The Cold War – Where Do Kwarans’ Interests Lie?

The ethics of politics is a complex field, encompassing the responsibilities of political leaders, the morality of their decisions, and the ethical frameworks that should guide political behavior.

Ethical politics demands that leaders and institutions promote justice and fairness, ensuring that laws and policies are applied equally to all citizens.

Transparency and accountability are also fundamental to ethical politics, as are respect for the rights and freedoms of the people. Ethical politics values truthfulness and integrity.

However, these values are often challenged by partisanship, populism, and other issues.

The APC primary elections have concluded, with today being the last day for candidate substitutions as per KWASIEC if the date isn’t shifted again. News has broken that the placeholders in Ilorin South, Moro, Ilorin East, and Asa have been replaced, and everything is set for the party to commence its campaign ahead of the forthcoming elections.

While the winners celebrate, many political actors and their followers are disappointed and venting their anger. Some have even threatened to leave the party if no significant action is taken.

A political “cold war” is taking shape. Nearly all state representatives at the national level harbor some resentment towards the primary election outcomes. It is reported that some cannot even boast of having a candidate for councilor. Some have described the Executive Governor as a “greedy victor.”

Rumors of a cold war between the Governor and National Assembly members did not start yesterday. This tension has been in the air in Kwara politics since last year, and the primary elections have only made it more apparent.

Politics is about interest. As one analyst put it, the primary agenda of every elected official is how to win the next election, while social and economic agendas are secondary.

However, neither the Governor’s camp nor the National Assembly members’ camp seem to prioritize the people’s interest in this fight. It’s more about power than governance—more about who wields power than how that power will be used to improve the lives of the people, especially as the 2027 elections approach.

Politics is a serious game, and you must field loyal, trustworthy, and committed players. The Governor’s strength is believed to lie in his cabinet members and other state-elected officers, including the members of the state House of Assembly and the incoming local government chiefs. Their loyalty has been tested and trusted.

Expecting the Governor to do otherwise in selecting candidates for the local government elections would be unjust to the humble man, given the realities of politics.

It’s not surprising that some National Assembly members stayed away from the primary elections. This shows their understanding of the game and respect for its rules.

Where Should Our Interests Lie?

Should we take our stance based on their political differences? I think not. While their interest lies in wielding power, our interest as citizens should focus on good governance.

We should be more concerned about who genuinely has the state’s interest at heart, who has the track record that guarantees hope for a better future, who has better programs for the state, and who better understands the social, cultural, and economic dynamics of Kwara.

Now is the time to sacrifice selfish interests, greed, and unhealthy relationships for the good of the state. This responsibility is not limited to the APC; we must also consider scouting for the right people in other political parties.

In the interest of Kwara State, the right people should be allowed to take leadership positions in our state.

Araakunrin Bolakale penned from Kwara State.