It would be "evil" for Deltans to vote against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 because Tinubu is an "in-law" of Delta State through First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. �
(Governor sheriff Oborevwori)
Opinion: Should Nigerians Vote Based on Family Ties or Performance?
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's statement that it would be "evil" for Deltans to vote against President Bola Tinubu because he is an in-law of Delta State has sparked intense debate across the country. �
At the heart of the controversy is a fundamental question: What should determine a citizen's vote in a democracy?
Should people vote for a candidate because of family connections, ethnic affiliation, regional ties, religion, or political loyalty? Or should they vote based on performance, competence, accountability, and vision?
Democracy gives every citizen the right to support any candidate for any reason. However, many Nigerians believe that elections should primarily be a referendum on governance and results.
For citizens facing economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rising living costs, political endorsements based on personal relationships may not be as persuasive as evidence of improvements in their daily lives.
Supporters of President Tinubu may argue that his administration's reforms have increased revenues available to states and laid foundations for future growth. Critics may point to inflation, the cost of living, and other challenges as reasons to seek a different direction. These are political debates that voters themselves must decide.
In a democracy, disagreeing with a candidate does not make voters evil, just as supporting a candidate does not automatically make voters right. Elections work best when citizens are free to evaluate policies, records, and promises without pressure or intimidation.
Ultimately, the ballot belongs to the people. Whether in Delta State or elsewhere, voters have the right to support or reject any candidate based on their own judgment of what is best for their communities and for Nigeria.