society
Crisis Ignored, Chaos Invited: Nigeria’s Looming Danger
Crisis Ignored, Chaos Invited: Nigeria’s Looming Danger.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria’s Fragile Democracy Faces Its Greatest Test Since 1999″.
The morning begins like any other in Lagos, Kano or Abuja, but the scene is anything but ordinary. A young mother stands in a long queue at the petrol station, clutching her children, while the fuel pump has run dry. In the distance, sirens wail as yet another town suffers a kidnapping or bandit attack. Across the city, politicians board private jets, oblivious to the hardships grinding ordinary Nigerians into despair. This is not fiction, it is the daily reality of a nation teetering on the edge. History tells us that when crises like these fester, the line between instability and outright coup is perilously thin.
The Crisis in Plain Sight.
Nigeria’s crises have intensified dramatically since 2020. Inflation has soared past 34%, wiping out savings and rendering salaries worthless. Unemployment hovers around 40%, leaving millions desperate, disillusioned and prone to unrest. Security Failures (kidnappings, terrorist attacks, banditry) reveal a state unable to protect its citizens.
The government’s response often appears detached, more focused on optics than solutions. Promises of energy reforms, new policies and economic programs routinely fail to materialize, eroding trust. Citizens feel abandoned, security forces feel unsupported and the stage is set for opportunists to exploit the vacuum.
Leadership Missteps Amplify Instability.
The defining characteristic of recent governance is disconnect. Leaders flaunt wealth, travel abroad or engage in symbolic gestures while the masses grapple with hunger, insecurity and uncertainty.
When a government prioritizes propaganda over practical solutions, loyalty (especially among soldiers, bureaucrats and political elites) becomes conditional. History proves this dangerous: weakened governments invite intervention from those with the power and willingness to act, whether for “national stability” or personal ambition.
Military Opportunism in Waiting.
Nigeria’s military has long positioned itself as the ultimate arbiter when civilian leadership falters. The coups of 1966, 1975 and 1983 followed similar patterns: economic hardship, political corruption and rising public frustration.
Today, the combination of:
Soaring unemployment and economic distress
Widespread insecurity and mass protests
Ethnic and regional tensions
Political factionalism and elite infighting
creates conditions ripe for military or opportunistic interventions. Even within civilian circles, fractured loyalties mirror the divisions that historically precede coups.
Clear Warning Signs.
The warning signs are obvious:
Mass Protests: EndSARS in 2020 was only the beginning; ongoing demonstrations over fuel scarcity, electricity tariffs and poor governance reveal widespread dissatisfaction.
Security Collapse: Kidnappings, terrorist attacks and armed banditry highlight the government’s inability to safeguard citizens.
Institutional Weakness: Courts, electoral bodies and anti-corruption agencies are often paralyzed or politically compromised.
Elite Fractures: Infighting within ruling parties and regional discontent further weaken national cohesion.
Unchecked, these indicators do not just predict unrest, they invite power grabs from factions willing to exploit the vacuum.
Comparative Lessons.
Global history offers stark lessons. Myanmar’s 2021 coup followed decades of ethnic conflict, weak governance and ignored crises. Sudan’s 2019 military takeover was triggered by economic collapse and public protests against Omar al-Bashir.
Nigeria, with its ethnic diversity, vast resources and complex political structure, is particularly vulnerable. Weak governments rarely survive without intervention from disciplined actors like the military or from political godfathers seeking power.
Breaking the Cycle: Prevention is Possible.
The trajectory from crisis to coup is predictable, but preventable. Nigeria must act decisively:
Address Root Causes: Economic mismanagement, corruption and inequality cannot be papered over. Policies must deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
Strengthen Institutions: Courts, anti-corruption agencies and electoral bodies must function independently. The military must remain apolitical and disciplined.
Engage Citizens: Civic trust is essential. Transparency, accountability and equitable governance can mitigate unrest.
Monitor Security Forces: Regular audits of morale, loyalty and readiness reduce the likelihood of opportunistic intervention.
Without these measures, Nigeria risks repeating historical cycles of instability, coups and authoritarian backslides.
The Moral Imperative.
Crisis management is a moral duty. Leaders who fail betray citizens and erode the social contract. Citizens, too, bear responsibility: apathy, normalization of dysfunction or tolerance of incompetence strengthens the conditions that invite coups or authoritarian interventions.
A Nation at the Crossroads.
Nigeria is at a pivotal juncture. Crises from 2020–2025 (economic collapse, insecurity, social unrest) are no longer warnings; they are lived realities. The nation must choose vigilance over inertia, reform over stagnation and accountability over opportunism.
History shows that the descent from crisis to coup is neither accidental nor inevitable; it results from neglect, weak governance and moral failure. If Nigeria fails to act, the next chapter may be written not by democrats or reformers, but by opportunists indifferent to suffering, leaving an immeasurable human, economic and moral cost.
NAWOJ: SEKINAT, CHARITY GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists,(NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter Executives has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Chairman NAWOJ SEKINAT Salam and the Financial Secretary, Charity James, saying that, their leadership reflect the ideal and objectives of NAWOJ.
This was revealed in a communique issued at an Emergency meeting of the Executive held at the NUJ State Council, Iwe-Iroyin in Abeokuta.
The vote of confidence on the Leadership of NAWOJ was unanimously signed by all the five executive members that attended the meeting with the vice chairperson taking apology for official engagement outside the state capital.
According to the communique ” Consequently, NAWOJ Ogun State Chapter, reaffirms it’s unwavering support and confidence in the Chairperson and the Financial Secretary, Sekinat Salam and Charity James respectively, Urge them to continue in their commitment to purposeful leadership in the best interest of the association and the society at large”.
Speaking briefly with Journalists after the emergency Executive meeting, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Woman Journalists (NAWOJ), Com. Sekinat Salam, said the meeting was necessary as the news of her suspension was laughable and insulting because it is like a pot calling a kettle black in this case, saying that the Leadership of the State Council, Com. Wale Olanrewaju has no local standing to suspend her or any executive member, even he cannot be a judge in his own case.
According to her” The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State led by Wale Olanrewaju has always been misusing power without recourse to the constitution of this noble Union, hence has no local standing to suspend me or any executive member “.
She said only the Central Working Committee (CWC) has the constitutional rights to sanction or suspend any members found wanting after due process has been followed.
While calling on members to stay calm, Com. Sekinat Salam assured members of positive representation of NAWOJ at both the State and National level, adding the success recorded under her administration cannot be overemphasized.
She therefore called on the National leadership of NUJ to critically look into the matter, either by setting up independent committee to investigate the issues and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Adron Homes Chairman Congratulates Oyo State on 50 Years of Progress
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has congratulated the Government and people of Oyo State as the state marks its 50th anniversary, describing the occasion as a celebration of resilience, cultural pride, and sustained progress.
He noted that since its creation, Oyo State has remained a strong contributor to Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development, emerging as a hub of commerce, education, and innovation.
According to him, the Golden Jubilee offers a moment for reflection and renewed commitment by government, private sector players, traditional institutions, and citizens toward building a more inclusive and prosperous state.
Aare Emmanuelking commended the state’s ongoing transformation through investments in infrastructure, economic expansion, and human capital development, adding that sustainable growth is deliberate and must remain purpose-driven.
He also praised the leadership of the current administration while acknowledging the contributions of past leaders whose efforts laid the foundation for today’s Oyo State.
Reaffirming Adron Homes’ commitment to national development, he described Oyo State as a land of opportunity. He wished the state continued peace and prosperity, expressing confidence that the next fifty years will bring even greater achievements for the Pace Setter State and its people.
TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION CONDOLES WITH BIU EMIRATE OVER TRAGIC ATTACK
In a profound expression of sorrow, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, following the recent tragic attack attributed to Boko Haram. This devastating assault, which occurred at a work site in northeastern Nigeria, claimed the lives of dozens, including brave soldiers committed to protecting the nation.
In a statement released to the press and signed by the Chairman of the foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, the Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, described the incident as “one too many senseless, barbaric, and ruthless displays of inhumanity.” His Excellency emphasized the heartbreaking impact of such attacks on innocent, hardworking citizens striving to make a positive difference in their communities.
The Grand Patron praised the swift and decisive response of military personnel during this critical time, underscoring their brave commitment to safeguarding the nation. He called upon them to maintain this momentum, commending their courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity. “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannah Firdouse,” he remarked, encouraging the nation to honor their spirit of sacrifice as they rally together to rebuild and restore hope across the region.
In his statement, Gen. Buratai highlighted the importance of collective action in overcoming the challenges posed by insecurity, urging concerned citizens to increase their efforts in fostering a virile community that future generations can cherish. “Together, we can surmount these troubles,” he asserted, calling on all patriotic leaders and citizens to unite in the fight against violence and insecurity.
The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace, security, unity, and prosperity. As the foundation extends its condolences to the bereaved, it also calls upon all segments of society to collaborate in creating a better and safer future. May Allah guide and protect the nation and lead it toward enduring peace. Amen.
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