Ajùbà and Atìbàbà: The Two Pillars of Nigerian Politics

When I was a young boy growing up, I loved associating with the elderly ones and I remember sitting by my grandpa in the evenings, under the moonlight, as he told me a story that carried deep wisdom. This story has never left me.

He said: “In every farming season, a wise farmer does two things before the harvest. First, he builds Ajùbà, then he makes sure of Atìbàbà.”

I asked him what that meant. He explained that Ajùbà is the small hut a farmer builds on the farm before planting begins. That is where he rests, where he keeps his tools, and where he shelters when the sun is hot or the rain comes suddenly. Without Ajùbà, the farmer is exposed.

Then he spoke of Atìbàbà. He said it is like the ceiling of a house. It is what shields the family inside from storms, from heat, and from danger. Without Atìbàbà, the house may have walls, but it is never safe.

My grandpa would smile and say: “Omo mi, politics is just like farming.” And today, when I look at Nigeria, I understand exactly what he meant.

Ajùbà in politics is the grassroots, the ordinary people, the market women, the okada riders, the students, the chiefs, the farmers, the artisans. It is the trust and loyalty a politician builds from the bottom up. Without Ajùbà, you are like a stranger in your own land. You may shout, but no one will stand with you when you are in crisis.

Atìbàbà in politics is the cover from above, the blessing of party elders, the support of institutions, the influence of leaders, and the structures that protect and sustain your ambition. Without Atìbàbà, you may be loved by the people, but you are vulnerable to forces stronger than you.

In Nigeria, I have seen those who had only Ajùbà. The people loved them, but when the primaries came, they were cast aside because they lacked Atìbàbà. I have also seen those who had only Atìbàbà, the godfathers behind them, but no Ajùbà. The day their cover was removed, they collapsed because they had no root among the people.

So my grandpa would end the story by saying: “Omo mi, politics is like farming; it is not for the careless farmer. The wise one builds Ajùbà before planting, and he never forgets Atìbàbà to cover his house. That is how harvest is preserved.”

Today, I see how true that lesson is for Nigeria. Politics cannot survive on sentiments alone. It is not enough to be loved at the grassroots, and it is not enough to be covered by godfathers. For politics to truly thrive, we need people who are strategic, who understand when to build Ajùbà, and when to secure Atìbàbà.

We need leaders who can read the game, balance the people with the power structures, and turn politics from noise into development. Only then will we build a political house that stands the test of time, strong at the root, safe under the roof.

That is the kind of politics Nigeria needs.

Written By @OBAAdeyemiO