Politics 101 – “From silence to responsibility.”

Because the future will not fix itself

Welcome to our politics column.

Aunty Lulu Blog is a lifestyle platform that explores the many layers of our everyday existence—our faith, our health, our relationships, our work, fashion and our sense of belonging. Yet there is one issue that cuts across every aspect of our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not: governance. As we grow older and wiser, it becomes impossible to ignore how profoundly leadership shapes our realities. “How we are governed, who leads us, and how leaders are chosen are not just ideas—they directly affect how good our lives are.”

For many years, politics felt distant and unpleasant. Most people avoided it and focused on surviving. Now, that belief has fallen apart.

“Politics is no longer someone else’s business. It is now everybody’s cup of tea.”

The Diaspora Reality Check

Those of us living in the diaspora confront this truth daily. No matter how well we integrate, how hard we work, or how deeply we contribute to our host societies, we are constantly reminded—sometimes subtly, sometimes brutally—that we remain conditional citizens. Our belonging often comes with an asterisk.

Across the world, governments in stronger economies are tightening immigration rules, raising barriers, and redefining who truly belongs. And if we are being honest, it is difficult to blame them. Every government, at its core, is designed to protect the interests of its own people. That is governance in action.

The uncomfortable question, then, is this: if other nations are fiercely protecting their citizens, why are we so casual about the leadership and systems back home?

Many people in the diaspora criticize how other countries treat us, but we stay away from politics in our own countries. We leave (sometimes) because of poor leadership and corruption, then feel shocked when we are treated as outsiders abroad.

This hits home for me personally. The majority of my childhood friends now live abroad. Most of the wonderful people I grew up with in Ilorin are scattered across the globe, and if you include a large percentage of my schoolmates, it becomes clear just how much talent, energy, and potential we’ve exported. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a story of dreams carried far from home, opportunities missed here, and a reminder of why the leadership we often take for granted matters so profoundly.

It is this reality that brings me back to a simple truth: home is where our values, our dreams, and our futures should be nurtured. We cannot rely solely on foreign lands to give meaning to what we are capable of achieving. If our brightest minds leave, what becomes of the home we claim to love? This is why rebuilding home—through civic engagement, political awareness, and responsible leadership—is no longer optional; it is urgent

This is why political awareness is no longer optional. It is not about party loyalty or loud activism; it is about responsibility. Voting, questioning, demanding accountability, and understanding how power works are acts of self-preservation.

“Good or bad governance affects us no matter where we go. We can’t escape it. We can only face it, try to improve it, and demand better—both in other countries and at home.”

Our Responsibility, Our Future

This reality forces us to confront a difficult but unavoidable truth: it is time for serious housekeeping.

We must put our home in order.

And the only sustainable way to do that is by electing the right leadership—leaders with vision, competence, empathy, and integrity. Leadership is not magic; it is a reflection of what a society tolerates, demands, and actively chooses.

For far too long, many of us have stayed away from governance. We disengaged, looked away, stayed silent, and hoped that somehow, someone else would fix it. We ignored politics, seeing it as just noise or drama instead of something that shapes our future. Now, we are paying the price for that indifference.

The results are real and clear: failing systems, fewer opportunities, more insecurity, and a future that feels uncertain. Even worse, our inaction will not only affect us but also our children and future generations.”

As the saying goes:
“If we keep looking away, we are voting for the status quo.”

Home Is Where the Heart Is

The Yorubas say, “Ilé la ti ń kọ́ ẹ̀sìn rere, kó tó lọ sí òde.”

Character, discipline, and excellence are first formed at home before they are displayed to the world. A society’s values are not imported; they are cultivated. When the foundation is weak, no amount of foreign polish can compensate. In our case, however, these virtues are learned at home—and too often exported abroad.

Nigerians continue to thrive abroad. We excel in foreign lands. We build careers, institutions, and industries. We contribute meaningfully to other economies and help strengthen other nations. Our competence is rarely in question—only where it is applied.

So the question becomes unavoidable:
When will we bring that same excellence home?

We have exported enough of our brightest minds, our strongest hands, and our sharpest ideas. We have poured our energy into building other people’s homes while neglecting our own. While many brilliant individuals continue to work at home, giving their best to the nation, we must do more to ensure that the majority of key positions are entrusted to our very best minds.

It is time to rebuild home.

Another Yoruba proverb I hold close—yes, I truly love Yoruba wisdom—is this:
“Àjò ò lè dà bíi ilé.”
No matter how far you travel, no matter how beautiful or comfortable a foreign land may be, it can never replace the dignity, belonging, and rootedness of home.

Home is where you are not merely tolerated but claimed.
Home is where your voice should matter most.
Home is where your children should inherit possibility, not excuses.

And if home truly matters to us—and it does—then we must be willing to do the work. That work begins with civic responsibility, political awareness, and the courage to demand better leadership. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now.
Let us start rebuilding.

Let’s make home great again. Together

“If we keep looking away, we are voting for the status quo.”

Faith, Responsibility, and the Future of Our State

Nigeria is a deeply religious nation. We pray, we fast, we attend vigils, crusades, Jumat services, and church services with passion and consistency. There is no doubt about it—we believe in God.

But somewhere along the line, our faith has been misunderstood and, in some cases, misused.

I often hear people say,
“Only God can save Nigeria; it’s a lost cause.”

Yes, God can save Nigeria.
But let us be clear.

God works with what we have. He works with what is placed in His hands. He uses what is available, no matter how small, no matter how ordinary.

Throughout Scripture, before miracles were released, God first asked a question: “What do you have?”

A staff, A jar of oil, Five loaves and two fish, jars of water, i could go on and on about how God has always worked with what was available. He never waited for perfection—only for willingness. In this case, what you have will be your PVC!

Faith has always required participation.

Believing does not mean folding our hands and outsourcing our civic duty to heaven. Believing means taking action and trusting God to multiply that effort.

In our context today, that action is participation in governance—starting with something as basic, yet powerful, as voting, many people avoid elections with the excuse, “My vote doesn’t count.”
But let me say this clearly:

“Not voting is still a decision—and it’s the worst one.”

Preparation must meet opportunity. If an opportunity comes to correct what is broken, how can change happen if we refuse to show up?

Your PVC is what you have in your hand.

Getting your PVC is the action that shows you believe change is possible. Do your part—and let God do His.

Kwara Decides

I am a proud Kwara girl—unadulterated and unapologetic 😊
Both my parents are Kwaran. My husband is Kwaran. His parents are Kwaran too. It truly does not get more Kwaran than that. Kwara is not just where I am from; it is who I am.

That is why I am deeply invested in the coming elections. Not as a spectator, not as a casual commentator, but as someone who believes—firmly—that it is time for Kwara State to move to the next level. Potential alone is no longer enough. Promise without performance has overstayed its welcome.

My late father served this state faithfully in several capacities, including Commissioner and Governor. He gave his time, his intellect, and his heart to Kwara. As an ọmọ Ọba ((yes, Teni’s song comes to mind😉 ), service is not optional for me—it is a responsibility, a calling, and a duty handed down, not chosen.

This moment is not driven by personal ambition.
This is not about ambition. It is about legacy.

It is about the kind of Kwara we are building.
It is about what we leave behind.
It is about whether our children inherit progress—or excuses.

In the coming months, I will bring you the intrigues, the realities, and yes, the complexities of the electoral process. I will examine the candidates, assess their qualifications, and take an honest look at their records—without fear, without favour, and without sentiment.

Because Kwara deserves truth.
Kwara deserves competence.
Kwara deserves leadership that works.

From Social Media Noise to Civic Action

We are done with endless social media outrage that leads nowhere. We are tired of hashtags without action, complaints without commitment, and criticism without participation. Talking is easy. Building is harder—but necessary.

Complaints alone do not change leadership.
Participation does.

As the saying goes:
“If you don’t help choose leaders, you empower the wrong ones.”

I am more than willing to contribute in any way I can—through information, advocacy, and honest engagement. But please, hear this clearly:

Get your PVC.

That PVC is your voice.
That PVC is your power.
That PVC is your stake in the Nigeria—and the State—you want to see.

Democracy does not work by wishful thinking. It works when ordinary people show up and insist on better. If you want change, let it start with you.

Get your PVC, people.

Shalom.

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