Political songs are powerful instruments for mobilising and sensitising the populace to participate in electioneering processes and, particularly, canvassing support for the candidate of a political party. They draw attention to the strength of the party’s candidate against his opponents.
However, when employed negatively, as in Tiv land since the advent of party politics in the 1960s, political songs become damaging and dangerous as they tend to heat the polity, create tension, and sometimes create crises/clashes between contending parties.
This was exactly what happened during the late Sen J.S. Tarka’s era in the first and second Republics, when some were branded as “Baja” or “Apipi.”The scenario was not different during the Third Republic when some song composers branded one candidate as “Ambo” and the other as “Ayuba.”
The trend continued during the return to Democratic rule in 1999 until today, when State Governors and political office seekers are coined as either “Ashabugu,” “OrIgyo,” “Yuda,” “Atoki,” “Tyongi,” “Iorkpem oo,” etc.
This trend and attitude are most noticeable in Tiv land alone, as other ethnic groups hardly criticise their own in songs, no matter how bad they may appear.
As the 2027 general elections inch closer, song composers whose trade is to criticise leaders will surely be gearing up to hit the political stage again.
This is where caution has become imperative. Already, the land is saturated with violent killings. As such, there is no need for the political crisis to worsen the already deplorable security situation in the state.
Political leaders are therefore invited to caution their supporters to be moderate in their song compositions.
It is our strong position that, given the insecurity situation that has enveloped Benue State, we all must preach peace rather than stoking embers that will invariably escalate our challenges.
As our people celebrate this year’s Democracy Day, may they be reminded that democracy, as famously enunciated by Abraham Lincoln, is about the people. Anything that will negatively impact the people must be avoided, while emphasis is given to what uplifts the people.