If you’ve been enjoying a peaceful, drama-free life with your family, don’t dare ruin it by accepting a political appointment in Nigeria. The moment you step into public office, prepare to be crucified. People will hate you with passion and despise your entire lineage—for no justifiable reason.
In a country where tribal bigots and jobless elites roam free, assuming office is like stepping onto a battlefield. Suddenly, you become the root of all of Nigeria’s problems. It’s as if the nation was a utopia until the very day you swore the oath of office. Don’t be deceived—it’s all a calculated game. They’re not angry because you’re failing; they’re angry because they want a slice of the national cake, and you’re in their way.
Ironically, many of these so-called critics aren’t any better than the people in office. In fact, most are worse. Some have made a full-time career out of spewing ignorance online. Armed with smartphones and zero insight, these social media terrorists parrot political slogans they don’t understand, praising politicians they’ve never met, and condemning others out of sheer bitterness.
Worse still, they celebrate vandalism and violence as “youth activism,” not realizing they are raising a generation of monsters. Today they break government property; tomorrow, they become full-blown terrorists. It’s a ticking time bomb.
Here’s a chilling example: A bigman who was a popular politician during his lifetime died in Abuja and was buried in his village. By the next morning, his grave had been desecrated. His body was stolen. During investigations, it was discovered that local youths were responsible. They had severed his head, tongue, toes, and private parts—for ritual purposes. If that doesn’t terrify you, what will?
Yet, amid all this chaos, Nigerians keep shouting: “Wike is working but Tinubu is not!”
“Bunmi Ojo is trying but Tinubu is not!”
“You can see Umahi’s projects, but Tinubu has done nothing!”
“Festus Keyamo is transforming the airports, but Tinubu is sleeping!”
“Yemi Cardoso is stabilizing the naira and clearing debt, but Tinubu is clueless!”
“Dr. Pat is giving free C-sections to Nigerian women in federal hospitals, but Tinubu hasn’t lifted a finger in two years!”
The hypocrisy is maddening. If you’re a graduate and you’re echoing such intellectually lazy takes, maybe it’s time someone collects that certificate you hold so dear—because clearly, you’re not using it.
Nigeria’s problem isn’t just bad leadership; it’s also the tragic ignorance of a loud, misinformed populace. Until we fix that, even an angel in Aso Rock won’t save this country.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
