Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
I write this open letter with a heavy heart and a painful sense of history. I am deeply worried about the ugly political developments gradually unfolding in Oyo State, particularly the growing hostility among political gladiators and the reported attacks on their supporters.
Mr. President, those of us who witnessed the bitter political struggles between the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) during the Second Republic know where this dangerous road can lead.
We have seen this madness before. We witnessed how political disagreements turned into street battles, how ordinary citizens became victims of political ambition, and how politicians who should have protected their people allegedly armed young men to terrorise their opponents.
We must never allow that terrible history to repeat itself!
The recent developments should worry every responsible citizen, regardless of political affiliation. What started as isolated attacks and intimidation is gradually assuming a dangerous dimension.
The first disturbing incident was the reported attack on the wife of an Oyo State APC governorship candidate and members of her campaign team while they were mobilising grassroots support for her husband. Several properties were reportedly destroyed.
The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, reportedly went on air to describe the incident as a problem involving aggrieved supporters within the APC.
Mr. President, with due respect to the governor, I found that explanation deeply troubling.
Even if the attack resulted from internal disagreements within the APC, does that make the destruction of property or intimidation any less serious?
Are APC members not citizens of Oyo State? Does belonging to an opposition party deprive anyone of government protection?
I expected Governor Makinde to rise above political differences and warn that no individual, political party, or group would be permitted to turn Oyo State into a battlefield.
Instead of appearing to dismiss the incident as an internal party affair, the governor should have demanded a thorough investigation and insisted that anyone found responsible be brought to justice.
As governor, he has a responsibility to protect the lives and property of every resident, irrespective of political affiliation. Although operational control of the Nigeria Police rests largely with federal authorities, the governor cannot afford to be indifferent to threats to public peace.
A governor must behave like a father to all his children, including those who disagree with him politically. He must not behave like the proverbial Nero, fiddling while Rome burns.
Unfortunately, another disturbing incident reportedly followed the next week, involving supporters of the Accord Party and unidentified assailants.
Several Accord supporters were reportedly injured, while the party’s leadership accused individuals associated with the ruling political camp of being responsible.
These are serious allegations that deserve an independent investigation. Nobody should be declared guilty merely because an opposition party has accused them. Equally, nobody should be shielded from investigation because of political connections.
Mr. President, this is how political violence begins.
First, there are threats. Then intimidation. Then the destruction of property. Before anyone realises what is happening, innocent people are being carried into hospitals, and families are mourning loved ones.
And the politicians who started the quarrel will eventually settle their differences over dinner, while the children of the poor remain in their graves.
What a tragedy!
Our political history should have taught us better lessons.
The rivalry between the NPN and UPN in the old Oyo State became a bitter struggle that divided communities and families. The disputed 1983 governorship election, which saw Chief Victor Omololu Olunloyo of the NPN defeat the incumbent governor, Chief Bola Ige of the UPN, took place against a background of fierce political tension and violence.
More than four decades later, it would be a disgrace to our generation if we allowed the same politics of bitterness to destroy the peace our people have struggled to preserve.
Mr. President, Ibadan has a long history of political consciousness, courage, and resistance to oppression.
We may disagree politically, but we were brothers and sisters before we became members of APC, PDP, Accord, APM, or any other political party.
Our forefathers fought wars to defend Ibadanland. They did not make those sacrifices so that their descendants could start killing one another because of politicians seeking temporary political offices.
No governorship ambition is worth the blood of an innocent citizen.
No presidential ambition is worth setting Oyo State on fire.
No political party is more important than the life of a single human being.
Those recruiting unemployed young men as political thugs should remember that the children of politicians financing violence are often safely studying abroad, while the children of the poor are handed weapons to destroy their own communities.
What kind of wickedness is that?
Mr. President, I respectfully appeal to you to direct the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant security agencies to investigate these reported incidents, identify those responsible, and take lawful steps to prevent further attacks.
The Department of State Services should also pay close attention to credible intelligence suggesting that politicians or their agents are recruiting, financing, or arming young people for political violence.
We cannot wait until people are killed in large numbers before the government begins issuing condolence messages and setting up committees.
Prevention is better than mourning.
Governor Seyi Makinde must understand that history will not judge him solely by the roads, bridges, and other infrastructure constructed during his administration. History will equally ask whether he protected those who supported him and those who opposed him.
The same responsibility applies to every political leader in Oyo State.
I appeal to the leadership of APC, PDP, Accord, APM, and other political parties to call their supporters to order.
Let us argue. Let us campaign. Let us criticise one another. Let us disagree passionately. That is democracy.
But let nobody shed the blood of another Ibadan son or daughter because of an election.
Mr. President, Oyo State must not return to the dark days when political thugs determined who could campaign, who could speak, and who could move freely in their own communities.
We have buried enough people in this country because of politics. We have seen enough mothers cry. We have watched enough promising young men waste their lives defending politicians who would not even recognise their families after an election.
The time to act is now—not when the first political assassination sends shock waves across the state.
Anyone found sponsoring, organising, or participating in political violence must face the full weight of the law, regardless of party affiliation, wealth, or political influence.
Your Excellency, I am raising this alarm because I love my state, I cherish the peace of Ibadanland, and I refuse to remain silent while dangerous political tendencies threaten the future of our people.
A stitch in time saves nine.
May God protect Oyo State, preserve the peace of Ibadanland, and grant our leaders the wisdom to put human lives above political ambition.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
