Political Rallies in Nigeria And Pursuing Ecosystem of Tolerance

It is too early here to be writing on politics. But after reading comments on a post yesterday where I commended President Buhari for how he has put a decent ecosystem, making it easier for young people to do political rallies with limited intimidations, many drew contrasts asking: yes, Labour Party (Peter Obi’s party) can do rallies in Abuja, Ibadan, etc, but could APC (Tinubu) and PDP (Atiku) have the same opportunities in Southeast? 

First, my understanding is that APC and PDP have held “presidential” marches in Imo and Ebonyi states. The challenge is this: not many people showed up, but no person was intimidated. 

I am from Abia State. My senator is APC. My House representative is APC. My state assembly is APC. My village voted APC in the governorship. In short, Ovim voted against all incumbent parties in the last election.

 Rallies do not win elections; voting does. But we must avoid using any perceived lack of excitement on some politicians to attack or diminish any part of Nigeria. Buhari has done fairly well by removing the usual intimidations, and I can say let the citizens rally! I expect Atiku and Tinubu in Aba in the coming months just as I expect Obi in Maiduguri and Ibadan. May the best person #win.

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Comment: I’m still curious though Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe. It’s good to praise the President for this kinda demeanour, however, using the other way by the President and his clique could also send wrong signal to the world that he isn’t practicing the freedom of speech.

The body language of the President seems to be a thing of worry for the APC team, as some of them are already claiming that the President isn’t giving APC that full momentum it needs to win this election. But let’s see how this turns out in 2023 Ndubuisi Ekekwe

 My Response: Buhari can support his party while making sure elections are free and fair. That is what we expect from him. I do not expect him to campaign with Obi or Atiku. But I hope he will not make it harder for them to campaign. Unlike past elections, I am yet to read that Police arrested young people for these rallies (sure Ebony state issue is bad but that is an isolated case). In past elections, getting permits to rally was politicized. Today, they even send the Police to make sure there is no problem. That has to be commended. Buhari does not need to make things hard for PDP, LP, etc so that he can be praised by APC. He is the president of Nigeria, not president of APC.

 Comment 2: Labour Party isn’t in control of any State in South East. APC controls 2 States and PDP 2 States. If the Parties can’t do rallies in the States they control- blame bad governance than any other issue. Since the return of democracy in 1999. South East and South South have been the main stay of PDP not any other regions of Nigeria. It’s befuddling that any one can choose to ignore these stark facts to issinuate bias. Concrete progress in life must be anchored on data. Emotions are a bridge to nowhere.