By Tony Edemenaha
In a world where facts are stranger than fiction, Nigeria stands out as a nation that has mastered the art of denial.
We are a people who prefer the comfort of delusion to the harsh realities of our existence. We revel in the fantasy that our problems can be solved with rhetoric, that the right speech, the perfect sound bite, can magically erase the rot that pervades our society.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s words, “TRUMP DIDN’T ‘HIT’ US — OUR LEADERS DID,” cut through the noise, exposing the inconvenient truth that we have become adept at avoiding.
Our leaders, it seems, are more interested in negotiating with bandits, turning killers into celebrities, and issuing empty threats to foreigners than in addressing the systemic issues that plague our nation.
The statistics are staggering. The economy is in shambles, insecurity is at an all-time high, and corruption remains endemic.
Yet, we continue to pretend that everything is fine, that the problem lies elsewhere, that someone else is to blame. We point fingers at external forces, at colonialism, at imperialism, at anyone and anything but ourselves.
But the truth is, our leaders have failed us. They have failed to provide basic amenities, protect us, and govern. And we, as a people, have failed ourselves. We have been unable to hold our leaders accountable, failed to demand better, and failed to take responsibility for our own lives.
We’re hooked on words, intoxicated by the sound of promises, and numbed by the silence of inaction. Our politicians are virtuosos of vacuity, crafting speeches that are equal parts eloquence and evasion. We mistake loquacity for leadership, and tweets for policy.
The consequences of our denial are dire. Our children are kidnapped, our women are raped, our communities are attacked, and our future is stolen. And still, we pretend that everything is okay, that our leaders are doing their best that we are just going through a rough patch.
But the truth is, we are not just going through a rough patch. We are in a crisis, a crisis of leadership, a crisis of values, a crisis of identity. We are a nation that has lost its way that has forgotten what it means to be Nigerian.
So, to our leaders, we say: it’s time to shift focus. Ditch the PR spins and defensiveness, especially when it comes to foreign criticism. Instead, prioritise the safety and security of citizens. Disarm and dismantle militant groups, and bring perpetrators to justice.
If current forces are inadequate, seek external expertise with robust oversight and accountability. The people demand action, not just words.
And to ourselves, we say: wake up, Nigeria. Wake up to the reality of our situation. Wake up to the fact that we are better than this. Wake up to the fact that we deserve better.
Let us stop living in denial. Let us stop pretending that everything is fine. Let us face the truth, no matter how bitter it may be. Let us take responsibility for our own lives, for our own future.
We are a great nation, a nation of talented, resilient, and resourceful people. But we will only realise our greatness when we stop living in denial and start facing the truth. The time for denial is over. The time for action is now.
This piece is a call to action, a wake-up call to a nation that has been asleep for too long. It is a reminder that our problems are internal, not external. It is a reminder that we have the power to change our situation, to demand better from our leaders, to build a better future for ourselves and our children.
The choice is ours. Let us choose reality. Let us choose greatness.
*Tony Edemenaha, poet and social commentator, writes from Asaba
