Linus Aleke in Abuja
A Professor of African Literature at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Damian Opata, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s recent remark that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the expression is neither new nor peculiar to Nigeria’s political history.
He urged Nigerians to consider the remarks within their historical and philosophical context.
Opata, who is also the National Chairman of the South East Movement for Tinubu 2027, said the expression derives from the popular saying, “All is fair in love and war,” which he traced to John Lyly’s Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, he said he had no objection to the memorandum presented by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and read by its President, Bishop Matthew Ndagoso.
He said the bishops demanded free and fair elections, improved security and good governance for the common good, while also requesting the return of schools to their original proprietors and the extension of constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion. He noted that President Tinubu responded by highlighting improvements in the education and security sectors, explaining that the issue of returning schools rested with state governors and reaffirming that freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution.
He added that the bishops applauded the President’s response by clapping at four achievements of his administration.
Opata said President Tinubu’s assertion that “all is fair in politics” reflected “his brutal courage in speaking and acting on truth and reality,” although he acknowledged that critics were justified in arguing that, as President, such an expression could send the wrong signal because he embodies the nation’s conscience and ethical standards.
He further argued that the bishops’ address should not have focused solely on the President and the All Progressives Congress, maintaining that all political parties share responsibility for ensuring free and fair elections.
According to him, the President’s remark is reducible to the Machiavellian principle that “the end justifies the means,” a doctrine rooted in political pragmatism that has found expression in institutions such as universities, churches, the police, the civil service and the business sector.
Commenting on reactions that followed the meeting, including an interview granted by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Opata urged the media and the public to exercise restraint, saying attention should remain on the substantive issues rather than peripheral matters.
He concluded by calling on the ruling party, opposition parties and Nigerians to avoid conduct that reflects either “the end justifies the means” or “all is fair in politics” as the country prepares for the 2027 general election, expressing the hope that doing so would help guarantee free and fair polls.