Emuleomo Adebayo: The similarities between Batman vs Superman and PDP vs APC

This is not a rejoinder to any article.

I was discussing with a couple of colleagues about the movie; Dawn of Justice – Batman versus Superman. Such an awesome movie if you ask me but then, I did feel like it had too many unnecessary and extended scenes.

Superhero movies are meant to be all out action -the gritty, total destruction kind of carnage like The Age of Ultron, an awesome superhero movie.

Worthy of note is the fight between Batman- an avenger for justice and Superman who also shares the same objective.

But then, what was the use of the fight? Why couldn’t they, at some point before they satisfied their egotistic and maniacal lust for masculine dominance, sit down over a cup of brewing coffee and discuss their differences?

Stupid question? Let me finish.

With the toys he has, his billions in inheritance and sometimes ingenious tactics, Batman already created for himself a formidable crime fighter reputation in Gotham, like a very badass no-nonsense superhero hell bent on eliminating psychopathic criminals from the society and ensuring they remain in Arkham Asylum, which is not a bad life goal to be honest.

The thrill, the fast paced nature and the uncertainty of his adventures are all worth dedicating a whole life to. Oh! The Batman also doesn’t kill these criminals. He pummels them until they slip into coma… then the actual law enforcement agency takes over from there.

Superman, the indestructible (if kryptonite didn’t exist) superhero already carved a ‘savior of mankind’ reputation for himself. With his almost unmatched strength, regenerative abilities and sharp mind he could as well be the savior of mankind, and also bring the ultimate destruction of the human race.

Now, these two enigmatic heroes, despite the blatant similarities in their personal convictions and purpose, still squared off against each other in an epic fight that left so much damage that would cost billions and quite some time to fix. They are both superheroes fighting to rid the world of evil – yet they fought each other almost to the death.

I will purposely ignore Lex Luthor here for two reasons. First being, the Luthor portrayed in the movie had too much of the ‘Joker’ in him instead of the cool billionaire entrepreneur who would stop at nothing to destroy the Superman that we are accustomed to.

Second, anyone can blame Luthor for orchestrating the face-off between Batman and Superman but the truth remains that a basic lack of faith in others and their respective purpose, as well as an underlying selfish desire to be the one and sole hero in the eyes of the people made Superman ignore Batman’s humanitarian records and assume the worst -that he had gone rogue.

Batman too, as if he had the monopoly of good intentions for humanity could not stand the idea of an all-powerful indestructible savior of Metropolis. It would be too ego-crushing to find another hero not far from Gotham who can fly and do other incredible things.

Batman was willing to bet on the 1% chance that Superman would go rogue on humanity and destroy it while Superman was quick to get sucked into Luthor’s web because he lacked faith in the good of humanity- in this case, Batman.

They both acted according to their perception of each other when they should have focused more on the intentions of the other person.

The dilemma of the Superheroes is not unlike the political space occupied by Nigerian youths as of today.

What Batman and Superman realized very late into the movie was that they shared a common enemy who while the silly and egotistic superheroes were busy bickering and throwing kryptonite gas at each other, was putting finishing touches to a grand plan to introduce a monster more powerful than the both of them.

Since Nigerian youths realized this new found superpower of insulting, criticising and finally voting out a sitting president, things have continued to spiral politically for the country.

Instead of fighting a common enemy, which in Nigeria’s case would be ‘common enemies’, Nigerians are busy dancing to the tune of an invisible Lex Luthor and fighting for supremacy along party lines. This is most appalling to say the least.

The political space of the country has so far been reduced to a supremacy battle between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party by these unseen Luthors, and the youths have foolishly danced to this tune of hatred and political segregation instead of focusing on notable achievements that would precipitate into development for the nation.

A simple question about the plan of the APC led government for the nation as evidenced in its last 10 months would elicit an answer bordering on another question on the achievement of the 16 year rule of the PDP.

Nobody wants to face reality anymore!

The truth is, the country is in an economic chaos!

It is more than terrible that over 400 people were killed by Fulani Herdsmen in Agatu, Benue state and nobody has taken the rap for this calculated genocide.

It is unfathomable that the queues at filling stations that are twice longer than Brazilian anacondas have lasted for almost a month now and the President has not said a word, not even a halfhearted ramble to give temporary succor to the populace.

It is disgraceful that our Super Eagles could not even afford a ticket to the next AFCON for the second consecutive time.

Let’s not even talk about the current power situation.

At the risk of coming off as a PDP enthusiast, I shall say no more about these ‘common enemies’.

Nigerians need to wake up! The heroes of a country are its youths and the said youths need to stand up to the responsibility of being heroes.

So what if I criticize the current government even though I voted for the other party? So what? I am a Nigerian, you are a Nigerian and whatever happens to the country today or in the nearest future largely constitutes how better or worse off our lives would be.

The main question here is, what are you fighting for? APC, PDP or a first world country called Nigeria?

It’s not yet late to rearrange focus.

In the said movie, at the point where Batman was about to drive the kryptonite spear into the alien heart of Superman, an epiphany occurred much to the favor of mankind. Batman realized the futility of his fight against Superman. He realized almost too late that the real enemy worth destroying was Lex Luthor, the billionaire brainchild.

Perhaps the most important lesson to learn from the movie comes from the emergence of the gigantic and powerful Doomsday.

While the Superheroes were busy fighting each other off for no good reason, the enemy was able to create a bigger, more monstrous and dangerous enemy that proved to be stronger than the egotistic duo of Batman and Superman.

It took a Wonderwoman to save the day!

People with different political perceptions are not supposed to be enemies, as long as they share the common goal of the development of our Nigeria.

PDP is not APC’s enemy, APC is not PDP’s enemy and until our superhero youths begin to think along this line and demand results from our leaders irrespective of their political parties, a bigger monster than fuel scarcity, Boko Haram, poverty would continue to fester in the shadows.

God save us if it ever gets out.

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