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Crisis Ignored, Chaos Invited: Nigeria’s Looming Danger

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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.

 

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STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

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AHMAD GUMI: CLERIC OF BLOOD, FACE OF HATE 

STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

 

 

I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.

 

 

I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.

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I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.

 

He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.

STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

 

Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.

 

 

 

For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.

 

 

Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.

 

 

Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.

 

 

 

Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.

 

 

 

Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.

 

 

 

Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.

 

 

 

Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.

 

 

I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.

 

 

 

There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.

 

 

It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.

 

 

 

I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.

 

 

He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.

 

These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.

 

 

Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.

 

For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.

 

 

He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.

 

 

Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.

 

I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.

 

Game on!

 

 

(FFK)

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OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship

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OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.

 

 

The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.

The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.

Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.

According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.

He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.

The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.

Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.

Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.

She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.

Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.

She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.

The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.

The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.

Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.

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Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess

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Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess

By George Omagbemi Sylvester 

“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”

https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans

 

Wednesday, March18, 2026

 

In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.

 

Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.

 

A Travesty of Priorities

 

Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.

 

According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.

 

“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”

 

Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”

 

Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.

 

The Cost of Foreign Pageantry

 

This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.

 

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.

 

Nigeria Jagajaga!

 

The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.

 

Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.

 

What Nigerians Deserve

 

President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.

 

As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.

 

If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.

 

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