- Photo: Osinbajo*
By Victor Popoola
The day was Monday, 11th April, 2022. I woke up to see the news that VP Yemi Osinbajo has declared for the presidency of Nigeria. I was sad. In fact, I was sorrowful. Though it wasn’t a total surprise; after all, the signs and speculations were rife that he would declare. Privately and quietly, I prayed to God to give my dear VP the inner strength to resist the temptation and pressure to declare. At last, he declared.
Why wouldn’t I want PYO to declare? Is he not qualified? Far from it! He is eminently qualified. Do I have any stone to grind with him? Definitely no! As a matter of fact, I love PYO. Who will not love him? An unassuming, easy going man, with peaceful disposition; a highly cerebral and erudite scholar; and an orator whose kind is rare in Nigeria political space, just to mention a few of his qualities. Many times, I imagine PYO standing at the United Nations General Assembly addressing world leaders as Nigerian president. Just imagining it makes me feel proud as a Nigerian.
However, as wonderful as PYO’s qualifications are, the timing is wrong for him to vie for the presidency. I believe that deep down within him, he knows, but somehow ambition overrode reasoning. On three grounds, I will submit that the ambition of PYO at this very time is not only inappropriate, it is immoral. My intention is that we can all learn from this occurrence.
One, as a Yoruba man and a member of same political family with Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), it is immoral for PYO to have contested the APC primary. The Yorubas pride themselves as a people of highly deep cultural and moral values, one of which is utmost respect to elders and leaders. We defer our desires or ambitions, at times painfully, to allow our leaders and/or elders have their ways. That is why an early bird young person can give up his/her seat to a late comer adult.
Not only that BAT is senior to PYO, more importantly, the two belong to the same political family. Yorubas will say; “Adiye o kin je ifun ara won”, meaning “same family members don’t undo themselves”. PYO might be more qualified than BAT, but the fact that BAT is the recognized leader of that political family and had showed interest in that office, PYO should have conceded to his leader. It would be better for Amaechi, or Lawal, or Onu to beat BAT than for PYO to beat him.
Two, BAT is a benefactor of PYO. Whether PYO openly admits it or not, it is unarguable that PYO’s rise to political stardom is made possible by the benevolence of God using some individuals, among who is BAT. For PYO to have contested that ticket with BAT is a mark of ungratefulness. You don’t bite the hand that once fed you. No ambition is worth that.
Three, as a Christian, it is inappropriate and immoral for PYO to have contested that primary election with BAT. While there may not be a direct scripture in the Bible that addresses this scenario, there are however examples of events in the Bible that teach us that the younger (or follower) should defer to the senior (or leader) whenever their interests clash.
A good example of the above will be the contestation between father Abraham and Lot, Abraham’s cousin, for a grazing land for their animals. Father Abraham conceded (against the norm) to Lot to choose first, and that he would make do with whatever portion of the land remaining. Lot foolishly and arrogantly went ahead and chose. He regretted that decision (Genesis 13: 8 – 18).
It is obvious that God was not happy with the effrontery of Lot to have contested the land with his senior uncle and benefactor because God turned the “good land” Lot chose to a “devouring land” for him and turned the “dry land” he left for Abraham (his leader) into a “prosperous land”.
Many people who would not give a damn with morality argued that it was PYO’s fundamental human right to contest for whatever he desires. I agree completely. However, Apostle Paul tells us, Christians, that the fact that something is your right does not mean you should pursue the thing (1 Corinthians 10: 23). Granted it is your right, but as a Christian, you should still consider other things – is it appropriate, is it morally okay, is the time right, or does it offend some other person or position?
Now that the selection process is over and the result is known, I humbly plead with my dear VP to, one, please pleadingly reach out to BAT, two, apologize to the whole Yoruba race, and three, apologize to all fellow brethren in Christendom because Christians must be taught by our words and actions that as much as what we get, or position we reach, is important, the how/pathway to getting the thing or reaching the position is more important.
In essence, for Christians, and as a matter of fact for every morally conscious individual, the end does not justify the means; it is the means that justifies the end.
God bless you.
