Nigeria, Feb. 9 -- The political climate in Delta State has heightened significantly since Senator Ned Nwoko's recent alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His comments referring to the current governor as a "boy" have sparked accusations of "arrogance" from certain Delta Ijaw politicians. However, such a label invites a deeper examination of Nwoko's background and the intricate social dynamics at play. Viewing this solely as arrogance overlooks the rich cultural tapestry of age, status, respect, and tradition that holds importance in many African societies.

Within this framework, Nwoko's position as an elder contributes to his right to call the younger governor a "boy," which is a term that acknowledges their age di...