Criticizing policy is politics. Mucking personality is pettiness, the kind of “all is fair in politics” that Pres. Tinubu himself once defended.
Gov. Okpebholo is free to say Gov. Adeleke has not met his development quota. That is a political jab. Voters are owed that debate. Show us the roads not done, the schools not staffed, the projects not commissioned. Argue the numbers. Argue the record. That is democracy.
What is unbecoming is descending into name-calling and personal ridicule. When we move from “what was not done” to “who he is,” we have left governance and entered the gutter. That is below the belt. And for a sitting governor, it is beneath the office.
Leadership requires two things: courage to criticize, and discipline to do it honourably.
There is also the matter of consistency. I hope Gov. Okpebholo has collected, or at least applied for, security clearance before entering Osun State.
Why? Because he once told Peter Obi to apply for security clearance before entering Edo State.
Life is like a ricochet. The standard you set for others will return to test you.
If clearance was required for opposition in Edo, then it must be required for incumbents in Osun. If it was politics then, it cannot be principle now.
Nigerians are watching. We do not need governors who trade insults across state lines. We need governors who trade ideas, projects, and accountability.
Criticize Adeleke’s performance. Fine. But leave the personal attacks alone. And remember your own rules.
Because what goes around, comes around.
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bcradle@ymail.com