By Amb ALIYU BIN ABBAS
In the annals of African history, Nigeria was once held up as a beacon of hope, a land of promise, and a testament to the possibility of unity in diversity. It was an ideology that fueled the dreams of many, both within and beyond its borders. But today, as we stand on the precipice of a shattered dream, it’s become painfully clear that Nigeria, as an ideology, has crumbled.
For years, the Nigerian state has proven itself to be little more than a fiction—a grand illusion that promises prosperity but delivers despair. It’s a nation that works remarkably well for the elites and members of the establishment, who continue to thrive amid the chaos. But for the masses, Nigeria is a dystopian nightmare, a never-ending story of unfulfilled promises, and a cruel hoax.
The truth is, the Nigerian dream has devolved into a tragic comedy. With each passing cycle of governance failure, the nation’s diaspora community swells as disillusioned citizens seek refuge in foreign lands. They flee the very homeland that should be their sanctuary, driven away by a nightmarish reality where basic services are a luxury, corruption is rampant, and insecurity is the order of the day.
The institutions that should serve as the pillars of a functioning democracy have crumbled under the weight of corruption and incompetence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Electoral Tribunal, once symbols of hope, have revealed their absolute partiality to the status quo. The facade of free and fair elections has been torn asunder, exposing the deep rot within the Nigerian political system.
The consequences of this institutional decay are far-reaching. The people have lost faith in the electoral process, viewing it as a charade designed to perpetuate the rule of the few at the expense of the many. This disillusionment is not isolated; it’s a ticking time bomb that threatens to explode into political upheaval.
The recent years have witnessed movements and protests across Nigeria, driven by a collective frustration with the prevailing order. From the #EndSARS protests to calls for secession, the voices of dissent are growing louder, and they will not be silenced. The people are no longer willing to accept the status quo, and they are demanding a fundamental restructuring of the Nigerian state.
The end of Nigeria as an ideology is not a doomsday prophecy; it’s a stark reality that we can no longer ignore. The farce we call Nigeria, with its broken institutions and shattered dreams, cannot endure in its current form. It’s time to acknowledge that the old order is crumbling, and it’s up to the people to shape a new future.
The way forward is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Nigerian people have the resilience and determination to chart a different course. It’s time to dismantle the broken system and rebuild a Nigeria that works for all its citizens, not just the privileged few. The end of Nigeria as we know it is the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter where the people reclaim their power and rewrite the story of their nation.
Amb Aliyu Bin Abbas is the President National Youth Alliance
