By Tahir Abdurrahman Mukhtar
Nigerians are likely to continue languishing in silence hunger, poverty, hardship, abuse of all kinds of and economic, social, and political crisis as long as they are persistent in their lazy strategies.
The potential that Nigerians be Plunged into another quagmire crossed a high bar which depends on several factors such as high inflation, unemployment, currency devaluation, insurgency, banditry, ethic violence, political polarization and at its core-corruption.
Two years now, the so called “renewed hope” administration took over power, prior to his sworn into office, Nigerian president, Ahmed Bola Tinubu accentuated his agenda’s prime concern for the nation’s security “security shall be the top priority of our administration, thus neither prosperity and justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence”. But as Nigerians witnessed, no progress made but sheer escalation of violence, deterioration of security and upsurge of criminal and rampant illegal acts across the board. Many indescribable situations that could neither be anticipated nor apprehended by sane mind.
It is two years now, the so called “renewed hope” administration claimed that it will bilaterally address the power problem (that is never been intended to be fixed till now) pledging improved generational transmission and distribution which includes improved investment to the sector in order to make electricity more accessible and affordable for Nigerians which turns up to be humbug used to lure people into putting the administration back to office because there is nothing different done from the former if not worse than.
It is a government that comes to power without any concrete plan for its citizens but to carry on with the devastated and unrealistic agendas put forward by the former administration. The soi-disant “Renewed Hope” agenda contrived to be nothing but phony and lip-service.
Two years down the road, nothing accomplished but economy in ruins, democratic institutions wrecked , resources plundered, security under existential threat, chaos in politics, corruption in every sector, citizens life in jeopardy, unemployment at its peak, radical inflation above the sky and a non existent purchasing power.
Two years long, Nigerians have suffered a fate of hunger and malnutrition that no population in the world should suffer the same unless they are under siege or in reckless foreign invented civil war like Sudan.
Tinubu’s obsession with this “Renewed Hope” agenda backfires and afflicted him afterwards. Albeit he confessed in his private discourse with Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed that he has no plan for the country and no blueprint for the North that his plan would be only “based on the manifesto of the APC” and he could be “killed” if he dared to disclose his plans. When he was suggested with one by Naja’atu, it was thrown out of the window and never seen the light of the day.
While it’s important to approach discussions about the future with a balanced perspective, there are several potential challenges and risks that could lead to a darker scenario for Nigeria if not addressed effectively.
While these scenarios represent potential risks for Nigeria’s future, proactive measures, effective governance, and citizen engagement can help mitigate these challenges. The trajectory that Nigeria is heading will ultimately depend on how these issues are addressed by its leaders and society as a whole. Dive deeper approach is employed in order to understand the intricacies of the situation of the country:
1. Political Instability, facelessness, and lack of focus.
2. Economic Decline: reckless economic policies, empty promises and false value judgement
3. Escalating Security Issues: banditry, kidnapping and extra judicial willful and random killings
4. Human Rights Violations: In the face of unrest or conflict, there may be an increase in human rights abuses by state actors or armed groups. This could lead to a cycle of violence and repression, further alienating citizens from the government.
5. Environmental Degradation: Poor management of natural resources and environmental issues such as deforestation, desertification, and pollution which led to food insecurity and displacement of communities, exacerbating existing social tensions.
6. Health Crises: A lack of investment in healthcare infrastructure that of which resulted in inadequate responses to health crises, widespread disease outbreaks and high mortality rates. This can further strain public resources and create social unrest.
7. Youth Disillusionment: With a large youth population facing unemployment and limited opportunities, disillusionment led to increased radicalization and migration as young people seek better prospects elsewhere.
8. Ethnic and Religious Tensions: Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape led to multifaceted conflicts due to poor management. Heightened tensions resulted in violence, discrimination, and further division within society.
9. Brain Drain: Continued instability and lack of opportunities drived skilled professionals abroad, leading to a loss of talent that is crucial for national building and development.
10. Global Isolation: If Nigeria fails to manage its internal challenges effectively, it may face international isolation or sanctions, which could further exacerbate economic and social issues, a position that is not likely to happen.
Do Nigerians brought this calamity upon themselves?
Tinubu was well known for his sectarian philosophy and ideology to corner every single benefit to southwest and particularly Lagos. It was vividly reflected in his appointments which was absolutely geared towards Lagos. The worst part was that he clearly stated his position in Sunday Politics in the year 1997 “I Don’t Believe in One Nigeria”, he had never denied it, regardless of that he was elected president.
All evidences proved that Tinubu is a regional leader, he is proven to reduce himself to a particular region and act against the constitution which advocates for unity in diversity.
As a result, any government that never sees itself as a representative of whole of its citizens but a sect of it, it
lacks the credibility to stay in power because it doesn’t have a leg to stand. By so doing, it is balkanising the country into chunks of pieces.
Political Instability
Continued political unrest, corruption, and ineffective governance which led to the increased civil disobedience, protests, and violent conflicts. A failure to conduct free and fair elections exacerbated tensions among various political factions up to the point that the country lost control from every single angle. “From day one he’s looking forward to get another four years and not to make the life of Nigerians better ” Professor Usman Yusuf said
The role of the Government in fueling political Instability
The Nigerian government, in its legacy of various actions and inactions, has played a role in fueling many of the country’s political problems like CORRUPTION within the government and all out engagement with the culture of impunity.
First of all, Many politicians and government officials engage in corrupt practices, such as embezzlement, bribery, and nepotism. It has now become a norms that ‘Nigeria equals to Corruption’ . This creates a culture where power is used for personal gain rather than public service, deepening mistrust and weakening institutions.
For example, the case of Mr. Babachir Lawal in an N200 million contract scandal for the clearing of “invasive plant species” in Yobe State by Rholavision Nigeria Limited; a company he owns.
Evidence that Buhari’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, took a N500 million bribe from MTN to help it slash the $5 billion dollar fine slammed against it for violation of Nigeria telecommunications regulations bothering on national security; The findings of the investigation were never made public.
Abdulrasheed Maina was the head of the task force on pension reforms during the President Goodluck Jonathan -led administration but fled Nigeria in 2015 after claims that he embezzled two billion naira ($5.6 million, 4.8 million euros); and returned to the country, despite his arrest warrant he was said to have enjoyed protection from the Buhari government.
According to the Senate through its committee on public accounts, “85 government parastatals under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari have yet to submit their audit reports since the inception of his government.”
EFCC announced in May 2018, that 603 Nigerian figures had been convicted on corruption charges since Buhari took office in 2015. The EFCC also announced that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, judges and top military officers including retired service chiefs were being prosecuted for corruption. In December 2019, the country’s controversial ex-Attorney General Mohammed Adoke, who was accused of being bribed to grant oil licenses to Shell, was extradited back to Nigeria from Dubai and was immediately arrested.
However, In January 2020, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index still gave Nigeria a low ranking of 140 out of 180 countries surveyed by 2024.
The recent ones are; 2024 National Assembly budget which amounts to 197 billion Naira that is more than all Federal Universities combined, 74 billion to renew vehicles and 2 billion for each of the 36 states as palliatives.
The President spent 7 billion on his vehicle, 1.5 billion on his wife and 5 billion on his luxurious yacht.
Secondly, Politicians exploit ethnic and religious differences to secure votes or maintain power. This “divide and rule” tactic stokes tensions, fosters resentment, and can led to violence as it is reflected in 2023 election.
Professor Usman Yusuf warned youth should not “‘let anyone deceive you with ethnicity or religion because we [northerners] tried the Muslim-Muslim that has inflicted more pain to” us than any other prior governments.
Thirdly, Government agencies often fail to enforce laws fairly and consistently. Political elites are frequently shielded from prosecution, leading to impunity and undermining the rule of law.
Forthly, There are documented cases of government officials influencing electoral bodies or security agencies to favor certain candidates or parties which consequently undermines free and fair elections and weakening democratic structure of the country.
Lastly, Use of security forces to suppress opposition or critics and failure to provide basic services like security, education, and infrastructure which ultimately causes public frustration. This discontent is a textbook example of political instability or support for radical groups. The government uses police or military forces to intimidate, harass, or violently suppress political critics, opponents and protesters.
The detention of Critics like Professor Usman Yusuf and Omoyele Sowore is one of the current example of suppressing dissent as articulated by Professor Usman himself in an interview with Trust TV after his 24 days in captivity in Kuje Correctional Facility over alleged case of corruption during his time in office as a Secretary Executive of NHIS. He pointed out that “what broke the ice” which led his incarceration is literally related to the talk that he delivered at Bauchi state in a gathering organized by Matasan Arewa where he spoke extensively both in Hausa and English “for wider coverage”. From there he was survailed till he was arrested.
He expatiated that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government… are treating all of us (Nigerians) as conquered people.” He described the government behaviour as “deceitful”, “deeply unpopular”, “tribalistic, nepotistic”, “propaganda fuelled”, “corruption ridden” “hardship inflicting”, “State capturing”, “intolerant” of dissident, and “not inclusive”. He added that despite the president been dissent himself, he is now “using agent of state to stifle any dissent” which will subsequently tarnish the idea of democracy, constitutional right to freedom of expression and fundamental rights of human being.
He admonished that “President Tinubu needs to listen to critics” and the people of the country should vote out the “tyrannical government of President Tinubu” by 2027, “no body would have contested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu coming in 2027 if he’s doing the right thing… But Mr President, you have two years to correct the mess you’ve created” and if the situation is not rectified “he will lose his deposits” altogether
What happens when those vested with the onus of protecting human rights are guilty or are used in breaching those rights?
Sowore’s detention, torture and assault marked a significant and pivotal moment in the state of democracy in Nigeria. It is clearly shown that it is by design and planned in order to break the backbone of severe criticism. Sowore was detained for 48 hours, no petition, an allegations on Sahara reporters NOT Sowore, no basis for the
arrest, the arrest was in violation of the police act, seized his passport, tortured him, broken his arm, denied him treatment, denied him lawyer, faked remand order among other things.
This is not the first time that Sowore is apprehended and incarcerated; On 3rd August 2019, he was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) and detained for 5 months, for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged RevolutionNow. He was arrested again and assaulted during a protest in Abuja on 1st January 2021. Sowore was injured by a police officer during a protest in Abuja on 31st May 2021.
Omoyele Yele Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian politician, human rights activist, citizen reporter, writer, lecturer and pro-democracy campaigner, known for founding the online news agency Sahara Reporters. In August 2018, he founded the African Action Congress party and ran as its presidential candidate in the 2019 Nigerian general election. Sowore also ran for President in the 2023 Nigerian General elections.
Another way of suppressing dissent is banning broadcasters from playing the song Tell Your Papa, which vehemently criticises the president.
Artist Eedris Abdulkareem’s lyrics slam President Bola Tinubu and urge his influential son, Seyi, to let his father know “people are dying” through hardship and insecurity and there is “hunger” in the country.
In a letter to TV and radio stations, the National Broadcast Commission (NBC), which issues licenses and regulates the industry, ordered the track not to be played, saying it violates the country’s broadcast code.
Despite the crackdown, the song gained momentum and attract a lot of attention and generates countless number of audience, provoke widespread criticism and debate regarding the deteriorated situation of the country.
Regardless of all these crackdowns, governor of Anambra, Professor Chukwuma Soludo hailed the President as “in high spirit” and also being “hale and Hearty”. He extended his mind to advise those who “profess progressivism” to come and join the president’s coalition.
Is the idea of “coalition” genuine and for the the betterment of the people?
Coalition in Nigerian politics has become redundant, it is the same politicians who share the same goal of obliterating and squandering the country’s economy moving around and playing a chess game of which party is more likely to win or has money to offer in exchange of coalition. It is a matter of fact that Nigerians benefited nothing from the past coalition and it crossed a high bar of speculation that this coalition will be a catastrophic disaster that Nigerians have never seen because of the following conclusions reached by some experts:
Sowore described the idea of coalition as a facade; “it is a coalition without conviction “they’re the same corrupt people just changing uniforms and changing parties overnight, transfer power to themselves…, they mean nothing to the country” but devastation and destruction of the economy.
He added that these kinds of coalition (referring to PDP’s) is what will make it for this failed administration (Tinubu’s) to return to office. “they’re preventing the real organic coalition of the oppressed to fight back. People are just getting distracted” by these so called “coalition”
Owolabi Ramon, Managing Director of Zorilab Ventures, author/public affairs analyst contrasted the idea of
coalition as a “waste of time” by looking at the motive of people within the world of the coalition which is apparently not in favor of the public. Even though he clarified that Nigerians always look for “lesser of two evils”.
Change and reforms
From Owolabi perspective, Nigeria as a nation has “NO problem” but we (the Nigerians) are the problem”; meanwhile, if it is the nation that has the problem “we will be plagued by natural disasters” like tsunami draught and earthquake. He expatiated that the onus is on the people to make the country realise the ideal ambitions that everyone had in his head because the government is rooted out from the people. He argues that every revolutionary change starts with the grassroots, that is, no nation can have a positive change without enormous effort from the small deeds of the unknown individuals. He expatiated that “no single person can change Nigeria” but a need off all hands on a deck; a collective effort is needed, but it is up to the president to choose in his administration who shared his ambitions. “Everyone is trying to take advantage of the other person”
He claimed that most of the statistics that this Government gave were “cooked up” because they were not in accordance with the reality and what is on the street all these is as a result of Nigerian officials are entirely disconnected from the reality, they never intermingle with the lower of the society nor put themselves in the shoes of those who are suffering.
Power often circulates among elites from certain regions ethnic groups or age groups. Many Nigerians, especially youth and marginalized communities, feel excluded from political processes. Owolabi warned that if youths embark on into politics without knowledge, strategies or blueprint it will be a catastrophic disaster and even “worse” than ever seen, that they “need to be equipped” beforehand.
Economic Decline
Over-reliance on oil exports and failure to diversify the economy led to severe economic downturns, especially in the face of fluctuating global oil prices. High unemployment rates, inflation, and poverty coul worsen, leading to social unrest.
President Tinubu layed out his administration agenda and promises that he declared to fulfill in his life of presidency called “renewed hope” which Sowore called “renewed hopelessness”. Sowore claimed that late Buhari administration “killed Nigeria” while Tinubu’s is “preparing Nigeria for burial”
Sowore warned since late Buhari’s administration that Nigeria “is about to take the place of India next year as world poorest place live on earth” and mildly advised Nigerians to “stand up, once and for all, peacefully and take their country back through peaceful democratic” processes.
Like many nations, Nigeria has experienced economic shocks from beyond its shores in recent years, but there are also issues specific to the country, mostly driven by the so called “reforms” introduced by President Bola Tinubu when he took office.
Sowore pointed out that the main causative agent of such economic shocks and why Nigeria was thrown into
recession in the first place is “the ruling government [Buhari’s] could not form a cabinet for six months” before it worsen, on the other hand the administration claimed that Nigerians are “Lazy”, but the actual people that are “lazy” are the ones “that can not form a cabinet for six months” to tackle the recession.
“We have become a nation that has pushed people not into poverty this time around [but] to multidimensional poverty” Sowore said. Study shows that in 1970, there are less than 7 million Nigerians in multidimensional poverty but by the year 2025, there are over 170 million people in multidimensional poverty. It is well known that the minimum wage in 1975 is better than that of 2025, Sowore explained.
Nkechi Ogbonna wrote in an article that “Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, leading to widespread hardship and anger. “Overall, annual inflation, which is the average rate at which prices go up, is now close to 30% – the highest figure in nearly three decades. The cost of food has risen even more – by 35%.” he added.
However, minimum wage has never been uplifted by even 1%, whereby sometimes workers are paid overdue or not ever paid immemorial; this was testified by countless civil servants and testimonies.
In an interview with a respondent Mlm Muhammadu, a resident of Unguwar Wambai, he lamented the dire situation that he and his family have gone, are going and likely will continue to go through “we can spend two days without eating a loaf of bread, we can even spend a month without having a complete two-square meal a day. Our life has been devastated, we don’t get an ounce of relief from government”.
Ogbanna cited “One clip shows a woman cutting a fish into nine pieces rather than the average four to five. She is heard saying her goal is to ensure her family can at least eat some fish twice a week.” “Eventually we are turned into beggars”
The war in Ukraine caused inflation to skyrocket in different countries which coincides with the President Tinubu’s heedless economic policy that ultimately Plunged the country into an overlapped quagmire left over by the deceased, former president Muhammadu Buhari by going all out and removed the very last and “long- standing” fuel subsidy.
Despite the fact that the situation Nigerians are living in, Mohammed Idriss, Minister of Information claimed in a closed door meeting in Abuja that Nigerias economy is on a “solid foot… Of 1 trillion dollar economy” that the president promised and is “rated High by global AGENCIES”, there is abundant amount of food and the issue of insecurity has already been “TACKLED” by Mr. President and all governors. He added that by the time Mr. President completes his first term, “Nigerians will be BETTER off for it”
International Monetary Fund (IMF) report released on Tuesday, June 2025, shows Nigeria’s GDP per capita at $807, ranked 12th poorest; placing the country among the bottom 15 out of 50 nations surveyed.
It is not the first time that international bodies say arguably false statements about the economy of Nigeria which is direct opposite to what is on the ground. Recently, the he World Bank and Financial Times said that Nigeria’s economy recorded its fastest growth in about a decade in 2024, driven by a strong fourth quarter and an improved fiscal policies on 7th February 2025. International Monetary Fund (IMF) marked Nigeria’s economy to OUTPACE UK’s, Germany’s, Canada’s, and absurdly the US’s. This kind of propaganda has been the case since
1980s.
To the people living in the country, this is an utter nonsense and laughable comment by the so called “International Agencies”
Senator Aliyu Wadada laid a claim that no one can stand and gears the country in a right direction “Better” than the president Tinibu.
While many people see it as a man made disaster that befell the country in two years, “it was a huge drain on public finances” but “Mr. Tinubu argued that the money could be better used elsewhere.”
‘Even’ Prof. Pat Utomi critiqued President Tinubu’s administration “for channeling vital national resources into non-productive sectors.” He also expressed deepest concern that such miscalculation and “misallocation hampers economic growth and stifles job creation”, urging leaders to prioritise sectors that “stimulate development and enhance citizens’ welfare”.
As a result of these harsh economic policies, a huge number of companies and factories were forced out of their respective markets, while other companies place the transportation and energy costs in the hands of the consumers.
Public affairs analyst, Ayode Adewale reasonably argued that those billions spent on subsidies are paying for unfounded or non existent products. It was proven that substantial amount of products subsidised by Nigerian government are being exported to other neighbouring countries while they were already subsidised by Nigerian government and meant for “domestic” consumption. The removal of subsidy exposed such kinds of malpractice.
But Sowore budged the argument as to stop subsidising those who are “stealing from the poor” not to went all out and remove fuel subsidy, as a result, many people were thrown in to life long poverty.
The President claimed his position in taking those drastic economic measures “the only alternative to the reforms we initiated was a fiscal crisis” he listed “runaway inflation, external debt default, crippling fuel shortages, a plunging Naira, and an economy in a free fall. Despite the bump in the cost of living, we have made undeniable progress, inflation has begun to EASE, rice prices and other staples are DECLINING, oil and gas sectors is RECOVERING. Recounts are up by over 400% and over $8 billion in new investments have been committed.”
Sowore debunked the argument of the current administration of Tinubu as scheme of practicing the same tactics again and again and expecting different result. He added that those statements were just” invented” by the president because they do not “reflect the reality on the ground”. No price is reduced, no inflation that deflates and there is no any such “$8 billion investment” coming into the country, He is just claiming progress when he is making none.
All these traced when those in power are living in alternate reality and not being in touch with their base. He claimed that nothing in the current administration can be assessed because there is “nothing to assess”. The economy is in shamble and but was left collapse, “it is an administration that came to power with no agenda, policies or even blueprint for the country” neither in mind nor in writing. Today Nigeria has no past, no present
and no future.
He added that this administration is not here for governance but only about making, consolidation of power through coalition and looking for any means to remain in power
Sowore extended and shed light on the prior administration of late President Buhari as an administration that came to power with three main agendas “revamp economy”, improve security” and “fight corruption”. He contended that none of these issues worsen than in the period of that regime; “insurgency worsen than ever before, anti- corruption war is one sided” that is, the only indication that you are corrupt is “if you [were] not a member of the ruling party” and the economy at its “worst of all times”,
He went on lambasting and accusing the former government as a facade through concocting statistical figures and claiming the upsurge in local agriculture, insurgency being defeated and corruption being tackled. “Propaganda can not be indices” or assessment to rely on. “If you fooled us before you can’t keep fooling us”
If the current government is true to its cause, it will have economic policy that focuses on production, manufacturing and export oriented economy, while in monetary policy, they should not increase the interest rate, devalue the currency and float it and they should not burden the students with unrepayable loans because the authorities paid very little for their study and enjoyed free education.
Countless economic expert argued that currency should not be subjected to the whims and caprice of the market and speculators like renowned Economist, Jeffrey Sachs.
If Nigeria continues in the trajectory it is going, there is no hope for any decisive paradigm shift that is likely to send shockwaves of changes across the country.
Escalating Security Issues:
Ongoing violence from insurgent groups, banditry, ethnic clashes, and communal violence destabilized most of the regions. If security forces are unable to effectively address these threats, it could lead to a breakdown of law and order. The intriguing part of it is the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa said “everybody should learn how to defend himself” which is an HONEST and FRANK statement to make and shows that the security that the government promised to provide just a deceit.
As Sowore put it “without security you are wasting your time”. The country that is currently almost “overrun by terrorists, bandits [and] kidnappers all across the country”. When the regime came to office, Boko Haram had a stronghold in Borno and Yobe, but all indicators showed that they are moving very fast and they are now close to Abuja and Kogi towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Bulama Bukarti, Nigerian Human rights and Anti Corruption lawyer (Senior Analyst at The Extremism Policy Unit, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, London) stated at The 2nd Shinkafi Intelligence & Security Summit that ” unfortunately, we are not seeing the kind of example [ of leadership] we should see in the country…. If we look at the DSS data, Nigeria is facing insecurity pandemic in which literally hundreds of Nigerians are killed every single month” which is likely to exacerbate and extend to unimaginable frequency, time and bloodshed.
He reiterated that “until today [there is] no consistent, clear [and] comprehensive policy framework on the situation” bedevilling the country. He added that the Federal and state governments do nothing but playing hide -and-seek and paying lip service.
He expressed his outrage about the Federal Government statement that “they are now treating them [bandits] as criminals” as if they are not treating them as such when the bandits massacred innocent people, despite the case they kidnapped over 300 children and kept them in captivity for 60 days. No country could this happened and the authorities get back their palaces and sleep, “then what is the function of the government” whereby one of the central government responsibility is to provide security for each and every citizen “any government that cannot do that, [it] has no business to be in office”.
DSS has presented the data of the criminals but “no one is acting on the intelligence they are gathering” which vividly shows how negligent the Intelligence department was. It shows that there is no central body that is able to coordinate the 17 security agencies existed in the country. It is even reported that some governors are calling for the setting up of Vigilante groups which is illegal in the Constitution of the country. However, a bill of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (Establishment) was adopted by National Assembly, even though it wasn’t signed by the government.
Bulama cautioned that if government allows such kinds of things continue to happen, in accordance with the intelligence information; mob action cannot get rid of these criminals that are carrying operations with advanced weaponry. He concluded that, whenever the terrorists “are done with”, this will create a massive blowback that will fabricate another form of militia groups that they will never be able to combat, because they were already armed, trained and authorised by the same government which will plunge the country into another chaos and subsequently topple the government from power; this can be said to be an existential catastrophe.
Sowore has had a contrary view that as long as police are not well cared and well equipped, favorable result can never be anticipated; “you can’t have people protecting you left unprotected,… Otherwise you are not protected”.
He commended Zulum for the tireless efforts he made in curbing the security threats in Borno state, though he did not succeed, but he made a decisive move to stop the insurgencies.
He firmly asserted that at the end “the fact of the matter is, there is no synergy, no policy and this country will continue to bleed from armed robbers, kidnappers and terrorists if we continue this way and federal government has to show leadership.
Social Activist, Nigerian Political commentator and Advocate of Good governance, Professor of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Usman Yusuf, Physician, Former Executive Secretary of NHIC took 180 turn from Bulama solution plan that “there is a role for the military, but there won’t be a military solution… The role of the military is vital in this conflict; without the military northeast would have been overrun by Boko Haram, without the military northwest and north central would be overrun by these bandits, without the military IPOB will overrun the southeast, without the military all these cultures will overrun the south south, without the military southwest will have warlords all over the place.”
He added that banditry and other major crisis happening within the vicinity of cities is a “social problem” that
Nigerian authorities are increasingly militarizing that of which can be solved within the community and by the community, but Nigerian security forces went ahead dropping “million dollar bombs on the people we should be providing water for.” He turned the orientation that almost every security challenges are “not” military problems but social. The main advise he proposed is that elders, clerics and local heads and chiefs are required to be employed in order to look at the fundamental issues; the causes, grievances and possible solutions. “we are putting the military to clean up after the mess of politicians.”
He explained that these bandits are “our flesh and blood… the only foreign about them is their guns and their arms”. He recounted when they talked to some of the armed group leaders, articulating their grievances, “Dr. King said (viaolence is the voice of the unheard)”
He claimed that President Tinubu is the “first Commander in Chief in this country that his hands off on security” that he is “the most reckless President” and warned for imminent revolution and that the Tinubu government has miserably “failed” and called it an “absolute failure”. The late chief of army of staffs, General Taoreed Lagbaja cried out that “the troops are tired… Our soldiers are developing Post-Traumatic-Disorder, some are resorting to drugs “;they were totally exhausted, Boko Haram 16 Years, Banditry 11 Years. It’s known that there is no conventional military which is not driven by ideology or fighting foreign power that can withstand such kind of elasticity and it is in an unwinnable situation. The fight “can never be won on the battlefield”
He insisted that every single conflict can be “solved locally” as Gandhi put it “Whatever you do for me without me is against me”.
Sowore unapologetically said that “this is a government of liars”
Sowore affirmed that security agents are “part of the society… part of us”. They are “a reflection of who we are…, how they get paid” and “how they are treated”
What’s the Future of Nigeria
Nigerians should have some people in power that think out of the box, with different mindset and fresh energy who have the full capacity and understanding of the Nigerian political games. Most importantly, they should be true to their goals of change, true to their words and minds and unshakable conviction that they are able to bring the change. And never allowed themselves to be provoked by any response whatsoever and be clear, persistent and fair minded.
Sowore claimed that Nigeria has never been a democracy, “but there is a transition to civil rule…, we’re looking for real democracy”. He postulated that “I don’t see a second term” for Tinubu’s administration, “I do not see an end to a first time that will end well because they have not started well”
Professor Usman Yusuf assesses the situation and come to the conclusion that this Government is “interested in 2027 elections, not in governance, not interested in alleviating the suffering of the people that it has brought onto them… People have lost hope” as perceived by most of the populace it is a man made humanitarian catastrophe.
He firmly asserted that no government worthy of criticizing than the present day government, it’s a government of “destitution, deceit and hopelessness”
The questions that read themselves:
Does fuel subsidy removal serve Nigerians or foreign power? Are there foreign influence?
Do Nigerians lose hope?
Will there be a Free and Fair election in the upcoming election?
