When Neutrality Helps The Victim
`“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel
However, I argue that political neutrality actually helps the victim, rather than the oppressor.

The favourite quote of those that insist that everyone in Nigeria must be politically partisan is often used to denigrate those that refuse to be drawn into the current political milieu in Nigeria, and to paint them as unconscionable, irresponsible and unpatriotic.
This unfair labelling is the action of oppressors & tormentors. The politics that we practice in Nigeria is not based on ideology, principles or manifestos. Manifestos are often crafted by political strategists for the sole purpose of winning elections. Candidates have zero input

Our politics is simply two or three cults fuelled by blind adoration and rabid personal hatred. For each cult, the loyalty to adore and to hate is the only membership criterion. It is rather than like membership of rival street gangs.

The member of your gang is your “blood” and you will kill to protect them even if they commit rape, murder or genocide. Members of rival gangs are enemies who must die, even though you don’t know them personally and they have never done anything to offend you.

Anybody not in one of the gangs is seen as a coward. The political system in Nigeria is a fraud. It is designed to empower a few to oppress & torment the majority. It is parties that stand for elections, not individuals. If your party doesnt present you, your ambition is over.

Of course, there are mushroom parties registered by political jobbers that, for enough cash, will offer you a hopeless opportunity to run on their platform. You go from being a potentially viable candidate of one of the big parties to being a candidate of Obscure Party of Nigeria

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