Nigeria’s political landscape has long been marred by the disillusionment of its people—who, despite their unwavering spirit and resilience, have continuously been betrayed by their so-called leaders. Today, the grim reality is that we are watching an administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one that epitomizes the very same rot that has plagued our nation for decades.
While some may attempt to defend President Tinubu’s actions, let us not forget that the heart of this issue lies not only with the president but also with the corrupt governors who, despite their misdeeds, have found refuge under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The notion that a few corrupt individuals can hold our nation hostage—by either accumulating wealth through illicit means or manipulating power for personal gains—is a direct result of a broken system that refuses to reform itself. And now, this system has given birth to an even more insidious reality: the consolidation of power in a way that risks reducing Nigeria to a one-party state.
It’s true, many will say President Tinubu is merely trying to secure stability, to move the country forward under the guise of national unity. But how can a nation be united when its leadership is so steeped in corruption that the people can no longer tell where the line between politics and criminality begins? Can we truly call it unity when people with stained reputations are welcomed with open arms into the corridors of power, simply because they can offer votes or influence?
The former governors who have now become part of the Tinubu administration represent more than just political figures—they are symbols of everything that is wrong with Nigeria’s leadership. These individuals, some of whom are rumored to have committed unspeakable crimes while in office, now sit comfortably under the banner of the APC. They are, in essence, beneficiaries of a leadership system that rewards the very same corruption that has perpetuated Nigeria’s downfall.
What does this say about the moral compass of a party that claims to be the torchbearer of change? How can APC leaders sit idly by while individuals with tarnished legacies continue to wield influence, knowing full well that they are only adding to the festering wound of Nigeria’s political system? These individuals aren’t just political leaders; they are predators who exploit the system for their own personal gain, and they do so with the tacit approval of the very party that claims to be the solution to Nigeria’s woes.
It is heartbreaking to witness how the Nigerian people, who have endured years of hardship, are now forced to watch as their leaders—people they trusted—actively work to make their lives more difficult. The so-called ‘reformers’ are, in reality, complicit in the system they promised to dismantle. The very notion of accountability, justice, and good governance has been sacrificed at the altar of political expediency and power consolidation.
The real tragedy here is the way this system perpetuates itself. By welcoming corrupt leaders into the fold, the APC has not only undermined its own credibility but has effectively eliminated any chance of true change. It is a dangerous game that is being played, one that leaves the Nigerian people as mere spectators in a spectacle of political theater.
Can we really blame President Tinubu for attempting to create a one-party system when he himself has allowed this monstrous charade to continue? The truth is, the blame cannot fall solely on his shoulders, nor can it fall solely on the corrupt governors who hide behind the veil of party loyalty. The blame lies with every Nigerian who has allowed this evil to persist.
This is a system that thrives on power, greed, and manipulation—where the people are nothing more than pawns in a political game they have no power to change. This is a government that welcomes corruption with open arms, where the evil of the past is not only ignored but celebrated. And for as long as this continues, the heartbreaking cycle of failure and despair will remain unbroken.
President Tinubu and the APC must look in the mirror and ask themselves: What kind of nation are we building? A nation where only the corrupt thrive, where the voice of the people is silenced, and where the promise of a better future is nothing but a distant dream?
Nigeria deserves better. The people deserve better. But until the corrupt leaders who fuel this disaster are held accountable, we will continue to march down this painful path—a path that only leads to further destruction.
By: Godwin Offor
