Double Standards 101: Same Action, Different Dictionary!

The reaction to Isaac Fayose having dinner with a President’s son made me reflect on something that has been happening in our political conversations for years. This is not about defending Isaac Fayose, Seyi Tinubu, Peter Obi, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any politician. It is about asking whether we apply the same standard to everyone.

Isaac Fayose & Seyi Tinubu

Isaac Fayose was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of Peter Obi and is still supporting him, despite being Yoruba while Tinubu, who is also Yoruba, contested the last election and will contest again next year. Many people praised him at the time for standing by the candidate he believed in. That was seen as democracy in action.

Now, because he had dinner with a President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, some people quickly labelled him a chameleon and began attacking his reputation. Others went beyond criticising him as an individual and started making comments about an entire ethnic group. That is where the line should be drawn. So if Isaac Fayose is not campaigning for President Tinubu or does not believe in him politically, does that automatically mean Tinubu must be his enemy and Tinubu’s son must also be his enemy? Una weldone ooo. There is a difference between “I do not believe you should govern the country” and “you are my personal enemy.” They never had personal issues. Even Peter Obi, if he sees President Tinubu or his son, will dine and wine with them, just as we have seen him dine and wine with people he once criticised.

Peter Obi & Ibrahim Babagida

Another thing we should be honest about is this. Many of the people criticising Isaac Fayose today would gladly dine and wine with the same political elites if they had even a small chance. Some would even invite their parents, siblings, and friends. We see how people celebrate celebrities, politicians, and anyone with fame, even when those individuals have questionable records. The same people who rush to take pictures, post videos, and praise those they admire are often the first to attack others for doing the exact same thing. Human beings can be quick to judge others for actions they themselves would take if given the opportunity. Those without moral discipline or integrity are usually the loudest when attacking others. It is the classic kettle calling the pot black.

Peter Obi & Ibrahim Babagida

Another example is the treatment of Professor Wole Soyinka, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. Instead of focusing mainly on celebrating his long life, especially reaching 92 years in a country where life expectancy is low, some people focused more on calling him names such as “betrayer” and “chameleon” because they disagreed with some of his opinions.

Disagreement is part of democracy. People have the right to criticise public figures and challenge their views. However, criticism should not become a reason to attack a person’s identity or generalise an entire ethnic group because of the opinion or action of one individual.

Prof. Wole Soyinka

A man who has lived for 92 years, contributed greatly to society, and was even imprisoned for fighting for the same people criticising him today deserves respect, even when people disagree with him. One disagreement should not erase decades of contribution. Many of the people criticising him protect and respect their own elderly parents when they grow older, even when they are not up to 70. Yet society sometimes expects elderly public figures to carry every national problem on their shoulders. We forget that ageing is natural. As we wake up each morning, we are all getting older, and not everyone will have the same energy they had decades ago.

So the question is simple. Are we applying the same standard to everyone, or do the rules change depending on whether we agree with the person or want to control other ethnic groups?

El-Rufua, Tinubu, & Buhari

For example, when Peter Obi meets, dines with, or works with politicians whom many of his supporters previously criticised such as Atiku, El-Rufai, Kwankwaso, and others, it is often described as strategy, politics, or building alliances. But when another person does something similar, it quickly becomes betrayal or chameleon behaviour.

El-Rufai & Peter Obi

Abi na different dictionary una dey use? 🤔😂

When political figures move between parties, form coalitions, or work with former opponents, it is usually called politics. But when someone outside that circle does the same thing, the reaction can be completely different.

The same question applies to public figures and politicians from different regions. When prominent Easterners such as business leaders, governors, and public figures make their own political choices or engage with the government, they are individuals making political decisions. Their actions do not represent every person from their ethnic group.

Peter Obi & Atiku Abubakar

Governors such as Alex Otti, Chukwuma Soludo, and Hope Uzodimma, as well as public figures like Obi Cubana and Cubana Chief Priest, have their own political choices and relationships, and some openly campaign for President Tinubu. They are not called betrayers or chameleons. They are said to be playing politics. Even the wife of Ojukwu works with the same president, and it is described as doing her job. But when someone from another ethnic group works with the same president, it becomes betrayal or chameleon behaviour.

If a tribe supports a president or votes for a president, they are called traitors. But when they support or vote for the person another group prefers, they are praised. Do otherwise, and the name-calling begins. People should be judged as individuals, not as representatives of an entire tribe. That same principle should apply to everyone.

Bisi Akande, Muhammadu Buhari,  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, & Atiku Abubakar

When Tinubu formed a party with former President Buhari, his tribe was attacked and called slaves to Northerners. But when Peter Obi moved from PDP to ADC and now to NDC, working with the same Northerners his supporters criticised in the past, such as Atiku, El-Rufai, and Kwankwaso, it is called political strategy. When Obi visited former military president Babangida, it was also called strategy. Same ethnic group, different dictionary abi?

Muhammadu Buhari & Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Another issue that worries me is the tendency to stereotype entire ethnic groups because of the actions or opinions of one individual. Nigeria is too diverse for that. Every ethnic group has people with different political beliefs, different opinions, and different choices. One person’s decision does not represent millions of others.

Politics has always involved dialogue, meetings, negotiations, and changing alliances. Across Nigeria, politicians from different parties and regions have worked together at different times. That is part of politics and part of democracy.

Peter Obi & Bola Ahmed Tinubu

We are free to disagree with political decisions. We are free to criticise public figures. But our criticism should be consistent and directed at individuals, not entire communities or ethnic groups. If we celebrate dialogue and alliances when they involve people we support, we should not condemn the same behaviour when it involves people we disagree with.

The strength of democracy is not measured by how loudly we defend our own side. It is measured by whether we apply the same principles fairly to everyone.

Same action. Same standard. Same dictionary.

Consistency no hard like that. 😂

As I always say, APC, PDP, ADC, and most other political parties are made up of individuals who have moved across political camps for more than 20 years, many of whom have been accused of mismanaging public resources. Citizens should judge leaders and public figures by their actions, integrity, and accountability rather than only by party labels or ethnic identity. This is democracy. Everyone has their own opinion and their own choices. The goal should be to enlighten, not to insult, stereotype, or attack ethnic groups. That only leads to hatred, division, and deeper resentment.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria has seen politicians change alliances, work with former rivals, and cooperate across political lines. That is part of political reality. I still believe that Tinubu is not the Messiah, Obi is not the Saviour, and Atiku is not the Answer. All of them, including Peter Obi, dine and wine with the same political cabals across APC, ADC, NDC, and others. Nigerian politicians have no permanent party, only permanent interests. We see them jumping and decamping like prostitutes after elections. Where are those who won elections under Labour Party now? We hear nothing anymore, and no one is calling them out because most are not from certain ethnic groups.

As the Yoruba proverb says:

“Ẹni tí ó bá bá ajá rìn, yóò jẹ ìgbẹ́.”

He who walks with a dog may end up eating its filth.

The lesson is simple. The company we keep can influence how others judge us. But that same standard should apply equally to everyone, regardless of political party, personal opinion, or ethnic background.

In all, do not get caught up in their fights by turning your friends or colleagues into enemies or fighting over politicians. Politicians have permanent interests in politics, not permanent friends or enemies.

Do not destroy your relationships because of politicians who do not know you and may not have your best interests at heart. Their families, relatives, and close associates will always come first before you. Many of them are not even aware that you exist as a citizen of the country.

Check the following pictures to see how they laugh together before and after elections.