Prof. Damian Opata, National Chairman of the South East Movement for Tinubu 2027, suggests that President Bola Tinubu’s comment that “all is fair in politics” is a common historical sentiment rather than a novel or uniquely Nigerian occurrence. Speaking after the President’s meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Opata noted that the phrase echoes the traditional idiom “all is fair in love and war.”
During the interaction, the Catholic bishops, represented by Bishop Matthew Ndagoso, advocated for improved security, better governance, and free, fair elections. President Tinubu addressed their concerns by highlighting current security and education reforms, noting that school ownership disputes are state-level matters, and emphasizing that religious freedom is constitutionally protected.
While Opata acknowledged that the President’s remark about political fairness reflects a form of realpolitik, he conceded that critics are right to demand more cautious rhetoric from a leader representing the nation’s ethics. He likened the President’s stance to the Machiavellian principle that the end justifies the means, a pragmatic approach he noted is also visible in various sectors like business, law enforcement, and academia.
Opata also urged the public and media to focus on substantial issues rather than trivial matters, such as the President’s facial expressions during the meeting. He questioned the intensity of recent public discourse regarding insults directed at the Catholic Church, emphasizing that all political stakeholders must move away from cynical political tactics ahead of the 2027 elections to ensure the credibility of the democratic process.
