RIGHT from time, from 2007 to be precise, it has been a tug of war between Abiola Ajimobi and Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State. The two started the war in the 2007 state governorship elections. Ajimobi, who was then the flag bearer of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), lost to Alao Akala of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Since four years periodic election is the stipulation of our constitution, another governorship election was held in the state four years after. Ajimobi, again, contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Alao Akala on the same platform of PDP. This time around, the story changed. Ajimobi had the highest votes while Alao-Akala came second, which means that he, Ajimobi, now carries the mantle of leadership of the state.

Four years after, another festival of election took place in the state between these two warriors and among others. Ajimobi, the incumbent governor, re-contested on the platform of All Progressive Congress and Akala, for the Labour Party. After the election, Akala again lost to Ajimobi by coming third in the political race.

Since or before 2007, thousands of lives and property have been lost and damaged in the name of elections. As part of Nigeria election characteristics, many lost their lives before, during and after the three gubernatorial elections. Many were seriously injured in the name of loyalty to these two politicians.

According to reports, most of those who died during an electioneering season were youths. Our youths are too catholic than the Pope. They give blind political followership. In fact, some of them are used as political thugs by these politicians for their selfish ambitions, while their children are abroad, having reaped from the sweat of these thugs.

Many of these youths who are meant to be friends, so as to serve as a formidable voice for the youths, are now enemies because of political differences. Though, it is natural and normal for the youths not to share the same political ideology, all the same it must not get to the level of hatred and killing of one another. If one goes on the social media, one would see the way and manner the youths throw foul words at one another in the name of defending their political leaders.

Sadly, many of them are not even known or catered for by these politicians. Politicians are usually busy enriching themselves while the youths come online to make unnecessary dins at each other. Many have gone far to ‘block’ themselves just because of their loyalty to one politician or the other. All these have or are still happening between and among the youths in Nigeria, Oyo state not being an exception.

However, it should be pointed out that not all these youths join the bandwagon. Because of poverty, many have to involve themselves in election violence to eke out a living. Unemployment is also a cause of political violence by youths during election. When these jobless youths are given tokens, cups of rice, etc., all they begin to do is to support the candidacy of such a person to any length.

Some of those referred to as area boys, garage boys, cults and members of road transport workers are also deployed as tools for creating violence before, during and after elections. Since most of the above mentioned are illiterates, except those in the cults, they are easily enticed and manipulated with little cash. Politicians also make use of higher institution cultists to actualize their dream in a violent and cruel way. These sets of youths are the key players in the “politics of do or die.”

May I seek the attention of readers to claim that our politicians are promoters of criminal activities in the society. One shouldn’t forget that the weapons distributed to these youths are not recovered from them after the election. After elections, they use the lethal weapons to engage in all manner of criminal activities which are detrimental to the society.

Hence, the graph of criminal activities rise dramatically day after day. What then happens is that it becomes very difficult for the government that once ‘used’ them to flush them out of the society. It is against this background that the reunion of Akala and Ajimobi becomes interesting and instructive.

Ever since the 2007 elections, Akala and Ajimobi have always appeared amiable, at least when they meet in public. It should be recalled that the duo embraced at the reception of Iyalode Ibadan in 2007 after the election. A similar thing happened after 2011 elections. The one that took many by surprise was that which happened recently at the Adegoke Adelabu post-humus centenary birthday celebration. These two warriors of Oyo politics embraced openly, which was described by one newspaper as “signaling an end to their political bitterness.” If this is true, which I think is the case, what then is the fate of those youths?

To prove the fact that he’s ready to put an end to all the differences, Alao-Akala joined or purportedly joined APC. Whatever may be the case, he’s in support of Ajimobi, his erstwhile political opponent. Akala has also vowed not to return to PDP, supposedly leading his supporters to the APC.

Another national newspaper also reported “his defection to the APC in Oyo State would most possibly spell the death of the opposition in the state.” Ajimobi on his own part described the coming of Akala to APC as a good omen for the party and Oyo State in general. And he has also gone further to refer to Akala as his ‘boss.’ All these symbolize the burying of the hatchet of political hatred and bitterness between them.

With these outward manifestations, words and actions, it requires little or no imagination to discover the fact that the duo of Akala and Ajimobi have reunited. Additionally, now that they are or will be in the same party, it simply means that they will have many things to do in common to serve the interest of the party and the state.

The lesson

It is known to all that in politics, there is no permanent friend or enemy. Akala and Ajimobi were once political foes; today, they are united. My concern is to those youths that are supporters of either to the bone marrow. The question for those that can die for one politician as against the other is: now that those for whom you are killing yourselves are ‘one’, what is your fate? This question is crying for answer.

Let’s even talk about those that have lost their lives or whose properties were damaged before, during and after the three elections. Who are they going to wage war against, now? What is the gain from all the problems they’ve caused to themselves and families? To those that have become enemies because of either Ajimobi or Alao-Akala, where are those you are fighting for? Is it not that you have only been wasting precious time?

Wake up! I mean, you should wake up from your long slumber, Nigerian youths. Politicians are not worth dying for since, those that were enemies yesterday are or will be friends today and vice versa, why should you stress yourself over them? Let’s begin to think…

It is high time we got focused and determined and abstained from all forms of distractions caused by the (chameleonic) politicians. Those we claim to die for have built their career and have enjoyed life so much—even before we were born.

Ajimobi and Akala are now happily working together. Yes, it is normal. It will leave a well-meaning youth thinking of the need not to embrace blind followership or blind loyalty to politicians. Let us consider for a moment: what has become of those that have died in the course of giving support for one of these men? Where are they today? (is it even my business). Anyway, may their gentle souls find peace. (Amen).

• Ogun is a 200 Level Law Student, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye ( [email protected])