In Nigeria, tribal politics no be something wey benefit the common man. Instead, na the political elite dem dey gain from am. From the First Republic till now, politicians dey use tribal sentiments to get power and maintain their grip on it.
During the First Republic, political parties were often named based on their tribal affiliations. For example, the Unity Party of Nigeria, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was strong in the west, but it also performed well across the federation. However, it was the political elite who benefited from this tribal politics, not the average Nigerian voter. They were the ones who devised ways to remain in power by appealing to tribal biases and sharing the ‘national cake’ among themselves.
In recent times, the same pattern continue. During the 2023 presidential election, politicians like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi got significant votes from their respective regions, but it was not just about tribal loyalty. The common man voted based on who they thought would provide better governance and services. However, those who publicly presented themselves as tribal candidates were the ones who benefited most from tribal politics.
The issue of tribal politics also extends to how political parties form coalitions and alliances to appear more national rather than tribe-based. This shows that while the common man may not be playing tribal politics, the politicians are the ones who use these sentiments to their advantage.
In summary, tribal politics in Nigeria is a game played by the political elite to maintain power and control, rather than benefiting the ordinary citizens.
