited various states in Arewa, and various states in the South-West,
They have clearly discounted the South-East, hence Tinubu's actions during his "consultation" in which he visited various states in Arewa, and various states in the South-West,
The South-East traditionally has the lowest number of registered voters (about 45% of Igbos in #Nigeria live outside of Igboland), and layered on that is that the region traditionally has low voter turnout.
I repeat, as an electoral strategy, especially if you want to play Mason-Dixon-type politics, it is fine.
You do not stress an old man who is ill with visits to places that have βlimitedβ electoral value.
You do not stress an old man who is ill with visits to places that have βlimitedβ electoral value.
But the way the Tinubu guys react to Igbo people and unlook Arewa jibes, do not for one second think that if they get what they want, they will not finally react to your mad jibes.
To all Nigerians, what the Tinubu campaign is trying to do is to create a siege mentality first among his supporters, and then among his ethnic fellow Yoruba people.
From a strategic viewpoint, it is a fine strategy.
From a strategic viewpoint, it is a fine strategy.
What you need to understand though is this: however the next elections turn out, regardless of who wins, #Nigeria is faced with a difficult four years.
If you think things are bad now, let's resume this discussion at the end of 2024.
If you think things are bad now, let's resume this discussion at the end of 2024.
Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have spoken about the mess we are in.
What we have heard from Tinubu is silence, and multiple Houdini acts.
What we have heard from Tinubu is silence, and multiple Houdini acts.
The man has shown us how he would govern. He would not speak to us, and when we make more demands, he will disappear, and his supporters would actively try to turn us on each other.
A word is enough for the wise.
A word is enough for the wise.
Loading suggestions...