One of my close relatives recently had an argument with a Bola Tinubu supporter who was appalled that she, a South-South Nigerian whose tribe has some cultural links to the Yorubas could be a Peter Obi supporter. The argument started with the simple question of: who are you voting for president? But it ended with both seeing themselves as somewhat unreasonable to put it mildly. Both of them based their support on the shaky ground of tribal sentiment and cultural stereotypes. Most Nigerians have at least one cultural stereotype of their neighbouring tribe. Often, these stereotypes are not baseless. They usually have enough substance to persuade the shallow minded into arriving at conclusions that would seriously affect their judgement and decisions when interacting with individuals from these ethnic groups. Many Igbo parents would oppose their son or daughter marrying a Yoruba or an Hausa. Likewise many Yoruba families will not accept the marriage proposal from an Igbo family. These decisions are usually based on stereotypes.

There is multiple evidence that points to the foolishness of basing important decisions on stereotypes. A look at the marriage decision of the PSquare Brothers – Peter and Paul Okoye where the twin music superstars married differently and had different outcomes so far, illustrates the foolishness of thinking that a union or partnership of kinsmen leads to successful outcomes. Successful outcomes are based on the content of the character of the individual in questions and not on their tribe, race, or gender. One of the most successful European leaders of the last three decades is a woman – Angela Merkel. One of the most efficient and successful and scandal free leaders of the “free” world in the last four decades is a Black man – Barack Obama. One of the most corruption-free leaders in Nigeria in the last five decades of our history is an Ijaw man – Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. 

The argument is not that stereotypes are always wrong, it is that stereotyping individuals according to their tribe and race is what racism is all about, and it leads to wrong decision-making and outcomes. For those still supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu after all the evidence before us – past and present, I dare say – you are worth declaring as evil and unreasonable. Tinubu is not physically and mentally fit to lead Nigeria. Tinubu’s mentees from Babatunde Fashola to Lai Mohammed and Remi Tinubu are enough to map his character for those in doubt about the content of his character which should be the best pointer to the outcome of his presidency. We are too deep in a mess to play with the outcome of the next election. We must vote for the men or women who can fight the two giants in the room called Nigeria. Because if we don’t kill insecurity and corruption which evidently Tinubu cannot kill, it will kill what is remaining of what we call Nigeria.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers