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Nigeria on the Brink: Power-Hungry Leaders Must Wake Up Before the Collapse Is Irreversible

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Nigeria on the Brink: Power-Hungry Leaders Must Wake Up Before the Collapse Is Irreversible

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Today, what matters most is Nigeria the once-great “Giant of Africa” tottering dangerously on the brink of political, economic and social collapse. The warning signs are clear to both citizens and foreign observers: security has imploded, the economy is in free fall and leadership is fixated not on governance, but on power retention and elite capture.

 

The British-born foreign journalist, David Hundeyin, recently remarked: “What we are witnessing in Nigeria is not misgovernance, it is deliberate state sabotage. You cannot destroy a country this comprehensively by accident.” This chilling diagnosis encapsulates the painful reality of a nation being asphyxiated by its very custodians.

 

A Nation Under Siege

Nigeria is in a state of war. The Nigerian Security Tracker, a project by the Council on Foreign Relations, reports that over 63,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram, bandits and state security forces since 2011. Under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who took over in 2023 amidst a disputed election and judicial controversy, insecurity has worsened. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, more than 4,000 Nigerians were either killed or abducted across the country, according to SBM Intelligence.

 

Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Plateau and Niger States remain theatres of bloodshed. The armed forces are overstretched, morale is low and intelligence operations are ineffective. The recent attack on a military convoy in Niger State that left 23 soldiers dead underscores the collapse of national defense infrastructure. Worse still, there has been a deafening silence from the presidency, no strategy to reverse the trend; just recycled promises and arrogant posturing.

 

As Femi Falana (SAN), renowned human rights lawyer, warned in a press briefing:
“We cannot run a country where lives are being lost daily and those in power are more concerned with traveling abroad, awarding themselves privileges and weaponizing poverty against their citizens. This is not governance, it is gangsterism.”

 

Economic Collapse: From Giant to Beggar
The economic outlook is just as grim. Nigeria’s naira has lost over 70% of its value against the dollar since June 2023, when President Tinubu abruptly removed fuel subsidies and floated the currency without a buffer plan. This triggered hyperinflation, with food prices soaring beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. As of March 2025, inflation stands at 34.1%, while food inflation exceeds 45%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

 

The World Bank has confirmed that over 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty, a devastating indictment of an oil-rich country whose leaders claim to be “reforming” the economy. Meanwhile, over 55% of the federal budget is used to service debt, leaving little room for capital investment or social welfare. Corruption in public finance remains unchecked and no major convictions have been recorded under this administration, despite overwhelming evidence of looting in ministries and parastatals.

 

Leadership in Disgrace

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of Nigeria’s decline is the quality of leadership. While the country bleeds, President Tinubu has spent more time outside the country than inside, embarking on over 18 foreign trips in less than a year, according to media tallies. His handlers claim these are for investment drives, yet no tangible result has been seen. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria fell to $468 million in 2024, down from over $2.5 billion in 2014, as investors flee a country plagued by policy inconsistency, Insecurity and poor infrastructure.

Instead of leadership, Nigeria is governed by power blocs of ethnic, religious and political cronies. State capture is now institutionalized, with critical institutions like the judiciary and electoral commission operating under executive pressure. The 2023 presidential election was marred by rigging, voter suppression and result tampering confirmed by both local and international observers like the EU Election Mission.

As Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission, put it:

“Nigeria is not being governed; it is being auctioned. Those in power are only interested in who controls what, who loots what and who silences who. The people are incidental to their power calculus.”

A Time to Choose: Reform or Ruin
It is no longer enough to “pray for Nigeria.” Prayer without purpose is procrastination. Nigeria must undergo an urgent political renaissance driven by citizens, activists, professionals and ethical leaders. There must be a shift from the current political structure based on patronage and tribal loyalty to a meritocratic, transparent and accountable governance model.

First, the president must cut the cost of governance. Over N10 billion was spent on installing solar panels at Aso Rock in 2024 at a time when over 80% of Nigerians lack regular electricity. This kind of reckless spending must end. Secondly, there must be a total overhaul of the security architecture, including better funding, training, and welfare for the armed forces. Third, institutional reforms are needed: the judiciary must be independent, the electoral system digitized and the civil service professionalized.

Most importantly, the leaders must stop the obsession with 2027. Instead of jostling for succession, they should focus on salvaging a country on the edge of civil implosion. Power for power’s sake has become the most destructive disease in Nigeria’s political space.

As Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once declared:
“Only those who are deaf to the cry of humanity can continue to pretend that all is well in Nigeria. This is a nation crying for revolution, if not by blood, then by conscience.”

Citizens Must Rise
While blame rests squarely on those in power, the citizens cannot afford to remain spectators. Silence is complicity. Nigerians must demand accountability at every level: local, state and federal. Civil society must intensify advocacy, the media must remain bold, and the judiciary must regain its spine.

Young Nigerians in particular, have a role to play. The #EndSARS protest of 2020 was a powerful reminder of people power. That movement was not a failure it was a rehearsal. Another reckoning is coming and this time, it must be total, peaceful and sustained. Civic education, voter registration, peaceful protest and citizen journalism are tools the people must wield.

A Final Warning
Nigeria is tottering. Foreign analysts see it. Local observers live it. The warning lights are flashing red. If urgent, people-focused and ethical leadership is not activated, Nigeria could slip into a failed state status becoming a refugee-producing zone and a threat to regional stability.

The burden is heavy, but the time is now. There is still a narrow window to rescue Nigeria from the abyss. Our leaders must shed their obsession with power and embrace the responsibility of service. Governance is not a coronation; it is a contract. If they cannot fulfill it, they must step aside or be pushed aside by history.

As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Let us not be neutral.
Let us rise.
Let us speak.
Let us act.
Nigeria is bleeding, but it is not yet dead; there is still time barely.

Nigeria on the Brink: Power-Hungry Leaders Must Wake Up Before the Collapse Is Irreversible
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

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Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos By Ifeoma Ikem

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

A property dispute within the Omotayo-Ojo family has taken a dramatic turn following a controversial demolition exercise at a residential building in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State, which reportedly left tenants displaced and led to the detention of some police officers allegedly involved in the operation.

 

 

The property, located at 23B Loveall Street, Ikosi-Ketu, has been the subject of a prolonged ownership tussle since the death of its owner, Chief Oludola Omotayo Ojo, the Babaalaje of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, in 2019.
Residents said tension erupted when a group of individuals, accompanied by security operatives, stormed the premises and commenced demolition activities.

 

 

According to eyewitnesses, portions of the building were pulled down while tenants rushed to salvage their belongings from affected apartments.

 

 

The residents alleged that windows, doors and roofing sheets were damaged during the exercise, exposing parts of the building to the elements and causing significant losses to occupants.

 

 

At the centre of the dispute is Mrs Mojisola Omotayo Ojo Alolagbe, who claimed that the property was allocated to her by her late father during his lifetime as a source of financial support.

 

She alleged that some family members had persistently challenged her ownership claim despite ongoing legal proceedings relating to the administration of the deceased’s estate.
Alolagbe further claimed that the latest incident was part of a series of attempts to wrest control of the property, citing previous cases of alleged vandalism and partial demolition in November 2025, January 2026 and February 2026.

 

 

The situation escalated further when reports emerged that police officers allegedly involved in the demolition were later apprehended and conveyed in a Black Maria vehicle over questions surrounding the legality of their participation in the operation.

 

Sources familiar with the matter said those behind the demolition had initially claimed to be acting on approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Lands. However, the authenticity and extent of such approval could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

 

 

The development has generated concern among residents and community members, who questioned the involvement of security personnel in what they described as a civil matter.

 

 

Some tenants, who said they had recently renewed their tenancy agreements, lamented the destruction of their property and appealed to the authorities for protection and possible compensation.

 

They also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the demolition, insisting that the rights of all parties involved should be protected.
Stakeholders have urged the Lagos State Government, security agencies and the judiciary to intervene and ensure that the dispute is resolved through lawful means to prevent further escalation.

 

 

The controversy has continued to draw public attention, raising concerns over property rights, estate administration and the role of law enforcement agencies in civil disputes.

 

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

 

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

 

 

 

 

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

 

 

 

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

 

 

 

 

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

 

 

 

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

 

 

 

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

 

 

 

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

 

 

 

 

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

 

 

 

 

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

 

 

 

 

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

 

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

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