Afrigather The 2023 common election, observers say, might go down in Nigeria’s historical past as essentially the most divisive ballot for the reason that return of the nation to civil rule in 1999.
They converse in tandem that the election negatively impacted interpersonal relationships, even in spiritual circles.
In addition to belief deficit in most nationwide establishments which has deepened, ethnic division has widened, deep-seated phobia of 1 tribe in opposition to one other has worsened whereas many relationships have soured nearly irredeemably.
BusinessDay checks confirmed that friendships that had been nurtured over time took a severe hit because of arguments and dangerous blood that arose from the elections and their end result.
A few of those that spoke to our correspondents stated that until there’s a aware effort by authorities to provoke a programme for nationwide rebirth and true reconciliation, the fault traces would widen to some extent of disintegration.
This instantly calls to thoughts occasions of the 30-month civil warfare of 1967 to 1970 which John Pepper Clarke, considered one of Nigeria’s best poets captured in his poem—‘The Casualties’ the place he noticed that the casualties of the warfare weren’t simply those that died combating within the warfare.
“The casualties aren’t solely those that are useless; they’re properly out of it. The casualties aren’t solely those that are useless; although they await burial by installment; The casualties aren’t solely those that have misplaced individuals or property,” Pepper-Clarke stated.
“The casualties aren’t solely those that began a fireplace and now can’t put out; hundreds are burning that haven’t any say within the matter,” he added.
Unarguably, the nationwide elections left loads of casualties—those that suffered monumental losses.
In addition to these, there are quite a few different casualties—those that paid supreme worth, those that misplaced their limbs, those that had been disenfranchised and molested; those that had their nationwide satisfaction brutally bruised and left unprotected by the legal guidelines of the land. These too, had been casualties of the elections which were condemned throughout the globe as largely flawed.
These casualties who’re victims of unintended and surprising penalties of the elections characterize an excellent variety of Nigerians telling private tales how the elections have destroyed what they used to get pleasure from as ‘good relationship’ with some individuals on account of their totally different assist for candidates and their opinions concerning the elections.
Some say that even in church buildings, members are divided alongside get together traces. Some market individuals who as soon as shared good rapport aren’t doing so; some colleagues in places of work are now not on speaking phrases; some have deleted some individuals they had been following on social media platforms; and in some houses it practically brought about friction.
Francis and Longinus are each journalists who met one another on the job about 10 years. They’ve been superb mates protecting the identical beat, sharing life and household experiences. Right now, they’re now not on speaking phrases as a result of every had totally different political get together leaning from the opposite.
This was made worse by their ethnic nationalities. One is Igbo whereas the opposite is Yoruba. For them, it’s not about Nigeria and what or who is sweet to steer the nation. It’s about “my tribe and my individual.” They’ve disagreed a lot on the suitability or in any other case of their decisions that they now not trade messages and no greetings as earlier than.
It’s nearly the identical story from Olufemi Ogundipe and Magnus Munachi who’ve lived in the identical property as mates, visiting one another’s household at each given alternative till the end result of the presidential election threw in a spanner and brought about severe disaffection between them.
“Election has been gained and misplaced, but my pal doesn’t wish to let go. Daily he posts offensive data on a WhatsApp platform to which each of us belong. I really feel such issues are focused at me as a result of he tells me the president-elect manufactured his mandate. Each try I make to elucidate brings out the worst of ethnic sentiments in him. I’ve suggested myself to disregard him,” Ogundipe stated.
The scenario goes past particular person relationships. It has affected households the place members have differing political beliefs and persuasions. The worst is how the end result of the election has affected even church buildings.
Patrick Ovie worships in one of many church buildings in Ojo space of Lagos. Ovie advised our reporter how worshippers from the South Japanese a part of the nation really feel so dangerous with the inhuman remedy meted out to them throughout the election that they’re reconsidering a call earlier made on this 12 months’s church Harvest and Thanksgiving.
“We’ve got teams within the church and every year, one of many teams is chosen to host the Harvest and Thanksgiving. There’s a specific group within the church whose membership is over 90 p.c South Easterners. They’re to host the Harvest this 12 months however their president, after the election, went to the church priest and advised him level clean that they gained’t do the internet hosting once more as a result of they’re irritated,” Ovie recounted, including {that a} good variety of them have even left for a close-by “Igbo-speaking Church.”
Ovie expressed fears that if the priest didn’t discover a option to assuage the anger of those brethren, it’d have an effect on the steadiness and income of the church as these brothers and sisters had been extra in quantity than another tribe in that church and contribute most to the church funds.
A few of those that spoke to our correspondents stated that if there was a option to measure the extent of hatred and division within the nation, particularly since after the elections, the end result would clearly present a near-civil warfare expertise the place every part was truthful for the warring sides with no affection.
In line with them, “the election was a check of the purported ‘unity’ of the individuals, however the individuals failed, they exhibited hatred at an unprecedented degree after a very long time of pretense.”
Weeks after the elections, therapeutic isn’t in sight as a result of many stabbed their very trusted mates within the again, contacts had been deleted, relationships dirty, integrity compromised on the altar of hatred and tribal sentiment. The victims, which embrace all Nigerians, are feeling the adverse impacts right this moment.
Jude Abulu, a Kwale Delta State indigene, is among the many victims of the hatred spree. The daddy of three was final weekend ejected from his two-bedroom residence at Isolo, Lagos by his landlord of eight years as a result of he didn’t renew his lease after one month.
“I’ve all the time renewed by lease inside three months since I packed into that home eight years in the past. However the ejection with out discover was merely an act of wickedness as a result of I brazenly supported one other get together on the election,” Abulu lamented.
His concern is that extra tenants might face similar remedy because the landlords are utilizing native thugs to implement the ejection, whereas insisting that the aggrieved tenants ought to return to their states or villages.
Additionally shocked on the “satan” his as soon as kind-hearted employer has turn out to be, Elvis Akani, a resort waiter, continues to be in shock over the sack of some workers members due to their selection of candidates on the 2023 election.
“Our human sources supervisor has been the one combating for our welfare however our Oga requested her and 5 others to go due to the argument amongst a few of us that the election was a rip-off and that if issues go the way in which they’re now, an illegitimate authorities shall be in energy. We’re in search of replacements however not by individuals from sure locations,” Akani, who was employed by the sacked human sources supervisor, stated.
However some are having humorous experiences too. A younger medical physician was left unattended to at a petroleum station in Gbagada space of Lagos as a result of he couldn’t talk with the gasoline attendant who advised him in an area language that it’s money solely, no PoS.
The physician, who works at Gbagada Basic Hospital obtained livid when the attendant hung the pump and left.
“I all the time purchase gasoline right here and he is aware of I don’t perceive their language. He ought to have communicated to me his problem in English than strolling out on me as a result of I don’t converse his language. That is unhappy and dangerous for enterprise,” he decried earlier than leaving with out shopping for gasoline.
However a buyer who had the identical expertise and was ready to be served overheard one other attendant saying that they need to go to their state and purchase gasoline.
It was at that time that choas erupted and a senior attendant despatched the impolite attendants away and bought gasoline to all with the PoS they claimed was not working earlier.
The worsening scenario has additionally impacted the quantity of enterprise for merchants past the cashless and PoS challenges to now being reluctant or outright refusal to promote or do enterprise with sure people who find themselves perceived to have voted for an additional get together or who’re generalised as ‘enemies of our progress’.
Final weekend, a girl took it out on her supposedly buyer of over 5 years at Ejigbo market when the vendor on wholesale provision refused to promote to her buyer for no purpose.
“Why will you say you aren’t open right this moment when different prospects are being attended to by your daughters in the identical store?” the client voiced out in anger and quarrel ensued between former mates.
Folks round defined that for the reason that election, the lady who is alleged to be among the many girls leaders of a political get together in her space, has not been relating properly with some prospects. However the query stays how she is aware of who voted for her get together and who didn’t.
Then again, some merchants ignore or insist they don’t have no matter merchandise some sure prospects ask for, all due to their flawed notion about them for the reason that election.
In fact, merchants who’re open to all prospects are making the most of the scenario now with indicators corresponding to ‘No PoS’, ‘I acquire outdated and new Naira’ boldly written and positioned of their retailers.
At Idumota, a well-liked marketplace for clothes and fashions equipment, some retailers at the moment are recurrently locked by house owners of the buildings, a tragic scenario requiring store house owners to beg for the opening regardless of not owing lease.
Emeka Oforkansi, a shoe vendor, decried that the scenario is getting out of hand as they’ve complained to the market leaders, safety and Lagos Island Police with out resolution.
“Sure, I voted my selection of candidate and so additionally you. Why will you wish to punish me for expressing my civic proper? They’re taking the difficulty very private and we won’t maintain quiet as a result of our supply of livelihood is being threatened,” he stated.
Additionally trying on the many hearth outbreaks in markets throughout Lagos inside a brief time period, Ademola Gbamgboye, a human rights activist, decried that with out sentiments, the hearth outbreaks appear well-planned and focused at companies run by the Igbos.
“Let’s say the reality, the retailers being locked and people burnt are primarily owned by the Igbos. No Yoruba dealer will say his/her store was touched throughout this election brouhaha. It’s hatred regardless of the way you paint it,” Gbamgboye stated.
Even throughout locations of worship, some members have been absent for the reason that election due to the division that has crept into supposedly holy locations.
For a lot of, some revered clergy crossed the road with their feedback, actions and inactions throughout the election.
“We’ve got seen all of them that declare to be holy. How will you assist evil and nonetheless need individuals to to hearken to what you preach on pulpit. They’ve supported their very own, many people who find themselves aggrieved like me will go away their church, let their individuals fill our area if they will. There are various locations to worship,” Terh Akah, an aggrieved church goer stated.
Nonetheless, there’s concern that the scenario might worsen after the inauguration of the brand new authorities.
“We’ve got voted and at the moment are being hated for expressing our rigjt with our votes. We’ve got additionally ready for the worst afterall the present president promised to do nothing for us and he stored his promise. However we even prospered extra. We are going to survive,” Odirichi Okike, an Abuja-based civil engineer, stated.
Gloria Umukotete Principal Gloria Umukotete Marketing campaign Organisation (GUCO) and former
candidate, Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency disclosed how the connection between her and her pal was destroyed in the middle of final common election.
“This was the very individual I took my time, left my home in Delta to be along with her for weeks in Edo State. On the finish of the day, she paid me again in a foul coin,” she lamented.
“She ran for Home of Representatives seat in Edo State beneath the New Nigeria Peoples Get together (NNPP) and due to my involvement in girls growth, I made a decision to assist her as a result of she was a girl concerned in politics. As a pal, I assisted and marketed her candidacy to one of the best of my skill. She nevertheless, rotated and have become offended with me when she misplaced the election.
“She was my pal and can by no means be once more. I can’t be pal with all people; if the friendship isn’t working I’ve to maneuver on,” she stated.
Kenneth Orusi, a journalist in Asaba, Delta State stated he had a friction together with his pal on the premise of the candidate of the Social Democratic Get together (SDP) he supported.
A dealer, Ogu Samuel who resides at Canon in Ajao Property, Oshodi-Isolo Native Authorities Space of Lagos State, stated there was stress between Yorubas and non-Yorubas in his locality since the results of the presidential ballot was introduced.
Samuel stated that some leaders of the ruling get together within the locality weren’t comfortable that their candidate misplaced the presidential ballot and mobilised thugs to assault these perceived to be in opposition to him within the space.
“There was stress on this space for the reason that presidential election when the Labour Get together gained Lagos State. The subsequent day after the election outcomes had been introduced, they got here to scatter our market and burn a few of our retailers on the street constructed with planks.
“On the day of the governorship election, they attacked Igbos right here, threatening us if we come out to vote that they’d kill us. One man was stabbed throughout the struggle that occurred on that day.
“Three days in the past, we heard the person died and the hoodlums brought about bother by attacking anybody they noticed on the street, particularly when you’re not Yoruba.
“It’s so unhappy that we allowed the election end result to divide us this fashion. Sadly, it’s the politicians which can be utilizing these boys, however their very own kids are overseas.”
Additionally recounting her expertise, Ijeoma Uba, a nurse who resides in Ikotun, Alimosho Native Authorities Space, stated the end result of the final election had led to division between Igbos and a few people within the locality, stressing that she now closes early from her store due to concern of assault.
“Lots of people at the moment are extra cautious; closing time is now earlier. One man was attacked on this space, his head was hit with a bottle.
“They stated he was campaigning for Peter Obi. Since Obi gained in Lagos, issues haven’t been the identical for us. We now stay in concern. I don’t enable my kids to exit after 7:30 pm,” Uba stated.
Equally, Ovie Owa, a lawyer, who resides in Agege Lagos State, stated that he had severe disagreement together with his colleagues on one of the best presidential candidate for Nigeria, stressing that he was shocked a few of them put ethnicity first within the selection of their candidate, relatively than competency.
“Personally, I had a bitter expertise with a few of my colleagues and up until right this moment, we nonetheless haven’t agreed on the end result of the presidential election and who’s one of the best candidate for Nigeria.
“We had severe disagreements and I needed to steer clear of a few of them. It harm me personally, despite the fact that I could not present it. We could also be again collectively now, I’m nonetheless harm emotionally,” he stated
“Two of my family are now not in speaking phrases as of right this moment. They’re now enemies. One is a PDP card carrying member whereas the opposite is of APC. We as members of the family are initiating strikes to resolve the issue that arose from their particular person stands throughout the election.
“The Church isn’t omitted. Paul and his pal Ekene are members of the identical Church in Owerri. They fell out throughout the election. The faceoff is now so deeply-rooted that they don’t sit nearer to one another within the church. Ekene stated he had determined to sit down on the again to keep away from shut contact or eye contact with Paul,” Udo Ekenna, a grassroots politician in Imo State, advised our correspondent.
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Obinna Nwagbara, a human rights activist, stated many if his mates referred to as him silly for supporting a candidate of his selection.
In line with him, “They hated me and by no means needed to have something to do me. Many blocked me on social media, however I used to be by no means disturbed.
“I didn’t want anyone’s approval of who to assist in an election. It’s my basic human proper.”
Nwagbara additional stated: “For future elections, I’ll strive as a lot as potential to be political get together/candidate-neutral. I shall be extra eager about taking part in the position of a civil society actor.”
For Goodluck Ibem, president common, Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), “We’ve got these troubles as a result of politicians use tribal sentiments to divide Nigerians alongside ethnic traces, which is why individuals who had been mates all of a sudden grew to become foes.”
He additional noticed that political workplace holders or politicians, who don’t have anything to supply determined to whip up tribal sentiments as a device to win elections, noting that it’s only these, who don’t have anything “upstairs” that usually fall for such low cost mechanisms.
Equally, Oluseyi Dasilva additionally a public affairs analyst, stated: “My views on the simply concluded elections in Nigeria is that, the 2023 common election has come and gone, however the irregularities that include it’s the disappointing issue.
Nigerians had for a very long time been apathetic to the electoral system, however varied teams urged Nigerians on the necessity to take part within the elections.
“As it’s now, many politicians are aggrieved as to the transparency of the elections, attributable to suspicion on non-transmission of votes as promised by INEC. Many consider that the election was rigged in favour of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that every one intrigues had been mastered by his ruling get together, APC.”
Ramat Adeshina, a politician stated: “We’re not getting it proper in any respect; democracy is a authorities of the individuals made by the individuals’s decisions however within the final election, the reverse was the case the place Nigerians had been threatened for not voting for one political get together and people who voted for his or her decisions weren’t counted and on the finish they launched over-voting.
“Additionally, INEC workers and a few individuals caught thumb-printing for one political get together in some locations, PoS brokers had been caught at polling unit centres doing the identical factor and vote shopping for is now professional beneath this authorities. All these are given us a set again as a nation and dangerous picture even at worldwide degree.
“Nigeria has not gotten it so badly once you examine the earlier elections for the reason that democracy has come to remain in 1999. INEC must be corrected on sure abnormalities that occurred and I name on the management of this nation to all the time put individuals of integrity in delicate positions as a result of Nigeria is a good Nation,” Adeshina stated.
The best way ahead
Tunde Salman, a public affairs analyst, stated: “Personally, I feel we have to write a brand new structure through which energy rotation clauses between the North and South can be clearly codified to minimise opportunistic interpretation. Many deeply divided societies have establishments, a type of energy rotation of their nations’ constitutions for fairness and equity. For instance, the Lebanese Structure.
“Election applied sciences or digital democracy are nonetheless evolving and nations even in superior democracies strategy these improvements in phases. However INEC’s over-ambitiousness to deploy the expertise, however the real issues raised by stakeholders about restricted IT infrastructure, was a part of the issue. I belief the aggrieved presidential candidates and their events as true democrats would desk their grievances to applicable grievances redress mechanism (GRM) as stipulated by the regulation.
“The statesmanship of the presidential candidate of Labour Get together because the face of an natural motion that many individuals initially dismissed as inconsequential, together with Yours Sincerely, can be wanted now to maintain peace and tranquility by his passionate supporters and admirers.”
