@ImohDavid: The fanaticism of Nigerians in politics

by Imoh David

Like religion, anyone who does not worship your God or patronizes your holy-book is a Devil and agent of Satan. Thus “those who are not with us are against us”.

Ajisafe Michael, the humorist and satirical talent “en ink”. Once penned a comment that Nigerians are fanatical and excessive in whatever they support. Like a prophet he was few in the words of his message but my magnetic memory took them to shelter while the spirit of observation was peeping through the window in search of the man’s words. Truly, the humorist dined with the truth when he said the above words.

Give a Nigerian a political party and a politician, he has become a mad dog who listens to no one, tolerates no one and bites everything that passes his face that is not dancing to his political party.

No technicality, no common sense, no issues raised, no facts except in instances where it can be used at the other group. Just a ton of bile, cursive, tantrums and glibness of fanaticism they exude in their political attitude and discussions. “Buhari till I die”, “GEJ whether they like it or not”, “Haters go and die”, etc you hear them chorus. Their Nigerian fanaticism will fart out creativity in the mad dog, barking caustic clauses and tags on their opponents and fan clubs- “Nebutians”, “Bokohari”, “Jonathanians”, “Buharists”, etc.

As they are in religion, so they are in politics. As they worship their pastors and Imams, so they worship their politicians. As they find their religious leaders unquestionable and give blind eyes to their deeds, utterances, actions and history, they do same with their politicians. Religious in political sentiments, they are. Is it truly a Nigerian thing to be vitrolically religious and fanatic?

Some even take the fanaticism further, insisting in dragging people into their sentimental and caustic paranoia by fingering those who refuse to participate in the politics of the contest of mediocrity as bigots, cowards and side supporters of their opposition. Like religion, anyone who does not worship your God or patronizes your holy-book is a Devil and agent of Satan. Thus “those who are not with us are against us”.

The Nigerian fanaticism is bereaves me. The fanatic mind-set of Nigerians in politics and issues is their own grave. Neither party supporters can discuss their candidate or party without using curse words, threat of violence, ethnic and religious tone of bigotry. No discussion of issues, no engagement of idea, just ad hominem and vague rhetorics. And we say we do not deserve those who preside over us?

A typical Nigerian political supporter, upon reading the headline of a news and article, he/she has already decided upon the curses and abuses to render on the newspaper, writer, article and then those of opposing political divide. We are truly a clueless bunch and we need a mental revolution and not a political revolution. Of what use is the political revolution when the people are clearly not in tune with reasoning and deciphering of issues?

A lot of Nigerians do not know the stock exchange market and they do not understand the nitty-gritty of economics. If a news headline should read “Nigerian stock exchange market plunges low”, 95% of Nigerians won’t even bother to peruse. But a case where it reads: ” I am not Sleeping- Jonathan”, their responses will be that of heavy assinity, puerile and clueless blabbing. And more than half of those commenting on the headline have not even read the subject (in the case of an online news). It is Nigerians that are responsible for their woes and it is only Nigerians that can fix Nigeria. The earlier we tame fanaticism and implore level-headed approach to politics by discussing issues and wrestling ideas, the better it shall be for us. We should evolve mentally for good.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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