Nigeria: Leaders blamed for using 'only God' to excuse insecurity failures
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
Context piece
- A Nigerian minister's statement that only God can end the country's insecurity has drawn widespread criticism.
- Critics accuse leaders like the minister and former President Muhammadu Buhari of evading responsibility by deferring solutions to divine intervention.
- The article argues that while faith has a role, politicians are using it to excuse administrative failures and avoid accountability.
A recent statement by Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, suggesting that only God can end the nation's pervasive insecurity has ignited public anger. Matawalle reportedly said, "It is only God that can bring an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts." This sentiment has been met with frustration by Nigerians weary of perceived mediocrity and leadership failures.
It is only God that can bring an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts. It should not be used as a tool to condemn others or score political points.
The article criticizes such pronouncements, labeling them as attempts by politicians to evade responsibility by attributing complex problems to divine will. It points to former President Muhammadu Buhari as a prominent example, citing his repeated assertions that "only God" could solve Nigeria's issues, from national unity to border security and economic challenges. Buhari's administration, the piece argues, often seemed to rely on a "Deus ex machina" approach, excusing a lack of administrative action.
Only God can unite Nigeria.
Even after Buhari's death, the article notes, this mindset persists, with Katsina Governor Dikko Radda relaying Buhari's supposed advice not to worry excessively, as "Only God can satisfy Nigerians." The author contends that leaders use this rhetoric to deflect from their own shortcomings and the need for effective governance.
Only God can effectively supervise the Nigerian and Nigerien border.
While acknowledging that faith can play a role in national life, the article distinguishes between genuine spiritual belief and its manipulation by politicians. It suggests that figures like Matawalle, Buhari, and even former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (who reportedly made similar remarks about herdsmen) view God not as a source of higher moral guidance but as a convenient tool to excuse their inability to address problems requiring administrative capacity and political will. The piece implies these leaders fail to grasp that true solutions require human agency and effective governance, not just appeals to the divine.
Only God can fix Nigeria
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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