By JOSHUA OLUWASAYO
The ethnic politics played in Lagos in the last election didn’t just start.
It is not about Obi or Gbadebo.
It has always been there, only got to a crescendo in the last election.
It is one of the winning strategies of politicians, including the ruling party. It comes up at every election cycle.
It was used in 2019. We had JIMIchukwu in 2015 etc.
What happened in Lagos was unexpected.
A few months ago, so many people on this platform complained about the subtle ethnic and religious politics played by some of our leaders.
A way to know the adopted strategy of an organization is through repeated statements by the leaders and their associates (e.g. We developed Lagos. Tell him to go to Anambra. It is Igbo Agenda etc).
It is about politics. Not tribe.
It is about different Yoruba political camps asking for the support of non-indigenes.
Camp A asked for their support.
Camp B, through Engr Joe Igbokwe also asked for their support.
Camp B is only saying EITHER YOU SUPPORT MY CAMP OR WE TURN IT INTO A ROUGH PLAY (‘We have begged you. If you are not supporting us, don’t come out…’).
Bode George, Rhodes-Vivour, Bucknor etc are not Igbos. Just that their political camp is different from that of the ruling party.
When you look deeper at the situation, you are likely to see it differently from what politicians want you to see.
Thank you.
Joshua Oluwasayo wrote from FESTAC, Lagos.
