By Rayyanu Bala

Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, for the purpose of introduction, is the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, the council that spearheaded the successful campaign for the second term of Osun State Governor, Ademola Jackson Nuredeen Adeleke, in the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State.
During the campaign, Olajengbesi made uncomplimentary remarks about the serving Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, amid the heat of a political contest in Osun State.
However, Olajengbesi later regretted those comments and, as reported by several mainstream media outlets, offered an apology to the Edo State Governor.
Mr. Olajengbesi, who spoke on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign organisation, did not pretend in his apology letter that political disagreements do not happen. Instead, he acknowledged that some of his comments may have crossed the line and offered an apology. More importantly, he made it clear that political differences should never become an excuse for disrespecting individuals, public institutions, or the offices they occupy.
The action of Mr. Olajengbesi, quite frankly, was a sign of maturity.
Politics, as we are aware, is naturally contentious. Supporters will disagree. People will exchange criticisms. Politicians and their supporters will sometimes say things in the heat of the moment that they later wish they had expressed differently. But democracy becomes healthier when people have the courage to recognise when they have gone too far and correct themselves.
Olajengbesi’s withdrawal of his comments should, therefore, not be seen as a weakness. It is a demonstration of strength and character. It shows that a person can passionately defend a political position without losing sight of decency and respect.
Unfortunately, this is precisely the attitude that appears to be missing in Nasarawa State.
One cannot help but notice the disturbing trend of young people, sometimes little more than boys, setting up cameras and using social media platforms to hurl uncomplimentary and insulting remarks at Governor Abdullahi Sule. Criticism of a governor is entirely legitimate in a democracy. Citizens have every right to question policies, demand accountability, and express dissatisfaction with the government.
But criticism is not the same thing as abuse.
There is a fundamental difference between saying, “Governor Sule, we disagree with your policy,” but to deliberately using degrading language against him as a person and against the office of the governor is not a sign of civility. The fact that someone holds public office does not make him vulnerable to all forms of abuse. Holding public office does not remove the basic dignity that should be accorded to every individual.
The office of governor itself deserves respect, irrespective of who occupies it or which political party one supports.
This is not about protecting governor sule from scrutiny. On the contrary, democracy thrives on scrutiny. It thrives on robust debate, opposing views, and even uncomfortable questions. What democracy should not encourage is a culture in which insults are mistaken for political courage and disrespect is celebrated as activism simply because those mounting the podium see themselves as political activists.
The example set by Olajengbesi in Osun is, therefore, worth encouraging. Olajengbesi did not abandon his political convictions. He simply recognised that political disagreement should have boundaries. He withdrew remarks he considered inappropriate and reaffirmed the importance of respecting public institutions and public office.
That is how democracy should work.
We should be able to disagree without becoming enemies. We should be able to criticise without abusing. We should be able to campaign vigorously without destroying the dignity of the governor or the office of the governor.
And, perhaps most importantly, our young people should learn that having a camera, a microphone, and an audience does not give anyone a licence to insult public officials.
The unhealthy culture of political abuse in Nasarawa State must stop. Nasarawa State needs citizens who can speak boldly, question authority, and demand accountability, but we can do all of that with civility and responsibility.
Olajengbesi’s apology, therefore, is a useful reminder that sometimes, withdrawing an inappropriate statement is not a retreat. It is a step forward.
In a democracy, maturity is not measured by how loudly we can insult those with whom we disagree. It is measured by our ability to disagree passionately while still respecting the humanity of the person on the other side and the institution he or she represents.