society
Nigeria’s Curse of Inverted Leadership: How Greedy Fools Hijacked Power While True Activists Are Left Behind
Nigeria’s Curse of Inverted Leadership: How Greedy Fools Hijacked Power While True Activists Are Left Behind.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria is a nation bleeding not from natural disasters or foreign invasions, but from the deliberate elevation of fools, greedy misfits, empty-headed manipulators and wicked siphoners of public funds into high political and economic positions. While the true patriots (our real natural activists) languish in low places, silenced, marginalized and often criminalized. This is not just an accident of fate; it is a carefully orchestrated inversion of values designed to keep Nigeria perpetually underdeveloped and in bondage.
There is no justification for a country as richly blessed in human and natural resources to be crawling in shame, poverty and insecurity. And yet, here we are, because we have placed square pegs in round holes. We elect thieves and expect transparency. We reward incompetence and pray for miracles. The tragedy is not just the ignorance of the masses, but the cunning of the elite who keep reshuffling the same deck of political jesters, many of whom are neither intellectually nor morally qualified to lead.
” _When the wicked rule, the people groan_.” Proverbs 29:2
This biblical wisdom could not be more apt. Nigeria groans under the weight of clueless leadership, men and women whose only credentials are the ability to loot and lie without shame. These individuals lack vision, empathy or any form of developmental mindset. They rise to power through manipulation, rigging and blood-stained wealth. And once in office, they treat national resources as private inheritance.
*LET’S CALL NAMES*: how do we explain a political system that promotes people facing corruption allegations into ministerial appointments? How do we justify the appointment of individuals who cannot recite the national anthem or articulate a policy vision as governors, senators or commissioners? Nigeria is probably the only country where being caught stealing public funds makes you more politically relevant than being an honest advocate of reform.
“ _No nation can rise above the quality of its leadership_.” ~ Chinua Achebe
This truth continues to slap Nigeria in the face. Our greatest minds are not in Aso Rock, in the National Assembly or the state government houses. They are in exile, in underground movements, in social media spaces and civil society groups shouting truth into the void while rogues with padded agbadas and bulletproof SUVs rule with arrogance.
One may ask, “ _Why aren’t the true activists rising to power?_” The answer lies in the deliberate and violent structure of Nigerian politics. The electoral process is rigged from start to finish. From party primaries to the declaration of results, the system is designed to eliminate sincerity. The political thugs are funded by godfathers. The real change agents are harassed, arrested or frustrated into silence. They lack the financial muscle to compete in a terrain where Naira notes are more powerful than manifestos.
“ _Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter._” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
And yet, the real activists must not give up (because the biggest danger Nigeria faces today is not even the looters in office) it is the silence and compromise of those who should speak up. It is the passivity of intellectuals, clerics, academics and some few traditional leaders who now dine with devils for crumbs.
The system elevates noise-makers with no track record of integrity, just a network of praise singers. In 2023, Nigerians witnessed the recycling of old political faces known for nothing other than their ability to switch parties and buy loyalty. While this happens, young, vibrant leaders with fresh ideas are dismissed as “INEXPERIENCED,” “TOO IDEALISTIC,” or WORSE, “THREATS TO NATIONAL UNITY.”
In the words of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, “ _Na craze world be dis._” Indeed, it is madness that thieves are called “YOUR EXCELLENCY” and warriors of truth are labelled “TROUBLEMAKERS.”
Nigeria’s political tragedy is also worsened by the complicity of the people. Many citizens celebrate criminals in agbadas because of tribalism, religion or temporary handouts. We defend mediocrity when it is our ethnic brother wearing the crown. We forget that poverty does not recognize ethnicity; when hospitals collapse, both Hausa and Igbo patients die; when roads fail, both Ijaw and Itsekiri crash.
“ _Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter_.” ~ African Proverb
It is time the lions (the true patriots, the honest men and women who have dedicated their lives to fighting injustice) began to tell their stories, to rise beyond mere activism and seize platforms of power; because ACTIVISM without STRATEGY is noise and noise without POLITICAL POWER changes NOTHING.
Let us also not forget that leadership is not just about occupying public office. Many of Nigeria’s saviours may never become governors or presidents, but they can influence minds, awaken consciences and organize alternatives. What we need is a grassroots revolution; not necessarily with guns, but with ideas, education and civic courage.
Take for instance the likes of Comrade Shehu Sani, Omoyele Sowore, and Aisha Yesufu. These are individuals who speak with clarity and consistency, yet the system treats them as irritants. Compare them to many of the current state governors or lawmakers whose legislative records are empty, whose media engagements are filled with incoherence and whose communities remain undeveloped. The contrast is glaring and sickening.
The 2024 minimum wage debate is another sad illustration. While over 20 states have failed to implement the ₦70,000 wage, governors continue to live in luxury, maintain bloated convoys and embark on foreign trips in the name of attracting investors. What investor will come to a land where workers are unpaid, infrastructure is crumbling and insecurity reigns?
“ _Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will._” ~ Frederick Douglass
It’s time Nigerians began to make that demand; not just on social media, but in the streets, in the ballot box, in schools and in marketplaces. We must reject this inverted pyramid where mediocrity sits on top and brilliance is crushed underneath. We must stop electing jesters and criminals and expect miracles.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Restructure Electoral Integrity; Until elections are fair and transparent, fools will keep ruling.
Public Funding of Activists: Let us create crowd-funding systems to support credible, passionate and intellectually sound candidates.
Civic Education: We must re-educate Nigerians to understand that character is more important than tribe or religion.
Punish Corruption Ruthlessly: There should be zero tolerance for public fund looters, with lifetime bans from public office.
Reward Merit: Promote competence not connections.
FINAL THOUGHT
Until we correct this moral and intellectual misplacement, Nigeria will continue to recycle failure. We must flip the pyramid. Let fools go to the bottom where they belong and raise true activists (men and women of integrity, competence and compassion) to the top. It is not just a moral obligation; it is a matter of national survival.
“ _The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality._” ~ Dante Alighieri
Neutrality is no longer an option. Silence is complicity. The time has come for Nigeria to rise and it must begin with telling the truth, electing the worthy and rejecting the wicked.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Security Expert Backs IGP Disu’s Record, Affirms Legitimacy Of Tenure
Recent operational achievements by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, particularly in Kwara State, have once again drawn attention to his tactical leadership and commitment to confronting criminal elements across the country.
According to a renowned security expert and CEO Of the Western Eagle Security Ltd, Mr Mogaji Busayo, during a recent security engagement in Kwara State, the IGP demonstrated decisive leadership through a series of strategic actions aimed at strengthening security architecture and restoring public confidence. Among the notable steps taken were leading security clearance operations targeting bandit hideouts and criminal enclaves, Conducting operational inspections and strategy reviews at the Kwara State Police Command, declaring a firm commitment to reclaim communities from bandits and kidnappers threatening residents amongst others.
Mogaji described IGP Disu as a tested and trusted tactical officer whose professional record and field experience position him as a capable leader in the ongoing fight against crime and insecurity in Nigeria.
According to him, the impressive operational strides recorded under the current police leadership have further reinforced the need for stability and continuity in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
He therefore addressed the ongoing public discourse regarding the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, explaining that the July 2024 amendment to the Police Act 2020 by the National Assembly clearly provides that an Inspector-General of Police is entitled to serve the full tenure stated in the appointment letter, even if the statutory retirement age of 60 is attained within that period.
Mogaji noted that historically, several past Inspectors-General of Police were unable to complete a full four-year tenure, largely due to retirement age limitations and the absence of clear statutory provisions guaranteeing the term of office. He further noted that the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was also legally appointed to serve a four-year tenure under the same statutory framework but chose to retire earlier than expected due to family reasons, a decision which did not in any way affect the legality of the tenure provision itself.
He further highlighted that the formal swearing-in of the current Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a historic turning point in the administration of policing in Nigeria, noting that no previous Inspector-General of Police had been formally sworn into office prior to assumption of duty.
According to him, the oath of office administered by the President is the first ever and not only symbolises institutional reform but also reinforces the legal and constitutional validity of the four-year tenure now attached to the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
The security expert also referenced past legal controversies surrounding the tenure of former Inspectors-General, including litigation initiated by legal practitioner Maxwell Opara, which challenged the continued stay in office of former IGP Mohammed Adamu after retirement from service.
Similarly, in a judicial pronouncement delivered in Suit No. FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023, filed by Okechukwu Nwafor, the court held that only an officer within the prescribed rank and with not less than four years remaining in service could validly be appointed Inspector-General of Police, a matter that previously generated debate during the tenure of former IGP Usman Alkali Baba.
Mogaji stated that the recent legislative clarification, combined with the formal swearing-in of the present IGP, has effectively resolved those ambiguities, ensuring that the tenure of IGP Tunji Disu is firmly anchored in law and due process.
He urged the public to focus on the ongoing reforms and operational gains within the Nigeria Police Force, emphasizing that sustained leadership stability will further enhance the capacity of the Force to tackle crime and strengthen national security.
Under Siege: Nigeria’s Spiraling Insecurity in the Tinubu Era
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“As Violence and Kidnappings Surge, Nigerians Face a Humanitarian and Security Crisis Amid Perceived Government Inaction”
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, the promise of a “Renewed Hope” has been starkly overshadowed by a relentless wave of violence and insecurity across Nigeria. Despite early pledges to prioritise national safety, the reality for millions has been a harrowing descent into a pervasive climate of fear. From the rugged terrains of the Northwest to the insurgent‑heavy Northeast, criminal cartels, bandits and extremist groups continue to challenge the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
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Independent monitoring groups and international bodies such as Amnesty International estimate that over 10,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in violent attacks since Tinubu took office. Alongside this grim death toll is the dramatic escalation of abductions and the “kidnap‑for‑ransom” economy, which reportedly drained more than $1.4 billion (about ₦2.23 trillion) from families in the administration’s first year alone. This financial drain has compounded psychological trauma and deepened economic hardship.
“Nigeria’s security crisis is not merely a law enforcement problem,” says Prof. Abuja‑based security analyst Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, “it is a symptom of systemic governance failure; where the state cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens.”
In the Northwest and Northcentral regions (including states such as Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau) armed gangs have razed villages and forced farmers to pay “harvest levies” just to access their own lands. This has devastated local food systems and contributed to rising inflation.
Meanwhile, in the Northeast, fractious insurgent groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province and factions of Boko Haram continue to mount attacks against military and civilian targets. While the military claims to have “degraded” these groups, they remain capable of coordinated assaults, keeping large areas of the region under persistent threat.
Adding a new layer of complexity is the emergence of the “Lakurawa” group in the Sokoto‑Kebbi axis, signalling that old threats persist even as new ones take root.
Critics argue that the Tinubu administration’s focus on economic reforms (such as fuel subsidy removal and currency realignment) has come at the expense of human security. Former defence policy adviser Prof. Ayo Ajayi of Ahmadu Bello University notes, “Security is the foundation of economic growth. Without it, reforms risk becoming hollow promises for millions who live daily under threat.”
Late in 2025, President Tinubu declared a national security emergency and authorised the recruitment of additional security personnel. However, many Nigerians perceive these measures as reactive rather than proactive. The government’s increased reliance on non‑kinetic strategies (such as negotiations and amnesties for some criminal elements) has been met with scepticism.
Observers argue this approach has inadvertently emboldened criminal networks, turning kidnapping into a low‑risk, high‑reward enterprise. Although the state has acquired new military hardware and reshuffled service chiefs, these changes have yet to translate into a sense of safety for ordinary citizens.
The situation is not merely a security challenge but a humanitarian crisis. Civilians are being displaced, families are paying enormous ransoms under duress, and school abductions have uprooted thousands of students from classrooms.
Political scientist Dr. Yemi Ogunleye of the University of Lagos warns, “When the monopoly of coercive force shifts from the state to non‑state actors, the very fabric of democracy is threatened. Citizens must feel safe within their borders; otherwise governance itself becomes irrelevant.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists it has the experience and strategy necessary to confront Nigeria’s security challenges, arguing that decisive leadership and strengthened community defence initiatives are critical. Many Nigerians now look back on previous administrations with the hope that a change in leadership might bring a corresponding shift in national safety and stability.
Until the state can effectively reclaim its monopoly on the use of force and protect lives and properties, the “Renewed Hope” agenda will continue to ring hollow for millions living in the shadow of insecurity.
Published on Tuesday, March 17, 2026
society
MAIDUGURI EXPLOSION: SECURITY FORCES WORKING TIRELESSLY TO END INSECURITY – GEN. CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE URGES CALM
*MAIDUGURI EXPLOSION: SECURITY FORCES WORKING TIRELESSLY TO END INSECURITY – GEN. CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE URGES CALM, CONDOLES WITH BORNO OVER BOMB BLAST*
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended its profound condolences to the government and resilient people of Borno State following a tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri town on Monday evening.
The attack, was condemned in the strongest terms in a statement signed by the Initiative’s Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
In the statement, the Initiative conveyed a powerful message of reassurance from its Grand Patron, His Excellency Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It emphatically noted that “both the sponsors and the terrorists’ end will be soon,” asserting that the insecurity plaguing the nation will become “a thing of the past.”
The statement urged citizens nationwide, particularly those in affected areas, to remain calm and steadfast, affirming that the nation’s security architecture is more determined than ever. It highlighted that Gen. Musa, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is working day and night, coordinating all security agencies to restore lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
“This tragic incident only strengthens our resolve,” the statement read. “The Minister of Defence and our gallant troops are engaged in relentless, tireless efforts to dismantle the networks of terror and bring a definitive end to this scourge. The light of peace is breaking through, and the end of this darkness is in sight.”
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative expressed unwavering confidence in the strategic leadership of the Minister of Defence and the overarching vision of the Renewed Hope Project, which prioritizes the safety and security of every Nigerian as its cornerstone.
The public is assured that the Federal Government, under President Tinubu and through the diligent execution of the Minister of Defence, is deploying every necessary resource and strategy to secure the nation. Citizens are encouraged to continue supporting security agencies with vital information and to maintain hope, as a new dawn of sustained peace and stability is being forged.
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