Don’t Sacrifice Family, Friendships On The Altar Of Politics — Onaiwu

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Former Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Founder of Red Carpet Protocol, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has sounded a strong warning to Nigerians ahead of the country’s next major political contest, urging them not to sacrifice friendships, family ties and enduring relationships on the altar of political loyalty.

Onaiwu said the growing tendency by Nigerians to treat political differences as personal battles was dangerous for national cohesion, noting that disagreements over political parties, candidates and ideologies should never be allowed to transform friends, relatives and long-time associates into bitter enemies.

In a message that comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, Onaiwu stressed that political allegiance is temporary, while relationships built over years often endure far beyond individual elections and political administrations.

“We can disagree politically and still remain friends. We can support different candidates and still sit at the same table. Politics is temporary, but family and friendship are relationships we carry with us through life,” he said.

The former NGF chief maintained that democracy thrives on differences of opinion and competing ideas, arguing that Nigerians should be able to support opposing political candidates without allowing such choices to destroy personal relationships.

According to him, political participation should centre on the contest of ideas, policies and leadership choices, rather than personal hostility or the demonisation of those who hold different views.

“Do not lose your friends, brothers, sisters, or family members because of political affiliation. Support who you believe in and stand for what you believe is right, but never forget the people who were there before politics came into the picture,” Onaiwu said.

He urged political actors and their supporters to cultivate tolerance, restraint and respect for opposing views, particularly as the country enters what is expected to be an increasingly intense political season.

Onaiwu warned that political campaigns and elections would eventually end, but the emotional scars and broken relationships created during heated political contests could remain for decades.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to draw a clear line between political disagreement and personal relationships, insisting that supporting a different candidate should never be interpreted as a declaration of personal war.

His message is coming at a time when political loyalties are increasingly shaping social interactions, with disagreements over parties and candidates sometimes spilling into families, friendships, workplaces and communities.

Onaiwu urged Nigerians to remember that after every election, the country and its citizens must continue to live together, stressing that political differences should strengthen democratic engagement rather than destroy the social bonds that hold society together.

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