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By Chukwudi Abiandu

Tinubu’s “grab it, snatch it and run with it” politics risks teaching Nigeria’s youth that victory excuses every political excess

There are statements political leaders make that should not be dismissed as mere campaign rhetoric. Words spoken by a President can shape political culture, influence behaviour and, particularly in a country as politically combustible as Nigeria, have consequences far beyond the moment.

This is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assertion that political power is not served “a la carte” but must be “grabbed, snatched and run with,” as well as his more recent declaration before Catholic bishops that “all is fair in politics,” deserves serious interrogation.

The President is entitled to fight vigorously for his political survival. He is entitled to campaign for re-election and seek to defeat his opponents at the ballot box. But there is a world of difference between political toughness and the suggestion that there are no moral boundaries in the pursuit of power.

Politics is competition. It can be fierce, but it is not warfare. Political opponents are not enemies to be eliminated. Elections are not battles to be won by every conceivable means. That is the foundation of civilized democracy.

No, Mr President, all is not fair. If “all is fair in politics,” what exactly becomes unfair? Is intimidation fair? Is vote-buying fair? Is electoral violence fair? Is threatening political opponents fair? Is using state institutions selectively against opponents fair? Is killing someone because he supports another political party fair? Obviously not. Therefore, all cannot be fair in politics.

Democratic politics operates within rules, laws and ethical boundaries. International democratic standards emphasize credible elections, political pluralism, freedom from intimidation, rule of law and freedom from political violence. Nigeria cannot therefore afford to turn political competition into a moral free-for-all.

Indeed, even the popular invocation of Niccolò Machiavelli to justify ruthless politics is frequently misunderstood. Machiavelli’s political writings were concerned with power, leadership and the survival of the state; the simplistic proposition that “anything goes if the objective is achieved” is not a sufficient summary of his political thought. More importantly, Nigeria is not governed by Machiavelli. It is governed by a Constitution.

The dangerous message to young Nigerians

This is where the President’s words become particularly troubling. Young Nigerians are watching. What happens when they conclude that politics is simply a game in which morality is suspended?

They may begin to believe that the most ruthless politician is the smartest politician; that political thuggery is a legitimate career path; that institutions exist to serve whoever controls power; that opponents should be intimidated rather than challenged; and that honesty is weakness. That is how a dangerous political culture is born. And the signs are already visible.

The violence, intimidation and allegations of political attacks surrounding elections in different parts of the country should worry everyone. The Ekiti governorship election generated controversy over alleged vote inducement and the distribution of food items to voters. Bread is not the problem. Poverty is. But when poverty is deliberately converted into a political weapon, “take this and give us your vote”, citizenship itself is being commodified.

The unfolding political contest in Osun is even more disturbing, with allegations and counter-allegations involving arrests, attacks and intimidation of political opponents. If reports attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, allegedly calling for the killing of Accord Party members found in certain places, are accurate, such language is beyond political rhetoric. It is an appalling invitation to violence and should be treated as a matter for serious investigation. A political opponent is not an enemy of the state. He is a fellow Nigerian.

Politics must have morality

The idea that political victory justifies every method is profoundly dangerous. A politician who wins through intimidation may win an election but damage democracy. One who wins through vote-buying may acquire office but destroy the dignity of the electorate. One who uses government institutions to settle political scores may weaken those same institutions for the day he needs their protection. And one who encourages violence may eventually discover that violence has no permanent political master. This is why the President, as both politician and Head of State, should be particularly careful about the messages conveyed by his words.

As APC leader, President Tinubu can legitimately desire victory for his party. But as President of Nigeria, he has a higher responsibility: to ensure that Nigerians of every political persuasion can participate in democracy without fear. The presidency must therefore be bigger than the party.

Security agencies must belong to the nation, not political factions. Regulatory institutions must enforce the law impartially. Elections must be decided by voters, not intimidation.

Winning is not everything

There is an important lesson political leaders must understand: winning an election is not necessarily the same as strengthening democracy. A politician can win office and leave behind a weakened political system. He can defeat an opponent while destroying public confidence in elections. He can secure power while teaching an entire generation that politics is synonymous with violence, manipulation and dishonesty.

That is not political greatness. Political greatness is winning fairly, accepting defeat when necessary, respecting opponents and leaving democratic institutions stronger than they were before.

President Tinubu should therefore clarify what he meant by “all is fair in politics.” If he meant that he would fight hard, campaign vigorously and defend his mandate, nobody should object. But if “all is fair” is interpreted as a licence for political actors to deploy intimidation, violence, vote-buying or institutional abuse, then the statement must be rejected unequivocally. Nigeria has enough problems without institutionalising political barbarism.

The country does not need a politics of “grab it, snatch it and run with it.” It needs a politics of earn it, win it fairly and govern responsibly. That is not weakness. That is democracy. And that is the political culture Nigeria owes the generation coming after us.