Written by: Busuyi Ojo-Jobus
Many on social media have been dragging the Edo APC Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebolo, claiming he said, "I will provide you with insecurity."
As a journalist, I am the Founder, Publisher and National president of All Campus Show; I am not partisan, but my profession allows me to analyze situations from reasonable perspectives.
As a Nigerian, I know many young Nigerians like to joke about serious issues, which is what is happening now.
It's clear that anyone can make a mistake, and I believe his speech contained a slip of the tongue which he corrected immediately, as no sane man would intentionally make such a statement if not for slip of tongue.
I believe Monday Okpebolo speaks his dialect to address his Esan people, and did not blunder by saying he would provide insecurity.
Many Nigerians tend to mock and ignore people who make mistakes in English with better intentions and with the Masses' interests at heart but shower praises on those who cannot speak their native dialects fluently with little to no concern for the Masses.
This is a big problem as we constantly promote foreign languages and ways of life over our own.
Now, I am not campaigning for Senator Monday Okpebolo, although I have had the chance to meet him one-on-one, as well as other Governorship candidates (Akpata and Asue) and even Governor Obaseki. I have seen the road projects he has embarked on as a sitting Senator which is commendable.
Now, If the English language really mattered that much, why then didn't Professors who previously acted as presidents or Vice Presidents of Nigeria change the nation with their administration?
Can anyone point out the positive things their administration did for Nigeria as professors and one who had a good grasp of the foreign language?
The country shouldn't be where it is today.
They speak perfect English without blunders, yet we can see the blunders in their governance. It's high time we stopped being carried away by flawless grammar with empty actions.
However, Nigerians themselves are part of the problems in this country.
The way we approach serious matters shows that we tend to play too much and shy away from the truth. I believe it’s time for us to take matters of utmost importance seriously and stop focusing on mundane things.
This can be achieved with the right education, which we currently lack, and by engaging properly in the politics of our country for growth and development.