Every election season in the last couple of years, especially since the beginning of the fourth republic, has brought to the fore a negative tendency that must never be allowed to fester. Each time an election comes we begin to remember that there are indigenes and settlers. Lagos is gradually becoming a hotbed of ethnic bigotry and political violence against non-indigenes. This dangerous dimension to Lagos politics has continued to grow in dimension and scope, while the politicians pretend not to notice.
What all of this points to is the fact that the peace accord often signed by contestants each time there is an election, is done just to fulfill all righteousness. The political elite have continued to fan the embers of violence which often leads loss of lives all in the name of elections.
The Lagos wherein some of us were born into has never been this bad. Truth be told, the more street vandals and urchins we produce the more volatile Lagos becomes. Sadly, the state governments have barely raised a finger of caution let alone reprimand or prosecute offenders. It may be politically expedient for the politicians to encourage and grow this population of violators because it is convenient or because it benefits them today, what we fail to realize is that tomorrow these same people will become a threat to all.
We do not need to seek too far to draw examples. When the northern elite chose to subjugate and suppress the population of their youth because they can always draw from that population to foment trouble for political advantage, the least of their worries is what confronts them today. Today, many of them are living in ‘exile’ in city capitals because they are afraid of being killed in their country homes.
The rising population of out-of-school children is particularly evident in sub-Saharan Africa with Nigeria as the epicenter. As of October 2022, about 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
According to the World Bank, Nigeria, in 2020, had more than 11 million out-of-school children between the ages of 6 and 15. This figure represents 1 in 12 of all out-of-school children globally and 22 per cent of all children in the age group in Nigeria.
It is not a coincidence that the north today has the greatest population of out-of-school children. The reason for this too is not far-fetched. Denying them education is the surest way to perpetually subjugate them. That explains why the very rich and insignificant population of politically-exposed individuals from that region live in a sea of extremely poor population.
Henry Peter Brougham, a British statesman who became Lord High Chancellor and played a prominent role in passing the 1832 Reform Act and 1833 Slavery Abolition Act, it was who said education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.
Is Lagos, a supposed centre of excellence, happy to see this growing population of thugs and touts? Is Lagos too poor to frontally address the spectre of out-of-school children or too weak to curtail the activities of touts or is it all about politics?
The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is an enigma of sorts whose political craftsmanship is unparalleled by any in the present generation of the political class. He has not only grown a population of acolytes but also dozens of political disciples whom he has nurtured to great heights.
But pray, must everyone belong to his camp? What is wrong, in a democracy, for people to hold dissenting views? Why should anybody’s life be threatened to maintain Tinubu’s political hegemony?
Whoever means well for the state will not encourage the brigandage that goes on at every election cycle all in the name of protecting and preserving the status quo. If anything, it only encourages the need for change. Politicians cannot expect to win all the time.
These spate of violence in Lagos clearly has the support of some political elite who use these street urchins to perpetuate their grip on the politics of Lagos. We live in an age where a Yoruba almost became the prime minister of Britain? Why can’t we work and build a nation where a Yoruba can be governor outside the south west so long as he is accepted and voted for and vice versa?
It’s disgusting and appalling to hear people say supporting anybody outside the choice of the APC in Lagos would mean hating the Yoruba. Really? Does democracy not grant the people the freedom of choice?
Everybody who should arrest this drift to anarchy is pretending not to see the activities of some barefaced warmongers on social media threatening fire and brimstone against anyone who votes against their preferred candidates, because their interests are being protected.
Whereas it is easy to predict or begin a war, it’s not as easy to predict the end and the casualty arising from such conflagrations. They might as well consume the progenitors and promoters. If you doubt this, go ask President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Some few years ago, the Lagos monarch openly threatened death against Ndigbo if they voted contrary to their expectations. He went away with it. Today, some charlatans on social media are threatening to do the same and everybody seem not to notice.
Some have even advanced this sad course by burning and destroying business interests of Ndigbo just because they chose to differ. Are these criminals saying only Ndigbo voted Peter Obi in Lagos or that no non-indigene voted for Tinubu? Why must the target be Ndigbo?
In a democracy, is it through coercion or brute force that votes are won or through persuasion and conviction? As our nation grapples with the problems of insecurity created by a wicked elite in the north, is that what our politicians in the south wish for Lagos? It may be convenient for those in office today to encourage violence and grow a population of vandals, tomorrow we shall be confronted with the consequences of our today’s actions or inactions.
I am not a politician, so I have a clear head and conscience in saying this. Is anyone listening?
