Unity Above Division: A Call to Nigerian Leaders -By Arc. Aliyu Tanimu

Africa is yet to outgrow military coups, unlike its counterparts in other parts of the world. The reason is not far-fetched — bad governance. The continent remains one of the most underdeveloped, as many of its leaders amass stupendous wealth to enrich their families and friends.

Years ago, the continent was shaken by the shocking news of military coups in Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. These events sent shivers down the spines of not only ordinary citizens but also those in power. The coups were followed by attempted and failed ones in other countries. Nigeria has had its fair share of coups and countercoups. The memory of those dark times still lingers in the minds of our parents. We were told stories of how many lives were wasted. The phrase “No victor, no vanquished” echoed from the then military heads.

I have never supported coups, especially considering the tragic outcomes in some countries overtaken by the military — Sudan and Libya are typical examples. Are they better off today? No.

As the years passed, Nigeria — the continent’s behemoth — has remained in recovery mode. Recently, news emerged of some coup plotters being arrested for allegedly planning to strike. Their plan was to assassinate the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. This is a clear signal that even the “giant of Africa” is not immune.

As the Hausa proverb says, “Sai bango ya tsage, kadangare ke samun gurin shiga” — meaning “It’s when the wall cracks that the lizard finds a way in.” The plotters were able to sell their idea because of mismanagement and bad governance. If such a coup were to succeed, foreign powers and elements would likely arm separatist groups.

Nigeria is already deeply divided along ethnic, tribal, and religious lines, making the idea of armed resistance dangerously appealing to some groups. It is the cracks in the wall that allow the lizards to slip through — and those cracks are created by bad governance, weak institutions, and eroding trust in leadership.

Not long ago, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz accused Nigeria of allowing the massacre of Christians. That statement resonated strongly with gullible individuals and netizens. He has probably never set foot on our soil, yet he is making a statement that can stoke ethnic and religious tension and create discord among Nigerians.

In reality, most of the killings are happening in the Muslim-dominated North, and the majority of the victims are Muslims themselves. It is not true that Christians are not affected, but singling out one religion as the sole victims is a strategy to sow division. Just a few days ago, a U.S. ambassador issued a statement contradicting the Senator’s claim, stating that Muslims are, in fact, the major victims.

In a country as divided and vulnerable as ours, selling the idea of rebellion becomes easy. External forces can easily step in, instigate unrest under the guise of “freedom,” and in the process exploit our mineral resources and oil.

Madagascar — an island off the southeastern coast of Africa — recently experienced a military coup. Members of Generation Z took to the streets, bringing the island nation to a standstill. The President was forced to flee before the military seized power.

This happened earlier this month. No nation is completely immune to instability unless it builds strong institutions that can check excesses, hold leaders accountable, and create equal opportunities for all. Investing in uninterrupted power supply, for example, will allow businesses to thrive in every corner, attract investors, and strengthen the nation’s economy.

My humble advice to our leaders — from the President down to the councillors — is to represent us well by doing what is right. We have no other country better than Nigeria. If we destroy this nation, we have nowhere else to call home. Abroad, we will always be treated as second-class citizens. Let us make our country better.

Arc. Aliyu Tanimu: Architect, entrepreneur & writer. I merge creativity, innovation & social impact. Founding startups, designing impactful spaces & storytelling, I drive sustainable solutions.