By Okoi Obono-Obla
TINUBU’S “ALL IS FAIR IN POLITICS” REMARK: A CALL FOR OPPOSITION INTROSPECTION
While addressing members of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria who paid him a visit on 28 July 2026 at the State House, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated that all is fair in politics. He made the statement to underscore the fact that he is not arm-twisting the opposition, as they would want everyone to believe, and also said that INEC has not been using intimidatory tactics, as the opposition has been alleging.
He said the opposition should not blame anybody for their challenges but themselves, because of the company they keep.
What is the meaning of “all is fair in politics”?
The phrase “all is fair in politics” means that in the struggle for power, normal rules of fairness and ethics are often set aside, and any tactic — whether aggressive, manipulative, or unconventional — can be justified as part of the game. It reflects the idea that politics is a competitive arena where the end, which is winning, often justifies the means.
This assertion is in tune with the political philosophy of the Italian political philosopher and writer who, in his treatise The Prince, advocated realism in the struggle for power rather than the moralizing and sermonizing principles explicit in the theories propounded by Aristotle, Plato and St. Thomas Aquinas, which harped on goodness, virtuousness and morality.
In essence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was simply passing a message to the opposition to sit up and do its homework, organize itself, and stem the disorderliness and confusion within its rank and file, and to stop passing the buck and blaming the government, the APC and INEC for its shortcomings while expecting the APC and the government to help it manage itself.
How does one expect a co-competitor in a race to help you run the same race which both of you are required to win in order to take the top prize? Human beings are biologically and inherently self-centred and selfish, and everyone will always naturally or instinctively promote his own life or interest when danger is lurking around, before helping his neighbour.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the President’s remark is a political reality check. It suggests that sustainable opposition strength cannot be built on external blame, but on internal cohesion, discipline and strategic reorganization.
Leave a comment