[The Polity with Senator Reformed] Beulah: What Is The Yardstick Again? By Senator Reformed

Last week, while scrolling through the internet, a notification popped up from a friend asking if I had seen the increasingly growing and unending back-and-forth girdling Mr. Adeoye Beulah, one of the perceived leading gubernatorial aspirants for Oyo State in 2027.

The development—turned into a wildfire of heated debates—has seen Mr. Beulah criticized incessantly for exercising his constitutional and natural right to marry whomever he chooses. Some have gone so far as to brand him a “conquered man” for allowing his children to bear names—primary identifiers—that are not traditionally Yoruba.

While the preservation of culture and identity is very important, it is equally essential to recognize that everyone is at liberty to make personal choices—such as the names they give their children which are deeply subjective—that should remain untainted by societal expectations and be free from public ridicule.

It is also presumptive to conclude that these children lack Yoruba names altogether. In all likelihood, they have Yoruba names as secondary or middle names, which still add due weight to their heritage. Infact, a name, whether Igbo or Yoruba, does not strip an individual of their cultural roots. The essence of being Yoruba—or any ethnicity—runs deeper than nomenclature. It lies in the values, traditions, … and principles passed down.

Furthermore, should the act of naming children now be tinged with political calculations? Should parents, with no initial ambition to join the political fray, feel pressured to give their children names tied to specific ethnic identities for fear of future backlash? The absurdity of this notion lends premium to how far the conversation has veered into unproductive territory.

This piece is not an attempt to defend Mr. Beulah from the barrage of online political attacks. Rather, it is a call to reject the creeping anti-democratic tendencies that undermine our collective progress. Using the tribe of one’s spouse or the names of one’s children as a yardstick for leadership competency is not only shallow but also inimical to the ideals of democracy and unity.

At a time when we are striving to promote national unity and the ideal of “One Nigeria,” it is disheartening to witness a resurgence of divisive narratives. The Nigerian identity has developed into a highly sophisticated design of interconnected cultures. Inter-tribal marriages have become commonplace, with many Yorubas marrying Igbos and vice versa. To now use tribal narratives and affiliations as a basis for denying opportunities—whether political or otherwise—is to reverse the progress we have made toward national integration.

If such sentiments are allowed to soar, just imagine the implications of what this divisive rhetoric will birth. If Yorubas were to deny Igbos opportunities based on tribal considerations, what would stop Igbos from reciprocating by marginalizing Yorubas working in Igbo-owned establishments? Such an anti-Nigerian development would not only breed resentment but also jeopardize the social and economic stability of the nation. The consequences of such tribal bigotry would be far-reaching and would only threaten national cohesion, with ordinary Nigerians in inter-tribal relationships or workplaces being the worst hit.

Many have described the attacks on Mr. Beulah as politically sponsored attempts to undermine his electoral prospects. However, these efforts appear to have backfired. Rather than diminishing his chances, they have bolstered his appeal. Reason is, the electorate in Oyo State has grown beyond such parochial considerations. They refuse to be distracted by baseless narratives that have no bearing on governance or development. They understand that leadership goes beyond tribal identity and are focused on electing a leader who can deliver democratic growth and drive economic prosperity. They are not unaware of the fact that that competence, vision, and what have you are the true measures of leadership.

The voters are wise enough to see the pettiness of these criticisms in recognition of the fact that tribal affiliations can never serve as the yardstick for determining competence. In fact, such baseless attacks only place considerable light on the desperation of Mr. Beulah’s opponents, who are inadvertently strengthening his case as a unifying leader who embodies the principles of fairness and inclusivity.

What governance should be in all saner climes is about results, not ethnic affiliations. The Pacesetter State is certainly not immune to this. The Nigerian state ranked 30th alphabetically deserves someone elected for their ability to deliver—not for whom they marry or what language their children speak at home.

As we therefore move forward as a state, and even as a nation, we must confront these divisive tendencies and remind ourselves of what truly matters. That is, to ask ourselves if are we really interested in cementing progress, or are we content to remain mired in the divisive politics of old? And that if leadership is not determined by competence, vision, integrity, and what have you, then what is the yardstick again?

Senator Reformed, a graduate of Unibadan and journalist, writes from Ibadan.