In Nigeria’s political theatre, the spotlight has long shifted from genuine governance to a series of power plays that betray the public trust. What presents itself as democracy has morphed into a spectacle where the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ is nothing but an extended illusion. The ‘doctrine of necessity’, initially a tool to navigate constitutional crises, has become a convenient instrument for the ruling class. What began as a legitimate means to stabilise leadership during the transition from Umaru Yar’Adua to Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 has devolved into a justification for dissolving state governments and undermining democratic principles. For Nigeria’s leaders, the constitution is a buffet: select what benefits you and discard the rest.
“Yet, as the elite solidify their power, the masses endure an unrelenting economic hardship.”
A political office in Nigeria is not merely a position of power; it is a sanctuary of impunity. The recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for confronting sexual harassment allegations against the Senate president underscores the entrenched culture of silencing dissent. These are not public servants committed to the common good; they are rulers in a self-fashioned monarchy. The irony is evident: the same lawmakers tasked with upholding justice are often the architects of injustice. Reports from Transparency International place Nigeria among the most corrupt nations globally, ranking 150 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. Such a reputation is not coincidental but a symptom of a governance structure that rewards allegiance over accountability.
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Yet, as the elite solidify their power, the masses endure an unrelenting economic hardship. With inflation surpassing 34 percent and food prices escalating by over 40 per cent, survival trumps civic engagement. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that over 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, unable to afford basic healthcare, education, and shelter. How does one mobilise for change when the daily quest for sustenance is overwhelming? The government’s unspoken strategy is clear: keep the people hungry, keep them subdued. A disempowered populace, burdened by poverty, is less likely to challenge the state or demand accountability.
To interpret this dysfunction as mere incompetence is naive. It is a calculated strategy of disenfranchisement, a system crafted to benefit the few while impoverishing the many. Reform cannot be cosmetic — it requires a fundamental realignment of power dynamics. Nigeria’s political class must be stripped of excessive allowances and privileges. Leadership should be a commitment to service, not a pathway to opulence. Economic disobedience, manifested through collective resistance to extortion and systemic corruption, can disrupt the status quo. A 2022 report from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) estimated that Nigeria loses over $18 billion annually to corruption, funds that could uplift the nation from its deepening crisis.
Transparency is the antidote to impunity. Without a judiciary and anti-corruption agencies that operate free from political influence, reforms will remain surface-level and ineffective. The EFCC, once a potent force against graft, has become increasingly entangled in political manipulations, eroding public trust in its capacity to hold the powerful accountable.
Genuine change will not originate from Abuja. It must emerge from community-driven governance that values transparency and effectiveness. The success of leadership must transcend infrastructure projects and address systemic dysfunction. Celebrating wealth without accountability is a disservice to a nation in crisis. Nigeria remains trapped in an endless tunnel, not because of a lack of solutions, but because the will to implement them is absent. The question is, when this darkness finally breaks, will the people reclaim their agency, or will they remain immobilised by years of unrelenting hardship?
A reset is not merely desirable; it is imperative. The light at the end of this tunnel must symbolise genuine change, ignited by a citizenry that refuses to be relegated to spectators in their own country. There is a need for a critical reawakening: a collective decision to reject complacency and demand accountable leadership. This reawakening should manifest in active participation in local governance, vigilant oversight of public funds, and unwavering support for independent institutions. Citizens must leverage their collective voice to champion electoral reforms that ensure free and fair elections and hold elected officials accountable for their promises.
Furthermore, a commitment to civic education and the cultivation of informed, critical thinking will empower individuals to discern truth from propaganda and demand transparency at all levels. We must foster a culture of ethical leadership, where public service is synonymous with integrity and where the pursuit of personal enrichment at the expense of the nation is utterly unacceptable.
Until these meaningful steps are taken, the tunnel remains a long, dark path clouded by disappointment, where hope fades, and the promised light feels out of reach. Yet, let us commit to lighting up that tunnel with the steady flame of civic engagement, turning it into a road toward a fairer and brighter future for all Nigerians.
