Pearlè🌹

Apart from the attempts to arm-twist people with claims of tribalism, one of the clichéd arguments against voting for Mr. Makinde is: "He cannot win." Something along the lines of "don't throw your votes away" or "don't waste your votes." Generally, the decision to cast a vote should never be dictated by the prospect of winning or losing. It should be about conviction: a decision one can defend. It is like when a lawyer takes a brief. It is not because he is guaranteed victory, but because he believes in the case and is confident that he can present and defend it before a judge and the court. It is like speaking the truth or sticking to the path of honesty. We do not do so because there is a guaranteed national honour or prize to be won. We do so because of the satisfaction and fulfilment that come from knowing we have done the right thing. In fact, truth-tellers have, from time immemorial, been among the least rewarded and most vilified. We wake up every day and go about our businesses with renewed zeal. Some rise daily to do something different from what they did the previous day, hoping that each effort brings them closer to an ultimate goal. Others simply pick up from where they stopped the day before. Both are united by the gratification that hope brings: the belief that one day, it will all pay off. It might not. Indeed, it will not for many. That is the reality of life. Yet, we remain stubborn in our aspirations, even when nothing is guaranteed. You will achieve nothing with biased and manipulative rhetoric. We wanted competence. We wanted a fresh leg in the game. We wanted proven track records. We wanted credentials that could be independently verified. "Give us Makinde. Give us Dr. Adesina. Give us Prof. Osinbajo and you will see that we don't care about the tribe". Makinde has come. You're the ones playing the tribal card now.

About 4 or 5 years ago, Oyo State was recruiting for the roles of prosecutors and investigators for its anti-corruption agency. For that particular role, only 3 slots were opened, and the fact that the slots were limited, and would be competitive was what piqued my interest. I applied. I was shortlisted for a written test, which was organised and monitored by Deloitte. Some weeks later, I got an email that I had passed the test. I was invited for an interview. After some weeks, I got another email that I had scaled that level, too. I was then invited for another interview with subject matter experts, also organised and monitored by Deloitte. Of course, it was Deloitte, so I didn't expect anything short of that standard. It was a session that tested both my knowledge of substantive and procedural laws on criminal prosecution. The fact that I had been a criminal defence counsel helped a lot and when recommendations to improve prosecution and achieve higher convictions in corruption cases where due were being taken, I did really great. I passed that stage, too. I didn't need the job. I had the habit of applying for roles to test where I stand, but with the quality and process, I was already afraid that I might end up as a state prosecutor. I was impressed. A few weeks later, Deloitte reached out to me. Again, I qualified. The chat was about salary expectations. I considered it an avenue to escape. I called what I was certain no state would pay a prosecutor. There was no indication of shock. They said they would get back. A few days later, I was invited to a physical meeting in Ibadan. My recollection of those I was meant to meet is hazy now, but I think it was the top members of the anti-corruption agency. It was at that point that I politely communicated that I would not be proceeding further. My dad is over 70 and he is a retiree. He isn't partisan. Just an old man who wants a working country. He speaks glowingly of Mr. Makinde and his government. Infrastructures that past government left unattended for almost 2 decades, Mr. Makinde fixed them. His works are evident in my state and even town. I wrote about how impressed I am with him, even when I didn't know he has any interest in becoming the president. He's the candidate whose positive impacts in government I have seen the most. That a state as big as Oyo State could be recruiting 3 people for a role, and I made it, without having to hold the helms of a Commissioner's garment conforms with my idea of the Nigeria that I desire. It is grossly irresponsible of anyone to link one's support for such a candidate as tribalism. I am highly disinterested in party politics, but I am not apolitical. I have also witnessed Nigeria in more varying dimensions than most of those who tend to manipulate people through faux logic and dishonest patriotism here. The only set of people who are my senior in that regard are those who witnessed the pre-Babangida era. I may be a lad then, but my recollection of events are quite vivid. I watched as the NTA broadcaster broke the news of General Abacha'a death. "The Head of State, General Sani Abacha is dead". I jumped up, tumbled over a stool in search of my father to break the news. I partook in the celebratory procession. It is unlikely that a post democracy child will manipulate my type in any manner on matters of politics and governance. If the choice is about capacity, competence, and indeed a presidential material, if Mr. Makinde is not the first, then he will be second, and only to one person, Mr. Donald Duke. I respect your tribal bias dressed as patriotism. I respect your honest ignorance of how magic could happen overnight. I appreciate your naivety. I also respect your pretence and need to say what seems popular. I do not intend to challenge them or point the flaws out. But... Mr. Makinde is not a vote spoiler. No honest person will relegate him to that level or finger his supporters for tribalism.