I can't remember ever writing a post as haphazard as this one but then again, there's always a first time.. I always avoid writing about issues like this, buh based on what my twitter and facebook timelines have been yarnin about, I think it's time I come out wiv it.. So, here goes....
It's definitely not news that yesterday,the 17th of April was Nigeria's Presidential election day and as such my timelines especially twitter were full of updates, comments, arguments, hell even TT's (trending topics). All on the one topic called Politics, or rather PDP to be exact. To the non-Nigerians on my blog, there are different political parties in Nigeria: PDP- Peoples Democratic Party, ACN- Action Congress of Nigeria, CPC- Congress for Progressive Change and ANPP- All Nigeria Peoples Party. They all have members from all tribes and religions. I'm practically indifferent as to politics in Nigeria, as all I want and care about is a good leader, regardless of his political party, tribe or religion. Yet, it seemed like people had been waitin 4 an opportunity like this to remind themselves of the differences amongst the parties. I ask, "Are all the members not Nigerians? Are they not all either Christians or Muslims? Are they not all either Westerners, Southerners, Easterners or Northerners? And are they not all found in each of these parties?" If yes, then why THE HELL is it todae of all dayz that you will suddenly decide to segregate?
Don't get me wrong, I admit, there are good and bad party members and admittedly the current party might not have done some HUMONGOUS deed to help us but we all have to admit that they have at-least tried when compared to our former state. There's still a lot of work to be done , but we should appreciate the little that has already been done. We shouldn't be so MYOPIC as to let our 'animosity' for SOME members of A SINGLE PARTY lead us away from the needed messiah and onto destruction. Are you saying because you don't like the party, you won't vote for the presidential candidate? The candidate is but only 1 person in the whole party.
I remember some-one on my twitter TL even going so far as to say that 2day is between the Northerners and others/Southerners. Another one even said God punish PDP members. I'm like 'Hunh, say whaat?? And these are the same Nigerians that are claiming they want peace and unity?How in blazes can you want peace when you're asking God to punish somebody?' A friend of mine got un-followed on twitter all because of a post she wrote on word-press.. I mean seriously? How the hell is un-following her going to affect her? Like she's said her mind and she's satisfied. She doesn't need you to agree with her much less follow her, after-all twitter won't pay either you or her for following or even having an account sef!
And of-course, trust Nigerians now, as soon as the confirmed results started pouring in, our regular riots started.. Last I heard, there were riots in Yola, Adamawa state and Sokoto state. I've been asking 'What's with the riots ooh? What do we hope to gain? The elected ones aren't affected, so what's the point of the riot?' Up-till now, I've not been able to get an answer and I honestly don't expect to get one EVER!
Now moving away from politics into religion, all I want to know is was anybody forced into a religion?? Was anybody even told to have a religion sef. I personally know an atheist. He doesn't believe in God or even Science. Hell, he doesn't even believe in life after death or Judgement day or even Hell and Heaven! But so what? It's his choice. I'm not going to kill him all because he's not a Muslim or Christian or whatever. Who wants to deny the fact that even in this so-called advanced age, there still are idol-worshipers in Nigeria? It's called freedom and right to worship! Shuo.. And yet upon the freedom to worship ooh, you'll see people killing each-other in the name of having different religions.. I'm like 'So what?? Did any-body kill you for believing in what you believe? Are you worshiping me abi vice-versa? Abi, are you the one who's going to judge me ni?' Please ooh I say LIVE AND LET LIVE.
Now onto tribalism, why is it that the very 1st thing a fellow Nigerian will ask you, that's if you manage to pass their 1st impression is 'Where are you from?' I HATE that question with a passion. And then when you answer 'I'm a Nigerian.' the next 1 which follows is 'What part of Nigeria?' And then when you answer 'I'm from -------------- part of Nigeria.', or even 'I'm from ---------- state.' God save you if you're not from their part or state. The CONDESCENDING look you get ehn, SMH. Of-course, the look won't be obvious, but there'll be a difference in the reception you'll be getting. At-least thank-God they're even talking to you sef. Nigerians and their 'hatred for whites ehn esp. here in school, hmmm..
I always get an amused look from people every-time I tell them I'm Nigerian. If it's not 'You don't look Nigerian', or 'You don't sound Nigerian', it DEFINITELY has to be 'You don't act Nigerian. Shuoo... See me see wahala ooh. So Nigerians have specific looks, sounds abi actions ni before they can be accepted as Nigerians?. Sometimes I don't even know whether to laugh or to cry, so I end up with a smile. 'I'm thinking 'Come, isn't the fact that I'm Nigerian enough for you? Ahn ahn., Our ancestors suffered racism from the 'white' man now I must suffer the same from a fellow 'black'??'
Of-course our own fellow tribesmen don't help matters when they categorize other tribes, Like who hasn't heard 'Igbo people like money?' or 'Yorubas are dirty people?' or even 'Hausas are greedy?' And all these assumptions come from some-one who isn't from these tribes after an encounter with only ONE person from any of these tribes ooh!! May God save you if your folks hear that you want to marry any-body outside your tribe or religion, that's if you're even lucky enough to get to the marriage stage without objections ooh.. Hmmmmm, dt dae YAWA GO GASS!! I personally have dated an Igbo guy , Yoruba guy and a Hausa guy soo you can't tell me rubbish.. I won't mention their respective states. Buh I'm not ready to start thinking of marriage so I don't know who I want to get married to.
Nyways, this post is long enough, lemme not bore you to death, that's if U aint bored already!! Thanks 4 alwayz being there.. Yours truly
