society

Tribalism: The Oldest Wound We Refuse to Heal

Published

9 months ago

September 12, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Tribalism: The Oldest Wound We Refuse to Heal.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by Saharaweeklyng.com

We speak of unity, yet divide at every election. Until we confront tribalism, Nigeria will never rise.

Nigeria is a country blessed with diversity, yet cursed by it. Over 200 million people, more than 500 ethnic groups, hundreds of languages – a mosaic that could be our greatest strength. Instead, tribalism has become our oldest, deepest and most destructive wound. It is a wound we refuse to heal and as long as it festers, the nation’s potential will remain hostage to fear, suspicion and recurring crises.

Wole Soyinka warned decades ago: “When you start to think in terms of tribe rather than humanity, you have abandoned reason for instinct and instinct is often deadly.” Sadly, Nigeria continues to act on instinct rather than reason.

The Roots of Tribalism.
Tribalism in Nigeria is not a natural phenomenon; it is historically manufactured. British colonial rule entrenched divisions, rewarding loyalty along ethnic lines, importing a zero-sum mindset and leaving behind a federal structure prone to favoritism. The legacy of “divide and rule” became our inheritance.

Northern indirect rule strengthened ethnic hierarchies and traditional emirates, creating power imbalances.

In the South, Christian missionary education created intellectual elites, but also intensified regional inequalities.

Resource allocation policies (from cocoa to oil) fueled perceptions of favoritism, turning economic competition into ethnic grievance.

These historical fractures are not relics; they shape daily politics, electoral choices and the violence that haunts communities today.

Tribalism in Politics: A Toxic Cycle.
Elections in Nigeria are rarely contests of ideas. They are contests of identity. Politicians appeal to tribe over competence, promising advancement for “their people” and ignoring national interest. The result:

Polarized voting: Citizens often vote not for policies but for ethnic solidarity.

Unequal development: Regions receive projects based on who governs rather than need.

Recurring crises: Post-election violence, secessionist agitations and intercommunal clashes follow predictable ethnic fault lines.

In 2015 and 2019, analysts warned that ethno-religious polarization in elections increased tensions in the North, South and Middle Belt. Yet each election cycle, the script repeats. Political elites weaponize identity, citizens oblige and the nation suffers.

The Human Cost.
Tribalism is not abstract. It kills, imprisons potential and sows distrust. Consider the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). While multiple factors led to the war, ethnic suspicion, regional favoritism and failure to recognize shared citizenship made bloodshed inevitable. Over two million lives were lost, millions displaced and entire communities traumatized, all in the name of “protecting our people.”

In recent decades, tribalism has fueled insurgencies, banditry and local conflicts. Youths are recruited to fight not over ideas but over loyalty to ethnic or regional elites. Education and merit are secondary to origin and patronage. Tribalism, in effect, becomes a conveyor belt of inequality, violence and frustration.

Cultural Neglect and Memory Loss.
Much like the forgotten heroes, tribalism thrives in a society that forgets lessons from history. Instead of teaching that ethnic loyalty must be balanced with national unity, our schools and media often reinforce division, subtly or overtly. History textbooks are selective: one group’s narrative is celebrated, another’s minimized. National events like independence, the civil war or regional achievements are taught in isolation, reinforcing “US VERSUS THEM” rather than “WE ARE ONE.”

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Danger of a Single Story” is particularly instructive: when citizens internalize only one narrative about their own people or another, tribalism thrives. Ignorance becomes fertile soil for hate, suspicion and political exploitation.

How Tribalism Blocks Progress.
Nigeria’s development is strangled by this wound:

Economic Inefficiency: Projects are located for ethnic favoritism, not national need. Roads, schools, hospitals follow patronage lines.

Brain Drain: Talented Nigerians flee regions where they feel marginalized or unsafe.

Insecurity: Divisions make coordinated responses to terrorism, banditry and communal violence difficult.

Political Paralysis: Leaders who appeal to tribe over policy fail to build consensus on national priorities, leaving laws unimplemented and reforms stalled.

The result: we are a nation with vast potential but recurring crises, repeating cycles of failure and a public increasingly cynical about the value of citizenship.

Breaking the Cycle: Lessons from History.
Nigeria’s wound is old, but it is not unhealable. The solution requires courage, honesty and long-term commitment:

National Education Reform: Schools must teach national citizenship alongside local history. Children must know that Nigeria is bigger than tribe, that heroes came from every corner and that collective destiny matters.

Media Responsibility: Journalists and content creators must resist tribal framing and amplify stories of cross-cultural cooperation. Nollywood, radio and online platforms can shift public perception.

Political Accountability: Citizens must judge leaders by competence, integrity and national vision not ETHNICITY or RELIGION. Electoral education campaigns can help citizens demand meritocracy over loyalty.

Institutional Balance: Policies on federal allocation, appointments and security must be transparently merit-based, reducing the temptation for leaders to favor “THEIR PEOPLE.”

South Africa’s post-apartheid reconciliation and Rwanda’s post-genocide reforms provide instructive examples: deliberate civic education, memorialization and institutional reform can heal wounds even after centuries of division. Nigeria can learn from these models.

Nationalism, Not Tribalism.
Nationalism does not erase culture; it places shared citizenship above narrow loyalty. Leaders like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti believed in a Nigeria where ethnic identity complemented, rather than compromised, national unity. We honor their vision not by celebrating tribe over nation, but by building institutions, telling balanced histories and demanding competence over favoritism.

Final Verdict: A Call to the Nation.
Tribalism is Nigeria’s oldest wound, but it is also its greatest challenge. We cannot pretend that slogans, social media hashtags, or occasional peace meetings are enough. We need systemic reform, historical literacy and civic courage.

As Wole Soyinka admonished: “Ethnic loyalty should never outweigh loyalty to justice, reason and humanity.” Until we internalize this principle, every election will reopen old wounds, every crisis will echo the past and every generation will inherit a fractured country.

Nigeria can heal, but only if citizens, leaders and institutions collectively decide to remember, respect and rise above tribe. The wound is deep, but with memory, courage and unity, it is not fatal.

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society

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

Published

16 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

society

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

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

society

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

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.