By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
From left in the photograph are Seyi Makinde, outgoing Governor of Oyo State; Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Communication; Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and Mr. Bayo Adelabu, Minister of Power and APC gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State. All four men are standing. All are smiling. All are greeting one another warmly.
That single moment, captured during the lecture and symposium marking four days of the Oyo State at 50 celebration at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, carries a lesson deeper than any speech delivered at the event.
These men represent different political interests and party affiliations. Governor Makinde is a leading figure of the opposition in Oyo State. Adelabu is a top contender from the ruling APC. Senator Akume occupies one of the highest administrative offices in the APC-led federal government, while Sunday Dare speaks for the Presidency. Yet in that photograph, there is no visible hostility—only civility, courtesy and mutual respect.
If political rivals can stand together, exchange greetings and share smiles in public, what then is the justification for citizens turning political differences into personal wars?
Across Nigeria, supporters of opposing parties insult one another, break friendships, divide families and, at times, engage in violence—all in the name of politicians who clearly understand how to separate competition from hatred. The image from Ibadan exposes a reality often ignored: at the elite level, politics is not warfare; it is negotiation, cooperation and timing.
The same politicians whose supporters trade abuses daily are the same ones who sit together at national events, collaborate on governance and negotiate power when elections are over. Today’s opponent becomes tomorrow’s ally. Yet the ordinary citizen is left nursing grudges that bring no benefit.
Development does not recognize party symbols. Electricity policies, federal allocations, security decisions and national programs affect PDP and APC supporters alike. When leaders across party lines can come together to celebrate the history of Oyo State, citizens should learn to disagree without destroying one another.
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That photograph is not just a record of attendance at a golden jubilee event; it is a quiet reminder. Politics should never cost Nigerians their peace, unity or humanity. If politicians can smile together while standing side by side, citizens should stop fighting battles that are not theirs to fight.
Ibrahim Kegbegbe is a journalist and public affairs analyst who writes from Lagos.
