Edo 2024 :When Politics Gets Dirty: A Wake-Up Call For Edo’s APC Aspirants By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah 

Edo 2024 :When Politics Gets Dirty: A Wake-Up Call For Edo’s APC Aspirants By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah 

I have always been proud to be an Edo man. I constantly give thanks to God for this privilege, and I wouldn’t mind continuing to be one in the afterlife. The pride and ego of Edo people is something they take great delight in, yet there are limits and a negative aspect to this.

Whether you approve or not, the Edo elections will undoubtedly take center stage, making it unsurprising that they are currently the most extensively discussed topic on the crucial platform of social media.

The upcoming Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa State elections, scheduled for this year, might not receive as much attention as Edo’s elections, set to take place more than a year away.

However, it is essential to clarify that this difference in media coverage is not attributed to any shortcomings on their part but rather due to the unique and distinct political sophistication that characterizes Edo’s politics.

It is disheartening to witness numerous followers of various candidates making concerted efforts to bring down other APC contestants by spreading scandals against them. Some mistakenly believe that dimming the light of their rivals will make their own candidate shine brighter.

Engaging in such actions is entirely misguided, as any attempts to undermine fellow APC aspirants today will undoubtedly be weaponized by opposition parties during the general elections. “When you throw a stone at your neighbor’s house, be prepared for your own roof to be shattered.”

Let me illustrate this point using the case of President Tinubu as a pertinent example.

In truth, the derogatory and baseless stories about Tinubu, such as the false claims of him wearing diapers and being referred to as “shaky shaky daddy,” originated from the followers of Osinbajo and Rotimi Amaechi.

Unapologetically, these individuals orchestrated a vehement hate campaign against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a factual statement that these followers initiated this negative game well before the APC presidential primaries.

The impact of this campaign on Tinubu’s candidacy was evident, leading him to become the most vilified aspirant on social media. The opposition further fueled this hatred, employing it as a potent tool against him in the last general elections.

Nevertheless, Tinubu’s legendary political acumen, intelligence, and strategic prowess were the determining factors that allowed him to emerge despite these challenges.

Why engage in undermining fellow aspirants when many others are yet to enter the race? Let this serve as a cautionary message: the competition should not escalate to a malicious level of tearing down fellow APC aspirants, as it will not improve anyone’s chances.

“When you cut down your neighbor’s tall grass, beware of snakes lurking in your own.”

Regardless of who emerges as the flag bearer, these leaders will find ways to reconcile and unite before, during, and after their party primaries. Instead of wasting time trying to discredit one another, they should focus on promoting their own candidate. “Unity is strength; division is weakness.”

Exercise caution in what you disseminate today, as tomorrow your chosen candidate may become the running mate to the aspirant you have vehemently demonized.

Focus on building your self-worth and exploring creative avenues to enhance your value, enabling you to remain consistently relevant to these politicians. Instead of employing creativity negatively to undermine others, use it positively to uplift yourself and contribute constructively to the political landscape. “He who digs a pit for others will fall into it himself.”

Your actions could potentially jeopardize your principal, and it’s essential to remember that only those without fault should cast the first stone.

This serves as a warning from Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, the President, and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.

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