Don’t Lose Friends, Family Over Politics, Onaiwu Urges Nigerians

By Reporter

Former Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Founder of Red Carpet Protocol, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has urged Nigerians not to allow political differences to destroy friendships and family relationships.

Onaiwu, in a statement, expressed concern over the growing tendency for political affiliations to create divisions among Nigerians, noting that relationships are increasingly strained or severed because individuals support different political parties, candidates or political interests.

He stressed that political differences should not be allowed to override the bonds of friendship and family.

“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.

According to him, political participation should be about expressing divergent views, debating ideas and choosing leaders, rather than turning people with different political opinions into enemies.

“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 added.

He called on Nigerians to embrace tolerance, mutual respect and civility in their political engagements, particularly as the country approaches another period of heightened political activities.

Onaiwu warned that political seasons would come and go, but the consequences of permanently damaged relationships could endure long after elections and political contests had ended.

He therefore urged Nigerians to separate political disagreements from personal relationships and preserve the bonds that unite families, friends and communities despite differences in political allegiance.