Playing with Fire: Lessons from Nigeria’s Political Past and Present
Our politicians’ brigandage and impunity didn’t start with modern elections. These patterns date back to the handover of power at independence. In 1959, British interference quietly favoured Ahmadu Bello over Aminu Kano—much like the 2023 IREV portal shutdown. By 1965, the Balewa government was already rigging votes and crushing opposition in Tiv and the Western region. In December 1965, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa flew to London to discuss Rhodesia’s rebellion while Nigeria burned. When pressed by journalists on domestic unrest, he mocked the question—and days later, he was assassinated. I wonder why we struggle to govern ourselves. Today’s leaders ignore rising insecurity and let terrorists carve swaths of terror across our land. Even the US fears an ‘Islamized Nigeria’ threatening global interests. Our politicians must wake up before they truly play with fire.
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