Politics and name-calling have always enjoyed a close relationship. And in every democracy, labels are often deployed as political weapons long before policies and performance enter the conversation. Aspirants are routinely defined by their opponents before they are assessed by the electorate. But if democracy is to retain its essence, citizens must resist the temptation to inherit political prejudices without scrutiny. The duty of the voter, the writer, and indeed every stakeholder is not to cheer blindly from partisan corners but to interrogate claims, separate rhetoric from reality, and insist that public office remains a contest of ideas, competence, and character.
It was from this perspective that I encountered a report in which Mr Afolabi Orekoya, the Director of the Media Campaign Organisation of a gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, reportedly questioned the origin of his boss’ opponent, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, during a radio programme
This post was originally published on this site.
