Nigeria is a disgraced nation – Donald Trump
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, once called Nigeria a “disgraced nation.” I don’t believe he was insulting Nigeria; he was stating what many see as obvious. His words were: “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country ‘guns-a-blazing’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
It’s important to note that he didn’t say he wanted to fight the Nigerian army or government; he referred specifically to terrorists. Destroying those terrorists is something that most Nigerians want, except for those who benefit from the chaos and are now trying to twist his words. Everything Trump said reflects a painful truth that many of us in Nigeria know to be accurate. The government and the military in Nigeria seem to be complicit, aiding and supporting these terrorists, particularly against the Christian community and those they regard as “fake” Muslims. The nation is suffering, and it seems no one cares. Given the current state of affairs, people are beginning to ask if there is any real government in Aso Rock. From Buhari to Tinubu, Nigeria mourns as this APC-led government appears to take the Nation backward, ignoring valuable lessons while focusing on plundering the nation’s wealth. Tinubu seems to be even worse than Buhari.
Is There Religious Genocide in Nigeria?
There is persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The fact that Islamic extremists also target individuals of other faiths does not change the reality that Christians are primarily targeted and killed without action from the government. Numerous reports in national newspapers highlight instances where Christians or individuals were killed for their faith, yet the killers face no punishment. Instead, the government, which should be holding these individuals accountable, often makes excuses for them and sometimes even rewards them.
The government’s response gives the impression of complicity, almost as if it is endorsing terrorism. Those who condemn terrorist actions against citizens are sometimes arrested and questioned, while individuals like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who praise or support terrorism, seem to be protected by the state. If there is no religious genocide occurring in Nigeria and if the government is not complicit, how do we explain the beheading of Christians in Kano, which happened because Reinhard Bonnke held a crusade there, and locals claimed that Christian crusades are not allowed?
Consider the case of Deborah Samuel, a student in northern Nigeria. She noticed that her classmates were posting religious content on a study platform and remarked that it should be used for academic purposes only. Tragically, she was killed for this. When the case went to court, 52 lawyers appeared to defend the Muslims who committed this crime. Despite Nigeria being considered a secular state, when Christians are killed, the perpetrators often go unpunished.
Another example is Evangelist Eunice in Abuja, who was brutally murdered while preaching and praying early in the morning.
Hussaini Ismaila, a leader of terrorists who has killed thousands of innocent people, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Sunday Jackson got a death sentence for defending himself against a terrorist who wanted to unalive him?
The list of such atrocities is extensive and well-documented in the media, with countless other cases not reported at all. It is impossible to deny the presence of religious intolerance in Nigeria. If one claims that there is no religious intolerance, I ask, why do some individuals advocate for a form of Islamic cleansing that declares that anyone who does not share their belief must die? For instance, an Islamic preacher in Bauchi even claimed that the First Lady should be killed because she is a Christian. Is that not a form of genocide? And is that justified in a secular Nation?
government rewarding crime
Furthermore, consider the kidnapping of 270 schoolgirls, all of whom were Christians. The perpetrators committed several crimes, including child molestation, trafficking, forced conversion, forced marriage, and, in some cases, murder. The same individuals who committed these heinous acts have received forgiveness, even though there are laws against such crimes. How can a responsible government allow those who have committed such atrocities to become defenders of the state?
Historically, the region known as Kaduna was once part of Katsina, but administrative boundaries were drawn based on religious demographics. The remaining Kaduna state has a predominantly Christian population, particularly in Southern Kaduna, which is about 99% Christian. Despite this, under the watch of a certain governor, approximately 23,000 people were reported killed in Southern Kaduna. It is estimated that people were killed in brutal ways, simply because they refused to conform to a particular religion, or for land grabs. Is this not genocide? Wikipedia even refers to the situation in Kaduna as the Southern Kaduna genocide.
If the government is not biased, why have the killings not stopped? Why are the sponsors and sympathizers of terrorism not being arrested?
For over a decade, Nigerians have been told that their government is fighting terrorism, with billions of dollars spent and thousands of soldiers sacrificed. Millions have been displaced, yet the killings continue unabated. Perhaps the real reason behind this ongoing violence is something we need to address seriously.
APC Government is a Problem
The frequency of bad governance in Nigeria is alarming, and everything seems to be going wrong. But who can we turn to for help? Who truly cares about the problems in this country? While some world leaders express concern, Nigerian criminals twist this concern into resource control agendas. They prefer the killing of innocent people so they can continue to steal our resources for themselves and sell them off to foreign countries. When will ordinary Nigerians truly benefit from the so-called resources of our nation?
The APC has formed and sponsored many of these issues. Boko Haram began to rampage under Jonathan, who was perceived as a weak leader. Some unscrupulous northern leaders formed and sponsored them to attack innocent Nigerians, particularly Christians, in an attempt to topple Jonathan’s government. Jonathan was aware of this but did nothing as they exploited his frailty to spread evil.
The individuals who founded Boko Haram are currently within the APC government, and they can no longer control the organization. They rushed to America in 2014, seeking help to stop the “slaughtering of Christians.” The military was complicit during Jonathan’s time, making substantial profits through the defense budget and sponsors. Now, under Buhari and Tinubu, the government has turned a blind eye to the destruction; they were the ones who went to America to complain about the terrorists, and yet, when they came to power, instead of battling these terrorists, they encouraged them. They incorporated the very terrorists they should have eliminated into the military as “repented” members and sought peace agreements with them. How often have you heard of a government enlisting terrorists into its army or offering them peaceful resolutions? Only in a sick nation like Nigeria, led by the APC government, could this happen.
To confuse people further, the terrorist split Boko Haram into different armed groups, each using different tactics. Whether you refer to some as Fulani herdsmen, bandits, or by any other name, they are all part of the same northern terrorist network, slaughtering and destroying defenseless civilians without challenge from the Nigerian army, which is encouraged by the APC-led government. All indications suggest that the APC government is involved in this mess, either directly or indirectly. When a government is aware of a terrorist organization, knows its base of operations, and understands its financial backers, yet does nothing, it becomes complicit in the killings and destruction. What does that imply about the governance we have?
Religion and tribal differences are not our problems.
I’m sorry to say that anyone who supports the APC government without feeling guilty is morally and spiritually bankrupt. Take a moment to reflect on your life, your family, your current economic situation, your neighborhood, and the country as a whole. Ask yourself if you like what you see and whether you want to see more of it. If not, it’s time to stand up against the APC and distance yourself from the PDP; both are the same.
Religion and tribal differences are not our problems. A multi-religious and multi-tribal society can thrive under a good system and a sensible leader. Diversity is what makes societies vibrant and successful. Many tribes exist in America and other countries, and all have contributed to the country’s greatness. However, in Nigeria, our leaders create laws solely to protect themselves and then assist or encourage their citizens to break those laws for their own benefit. Christians and Muslims alike deserve better.
Nigeria has been sick and dying.
The nation’s condition has been critically damaged by both the PDP and APC political parties, as well as by over 90% of religious leaders, including pastors and imams. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that engaging in wrongdoing has become seemingly acceptable. Both political and religious leaders penalize individuals for their misdeeds, as long as those transgressions differ from their own.
Signs of a Disgraced Nation
. A sick nation is where the government may claim to be fighting insecurity while simultaneously awarding a chieftaincy title to the most wanted terrorist, who is further protected by the very police officers who declared him a fugitive.. https://dailypost.ng/2022/07/22/turbaning-of-bandit-zamfara-government-insincere-residents/
. A sick nation is one where the government makes a peace deal with a notorious terrorist, the same terrorist the government claimed to have decisively dealt with military action a few months ago. https://atlanticpostng.com/tinubus-clandestine-truce-secret-peace- deal-with-bello-turji-unveiled/ , https://punchng.com/apc-chieftain-lauds-tinubu-militarys-action-against-terror-kingpin-turji
. A disgraceful nation is one where security forces lack the firearms and equipment necessary to combat criminals. At checkpoints, it is common to see several fully armed security personnel every kilometer inspecting vehicle documentation, civilians’ cell phones, and other belongings. However, these forces do not have sufficient resources or manpower to pursue and apprehend criminals effectively.
. A sick nation is one where the government cannot afford to pay civil workers a minimum wage, yet it can allocate over 21 million naira to senators monthly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZBZnVhjvM, allocate N393 billion for only 1477 streetlights at N266M per one and 538 boreholes at N114.53 billion, that is a single borehole at N212.88 million. https://guardian.ng/news/n390b-for-1477-streetlights-n114m-for-538-boreholes-other-insertions-in-fg-budget/
. A country where you can steal billions of naira, and the judge will only ask you to return a tiny percentage and provide sureties, and get bail as if it is legal to steal, is a sick nation
. A disgraced nation is one where the government spends billions of naira to maintain healthcare facilities in the presidential villa, yet the president travels abroad for medical treatment every time.
. A country where you have an emergency and no one to call is a sick nation.
The PDP, led by Jonathan, made Nigeria sick.
Despite the suffering caused during his tenure, former President Goodluck Jonathan was awarded a medal of honor by the international community. This highlights a troubling trend in Nigeria where individuals who have inflicted harm are often rewarded and recognized.
If former President Jonathan had effectively addressed the earlier security threats, the country might be safer today. It is well known that President Buhari made a disturbing statement, warning that the nation would be “covered in blood like a dog and a baboon,” as reported by Vanguard on May 15, 2013. However, due to the intimidation from northern interests, the then-incumbent president took no significant action to investigate or mitigate this threat.
Although Jonathan claimed he did not want any Nigerian lives to be lost, the insecurity that he failed to address has resulted in the deaths of thousands of citizens. During his administration, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen were killing innocent Nigerians, yet he did little in response, despite his assertions that these groups had infiltrated his government (as reported by Premium Times on January 8, 2012). Perhaps in an attempt to appease northern factions, he allowed many innocent Nigerians to suffer.
If Jonathan had decisively confronted these threats earlier, Nigeria might not have fallen so deeply into insecurity. Ironically, he did take action to suppress these terrorists just weeks before leaving office.
The PDP (People’s Democratic Party) brought in a weak leader, and the APC (All People’s Congress) brought in an evil, corrupt, and illiterate leaders. Both parties made Nigeria a sick and disgraced nation.
With the current destruction of security, the economy, and education, as well as the rise in poverty and unemployment, living conditions are getting worse. Even so, you may still hear some Nigerians, particularly the younger generation, advocating for the APC or PDP. My God, there are times when I genuinely wonder if these people are for real; in other countries, the youth would have demanded the leaders’ resignations, but not in Africa, and certainly not in Nigeria.
Nigeria is sick, who cares?
You don’t need to be highly educated to see that Nigeria is struggling and ineffective. It’s evident to anyone that the country is facing serious hardships, which are worsening daily due to the current administration’s cluelessness about its failures.
Barrister Dele Farotimi and Omoyele Sowore genuinely care about Nigeria. If more men and youths in the country shared their concerns, we could achieve remarkable success. If even a quarter of our population adopted their mindset and said, “Enough is enough,” and “We can’t take this any longer,” a new Nigeria would be within our reach.
Our leaders are corrupt and behave irresponsibly because they know that few people in Nigeria actually care. In Nigeria, a politician can steal money, go on national television, and boldly claim that a snake or monkey has swallowed it. People laugh it off as a joke, but the reality is that everyone continues to suffer the consequences. As the late Fela Anikulapo described it, we are a “suffering and smiling nation.”
Even an unqualified individual will have the audacity to run for president because they realize that no one cares. Many Nigerians have allowed tribal and religious affiliations to overshadow their concern for the nation as a whole. This focus on division is a vulnerability that politicians exploit to manipulate the public, steal from them, and create confusion.
Nigeria will only become a great nation when its citizens begin to care about their country and recognize each other as fellow Nigerians, setting aside religion and tribalism. This shift in mindset is crucial for moving Nigeria forward. #ANewNigeriaIsPossible
Let’s envision a Nigeria that belongs to everyone—regardless of origin, whether from the North or South, or whether they are Christians or Muslims. A truly united Nigeria is achievable.
It is critical to recognize that the fact that a country is not at war while still losing thousands of its citizens daily to gunfire and explosions is a clear indication of significant suffering. Although thousands of security personnel are stationed at roadblocks, collecting money from motorists, they are mostly absent in communities facing violent attacks from terrorists, bandits, or other criminals.
Security forces are deployed when citizens protest, but not when communities are under siege. May the souls lost during the #Endsars protests rest in peace.
Every well-intentioned Nigerian would agree that both the PDP and the APC have used, or allowed religion to be used, to divide and undermine the country for reasons known only to them. The leaders of both parties, along with their associates, prioritize robbing us of our resources while distracting us with religious conflicts. They exploit these divisions to create confusion and disunity among Nigerians.
Leaders without plans
The country is in turmoil because most politicians lack a clear understanding of why they seek leadership roles. This is especially evident in Nigeria, where individuals pursue power without a plan for how to use it effectively. They tend to view power mainly as a means for personal enrichment, showing little regard for the nation’s well-being. When asked about their motivations for wanting power, they often respond with, “It’s my turn.” Within political parties, discussions typically focus on “zoning” rather than qualifications.
President Buhari struggled to decide what to do with power until he left office, and President Tinubu, over two years later, still seems uncertain about how to use his power—other than seeking re-election and increasing the legislative budget to continue enabling reckless borrowing and spending. His administration lacks a clear plan, goal, or vision for what it wants to accomplish.
Poverty, hardship, collapsed infrastructure, and a broken political system are everywhere. Insecurity is at an all-time high, the economy has collapsed, and confusion reigns. Ironically, the youth in government may be the most ineffective, as seen with the governors of Edo and Kogi States, who have no plans or focus, merely aiming to please Tinubu and the APC.
Nigerians consistently vote along religious lines and elect ineffective leaders, which is why our country has failed so miserably. It’s absurd that a minister can stand before the public and claim that their ministry spent billions on insignificant projects.
The tragedy with Africa is that those
with ideals are not in power,
while those in power have no ideals.
When the people have a chance,
they still vote for those with no ideals
– Patrice Emery Lumumba
