I watched My Big Brother, Comrade Adam Oshiomole. I Was Embarrassed – Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu, a respected Nigerian journalist and political figure, has recently expressed his disappointment in the public comments made by Adams Oshiomhole. According to Momodu, Oshiomhole’s remarks were not only divisive but also out of character for someone of his stature and influence. Watching Oshiomhole, once a symbol of unity and progressive politics, left Momodu feeling deeply embarrassed.

The core of the issue revolves around Oshiomhole’s statements that seemed to dismiss a political candidate based on their inability to speak a particular language. For Momodu, this kind of rhetoric is not only outdated but also dangerous in a country as diverse as Nigeria. He believes that the qualifications for leadership should be based on a candidate’s capability, contribution to nation-building, and integrity, rather than on linguistic or ethnic background.

In his critique, Momodu stated, “I watched my big brother, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. I was embarrassed.” He found it scandalous that Oshiomhole would suggest disqualifying a candidate solely because they couldn’t speak a specific language. According to Momodu, such criteria are irrelevant when evaluating someone’s suitability for office. Instead, the focus should be on the individual’s achievements, character, and what they bring to the table in terms of governance.

He further questioned the logic behind Oshiomhole’s argument, asking, “What has [the candidate] contributed to nation building? Is he capable or is he incapable? Is there any reason or any scandal that would disqualify him from being voted for?” These rhetorical questions highlight the flaws in using language proficiency as a criterion for political eligibility. For Momodu, what matters most is whether the candidate has a clean record and has made significant contributions to the country’s development.

Watch the video from 6:47

Momodu also expressed his concern about the broader implications of such divisive rhetoric. He pointed out that in a state like Edo, where multiple languages are spoken, it is unreasonable to disqualify someone based on their fluency in one particular language. “So, for me, what Comrade did yesterday was in bad taste. He should have campaigned for their own candidate in APC,” he added. This statement underscores Momodu’s belief that political debates should be focused on policy and capability, rather than on exclusionary and divisive criteria……See_More