There’s no greater tragedy for a country than when its government falls silent in the face of the suffering of its people.
Across Nigeria, families are being forced from their homes, their farmlands destroyed, their children orphaned — all at the hands of ruthless groups of armed Fulani terrorists. And yet, the President and the National Assembly remain alarmingly indifferent. They do not speak up, much less take decisive action to protect their own people.
But when political control is at risk, the federal government moves without delay. We saw this when the President suspended a democratically elected governor in Rivers State over pipeline issues — and the National Assembly rushed to back him. So, evidently, oil and power are worth more to our leaders than the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
This is a painful reflection of their priorities: control, profits, and political domination — not peace, justice, or the well-being of the people. Meanwhile, many abandoned projects slowly deteriorate across the country — a silent testimony to promises made but not kept — while oversight officials collect generous allowances for failing to do their jobs.
Some state governors are just as disappointing. Instead of putting their people first or putting pressure on the federal government to do something, they become sycophants — competing for accolades, loyalty, and the President’s favor — even as their own people suffer. All in a desperate bid to stay close to power.
This is the reality in today’s Nigeria. Where silence is rewarded, human life is disregarded, and suffering is normalized — while the political class prepares for 2027, securing their own futures instead of delivering for the people.
In a healthy democracy, the President and his team would account for their failures and step aside in disgrace. But in our country, political office is a refuge for impunity — a place where justice and fairness take a back seat.
It’s high time we stopped tolerating this failure. Our lives matter — not just to ourselves, but to those we elect to lead us. The time for silence is over. The time for accountability is now.
— Comrade Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo (aka Mr Figo)
A Heartbroken Citizen of Nigeria
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