What about ‘Uncle’ Dino? He turned himself to a laughing stock on the stage to ridicule Tinubu’s apparent physical and mental infirmity. Though I don’t pity Tinubu; he exposes himself to ridicule in order to actualize his purported ‘before-creation’ and ‘immemorial’ ambition.
Nigerians are warming up for election. That does not mean we are ready to vote en masse. Some will definitely vote if the election takes place. Many are only excited to see those who shall emerge winners at the end of the poll. Yet, they are those whose interest is in analysis—analyzing who wins or loses at the end and ‘why’ and ‘how’ they win or lose. Don’t ask me how I am warming up; but rest assured that I am warming up.
Electioneering means appealing to electorate to vote or not to vote for certain candidates. In the process of doing that, campaigners come up with different manners of entertaining their spectators; and as we know, Nigerians are good entertainers with unique sense of humor. I should think that that ability to smile in the face of hardship, or while being tortured, is possibly why Nigerians are not committing suicide. For, the hardship experienced in Nigeria since the COVID-19 lockdown, up to the time of this writing, is enough to ‘justify’ suicide. But thankfully, our religion and culture are against suicide. No one should embark on such ignoble mission.
COVID which many (government apologists) capitalized on to rationalize the widespread hardship had long gone but hardship in Nigeria has stubbornly refused to go with COVID. Is there anyone outside there who is still not convinced that hardship in Nigeria is an artificial one which is government-inflicted? The current needless naira scarcity should convince you. That is why each time I see Nigerian comedians and entertainers displaying what joblessness has turned them to, I admire their lightheartedness despite the strangulating hardship. Though comedy or entertainment is not something to be addicted to—especially for thoughtful people—at least, it shows how resilient Nigerians are. I am proud to be a Nigerian.
This said, I read about one of the APC campaign outings somewhere in Adamawa State. It was a campaign where men dressed in women’s attires to express their avowal and support for a gubernatorial candidate who is a woman. This woman is, no doubt, a household name in Adamawa State politics. She is Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed—popularly known as Aishatu Binani. Some even call her Gimbiyar Adamawa (the Princess of Adamawa).
She defeated six political heavyweights (all men), including a former governor, to secure the APC governorship ticket in Adamawa State. She had been a member of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly and a serving Senator in the current 9th Assembly (the only female serving senator from the north). She is neither a dancing senator nor is she a sleeping one. She has not only moved motions in support of bills, she has also sponsored many bills.
What did she do when she saw her male supporters dressed like women in a campaign outing? She definitely does not like to lose her supporters. At the same time, she was not comfortable seeing men looking like her—because of her. It is a taboo in her culture. The act is also cursed in her religion (Islam). Then, she displayed a rare shrewdness which is very uncommon with Nigerians when in power or seeking power. Though she bears Aisha, she seems not to be like those Aishas who, by virtue of being married to some powerful men in Nigeria, became power-drunk. Power is transit; one has to be very careful while wielding it.
Rather than being carried away by those goading her ego for crumbs, she told those men who childishly dressed like women to REMAIN MEN. This is how unscrupulous masses goad politicians such that they (politicians) start misbehaving. Binani, for her reaction, is an exception. She reportedly frowned at the effeminate display by her male supporters. While thanking them for their support, she pleaded to those dressing like women to stop it as she has respect for all men and expects men to remain men.
This madness, in the name of comedy and entertainment, during campaigns should stop. While supporters have all the rights to support their candidates, those rights should be exercised responsibly. You do not need a display of madness before you convince your paymasters that you love and support them. One should not be childish and irresponsible because of politics. What if your candidate loses at the end? Bootlickers are shameless people anyway.
It is this shamelessness that made someone, few days ago, ridiculed himself in an attempt to wash the stinking stool of his paymaster on camera. He claimed the bullion vans in 2019 missed their way into the house of an alleged Lion of Bourdillon. This is the height of irresponsibility and foolishness. I don’t think his wife and children (if he has any) will take him seriously anymore. When leaders surround themselves with terrible praise-singers of this pitiable category, one can only expect colossal failure. I asked myself; “What is my offence?” “Why hasn’t bullion van strayed into my house all this while?” You can also ask yourself similar questions! This unprecedented level of stupidity was displayed all in an attempt to please and defend a candidate.
What about ‘Uncle’ Dino? He turned himself to a laughing stock on the stage to ridicule Tinubu’s apparent physical and mental infirmity. Though I don’t pity Tinubu; he exposes himself to ridicule in order to actualize his purported ‘before-creation’ and ‘immemorial’ ambition. He is the most ridiculed presidential aspirant in Nigerian recorded and oral history—next to none. But Dino’s falling on stage to caricature and dramatize Tinubu’s infirmity is pushing entertainment to the extreme point. Only unschooled child should be found doing this.
Some of these supporters should unlearn their mastery of display of madness (if they are not actually mad) in showcasing, marketing, and window-dressing their candidates. This election is not a do or die affair. Some will definitely win; yet many will lose. Do not kill yourself.
I hope political office seekers will learn from Aishatu Binani. She shrewdly and subtly dissociated herself from that madness displayed by her effeminate male supporters; yet, without upsetting them. She politely asked them to “REMAIN MEN.”
We should not, because of votes, tolerate the wrongs, stupidity, and exaggerations of supporters. It is God that gives power. Conversely, it is Satan that prods power wielders to abuse it. May we not be victims of power abusers in Nigeria anymore. Let’s vote wisely and entrust our affairs to The Almighty. We pray He choose the best leaders for us at all levels.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen