There’s a dangerous habit
creeping deeper into our political culture, one that feels harmless on the
surface but is quietly costing us our future. Too many Nigerian youths now
approach politics the same way they follow football: blind loyalty, emotional
attachment, and fierce defence of “their side,” no matter the scoreline.
But Nigeria is not a football
club. Elections are not weekend fixtures. And leadership is not entertainment.
When you support a football team,
the worst that can happen is disappointment at the end of a season. When you
“support” a politician the same way, the consequences are far more severe, and
they affect every aspect of your life.
This is not about who you like.
It is about how you live.
The truth is, the state of
Nigeria casts a long shadow over all of us; whether we admit it or not. It
shows up in the rising cost of food that empties your pocket before the month
ends. It shows up in the unstable naira that weakens your earning power and
dreams. It shows up in the lack of jobs that forces graduates into survival
mode instead of growth.
It shows up in insecurity, the
fear of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and violent crime that has made many
parts of the country unsafe. It shows up in the failing healthcare system where
people die from preventable causes. It shows up in poor infrastructure: bad
roads, erratic electricity, and a struggling education system that limits
opportunity.
These are not abstract issues.
They are daily realities.
And yet, when election season
comes, many young people reduce it to banter, like arguing over Manchester
United versus Arsenal. We pick sides based on sentiment, tribe, social media
trends, or who “feels right,” rather than who has the competence, track record,
and clear plans to fix these problems.
This approach is not just
careless…it is costly.
Because after the noise fades and
the elections are over, we are the ones who live with the consequences. Not the
politicians. Not the influencers. Not the loudest voices online.
Us.
So the question we must ask
ourselves is simple: why are we treating something this serious so lightly?
Nigeria does not need fans.
Nigeria needs citizens.
Citizens who ask questions.
Citizens who demand clarity.
Citizens who hold leaders
accountable, not just before elections, but after.
Before you support any candidate,
ask:
What exactly are their plans for
the economy?
How will they address insecurity?
What is their record, have they
delivered before?
Are they surrounding themselves
with competent people or loyalists?
Do not inherit political loyalty.
Earn your conviction through understanding.
The next election must not be
about popularity. It must be about responsibility.
It must be driven by a call to
action, by a collective decision to prioritize competence over charisma,
substance over slogans, and accountability over blind allegiance.
We cannot afford another cycle of
emotional voting and logical suffering.
If we truly want a different
Nigeria, then we must become different voters.
Because in the end, governance is
not a game, and Nigeria is not a league table. It is our home. And every
decision we make at the ballot box either builds it… or breaks it further.
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