The disturbing reports surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on the Hon. Wole Oke; The Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council during his recent visit to Ipetu-Ijesa should trouble every son and daughter of our ancient town, irrespective of political affiliation. If the reports are true, then we have reached a point where every responsible citizen must speak out without fear or favour.
Let us pause for a moment and reflect deeply: what if that attempt had succeeded? What if Wole Oke had been assassinated in Ipetu-Ijesa? How would the world see our town? What kind of global attention would that attract? It would not be the fame of honour, culture or excellence; it would be the dark, damaging notoriety of a community associated with political bloodshed. Ipetu-Ijesa would be mentioned not for its achievements, but as a place where political violence claimed a life. That is not the legacy we should ever allow.
The first reaction should not be whether the victim belongs to APC, PDP, Accord Party, ADC or any other political party. The first reaction should be a collective condemnation of violence in all its forms. An attack on any political leader is an attack on democracy itself. It is an attack on the peace, unity and reputation of Ipetu-Ijesa.
What kind of name do we want Ipetu-Ijesa to bear before the world? Must our cherished town always appear in the news for disturbing reasons? Not long ago, there were troubling reports of ritual killing and other heinous crimes linked to the community. Now, we are again confronted with the embarrassing news of political thuggery and an alleged assassination attempt. This is not the Ipetu-Ijesa our fathers laboured to build.
This is painful because Ipetu-Ijesa is a town with an enviable history. It is a community renowned for education, commerce, culture, integrity and peaceful coexistence. Many distinguished academics, professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs and respected traditional leaders trace their roots to this great town. That rich heritage is now being overshadowed by the reckless conduct of a few individuals who neither represent our values nor our future.
In one of my previous articles, I warned that political actors and citizens in Ipetu-Ijesa needed a complete reorientation regarding politics. Sadly, recent events appear to justify that warning.
Politics is not warfare. Politics is not criminality. Politics is not an avenue to recruit armed youths, cultists, school dropouts and political miscreants to intimidate perceived opponents. Politics is simply a contest of ideas and leadership. Elections are temporary; the consequences of violence can last for generations.
One unfortunate reality is that a handful of desperate, unemployed and misguided youths are gradually becoming the public face of Ipetu-Ijesa. Their actions are tarnishing the image that generations of hardworking sons and daughters built through decades of sacrifice and honour.
These young men should pause and ask themselves one simple question: What will remain after the politicians have gone?
Many politicians who encourage violence have children studying in prestigious universities in Nigeria and abroad. They live in secure homes and travel freely. Meanwhile, the youths recruited to fight political battles are often abandoned after elections. Some end up dead, permanently disabled, imprisoned or unemployable because of criminal records.
No political office is worth sacrificing one’s future. No politician is worth dying for. No election is worth destroying the peace of our community.
Ipetu-Ijesa has experienced painful moments before. Those who witnessed the ugly events of the 1983 political violence still remember the fear, destruction and bitterness that accompanied those unfortunate incidents. It would be a tragedy if, after four decades, we allowed another generation to repeat the same mistakes.
I also recall with deep respect the reign of the late Oba Adekunle Baderin. During the frightening incidents of alleged mystical attacks on students by fellow students at Ipetu-Ijesa Grammar School in the 1980s, the late monarch, together with the Ajalaye and members of the Chiefs-in-Council, took decisive traditional action. They visited the school and publicly invoked the authority of our ancestors “Elemi Lálẹ̀” placing solemn curses upon those responsible for terrorising innocent students. That courageous intervention sent a powerful message that the community would not tolerate evil or lawlessness, and it helped restore confidence and calm within the school and the wider community.
Similarly, the recent courageous stand taken by the Oba of Benin against cultism demonstrates that traditional institutions still possess enormous moral authority when they choose to defend their communities against criminality. While every community must uphold the rule of law and leave criminal investigations and prosecutions to the appropriate authorities, our traditional institution, community elders, religious leaders and political stakeholders also have a vital responsibility to speak with one voice against violence, criminality and political thuggery. The time has come for Ipetu-Ijesa to reclaim its moral authority and reaffirm that our community will never provide refuge or encouragement for those who seek to destroy its peace and good name.
Our community leaders must not remain silent. The traditional institution, elders, religious leaders, youth organisations, community development associations and every responsible stakeholder must rise above partisan interests and speak with one voice.
Those sponsoring violence must be warned. Those harbouring criminals must be exposed. Those financing political thuggery must know that they are not investing in politics; they are investing in the destruction of Ipetu-Ijesa.
History teaches us that communities survive difficult moments only when leaders possess the courage to confront evil.
The security agencies must equally discharge their responsibilities professionally. Every allegation should be thoroughly investigated, every suspect afforded due process, and anyone found culpable should be prosecuted according to the law, irrespective of political status or influence. Justice must neither be politicised nor selective.
This is also the time for political leaders across party lines to publicly instruct their supporters that violence has no place in our democratic process. Winning an election through intimidation is not victory; it is a defeat for democracy.
To the youths of Ipetu-Ijesa, I offer this sincere appeal.
Choose education over violence.
Choose entrepreneurship over thuggery.
Choose character over criminality.
Choose peace over provocation.
Be ambassadors of the rich heritage that your forebears bequeathed to you. Refuse to become willing instruments in the hands of desperate politicians. Your future is far more valuable than anybody’s political ambition.
To our political actors, remember that elections are temporary, but communities are permanent. Campaign vigorously, mobilise your supporters lawfully, defend your convictions passionately, but never encourage violence or tolerate those who perpetrate it in your name. Leadership is measured not only by victory at the polls but also by the peace left behind after the contest.
To our parents and guardians, this is the time to guide our children. Do not celebrate unexplained wealth or political patronage obtained through violence. Teach them dignity in labour, honesty, respect for human life and love for their community.
To our traditional rulers, Chiefs, religious leaders and community associations, posterity beckons. The preservation of Ipetu-Ijesa’s honour is a collective responsibility. Future generations will judge us, not by our political affiliations, but by whether we rose to defend our community when its reputation was under threat.
Finally, every son and daughter of Ipetu-Ijesa must remember one enduring truth: political parties will change, governments will come and go, elections will be won and lost, but the reputation of Ipetu-Ijesa will remain with us and with generations yet unborn.
Let us therefore reject every attempt to turn our beloved town into a sanctuary for violence, cultism and criminality. Let us reject the politics of hatred and embrace the politics of ideas. Let us defend the honour of our ancestors. Let us preserve the dignity of our children. Let us restore the good name of Ipetu-Ijesa.
Let all political actors in Ipetu-Ijesa reflect on this that; “Anyone who kills to advance a democratic cause betrays democracy itself. Justice may be delayed, but karma and nemesis have a way of catching up with those who shed innocent blood for political gain.”
Politics is not a do-or-die affair. “Democracy cannot be defended by murder. Those who spill blood to secure political power may celebrate today, but history, karma, and nemesis have a way of demanding accountability.” Human life is sacred. The image of our community is priceless. Let us all resolve today that never again will Ipetu-Ijesa be known for violence, but rather for peace, excellence, learning, enterprise and honour.
Enough is enough.
Oni is a Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, and University of Lagos, where he teaches, Sociology of Education, Philosophy of Education and social pedagogy in Education
