On 13 April 1997, while living in exile, a prominent Nigerian political figure boldly declared in an interview that he did not believe in One Nigeria. At that time, he was facing two treason charges, accused of undermining the unity of the country and working with pro democracy groups against a military regime. He fled Nigeria, received sympathy from the public, and was celebrated as a hero of resistance.
Today, that same man sits in power.
And under his watch, another Nigerian has now been sentenced to life imprisonment for almost the exact same stance he once publicly defended when he was oppressed, which is expressing disbelief in the idea of One Nigeria.
This is not about supporting or opposing any individual. It is about exposing the glaring double standard that continues to damage Nigeria’s political system and judiciary.
When Power Changes Hands, Principles Disappear
Nigeria has a long history of rulers who, when out of power, speak the loudest about injustice, oppression, restructuring and self determination. They defend free speech when they are victims. They call for revolution when they are hunted. They question the unity of Nigeria when the system turns against them.
But the moment they assume power, everything changes.
Suddenly,
The same statements they once made become labelled as treason.
The same type of activism they once praised becomes terrorism.
The same struggle they once represented becomes a crime.
This hypocrisy is not accidental. It is the behaviour of men who see democracy not as a system of justice, but as a ladder which they quickly kick away after climbing to the top.
A Judiciary That Bends to Power
Nigeria’s judiciary is expected to serve as the last defence of fairness. Instead, it has become a tool in the hands of the powerful. The judgement that sent a man to life imprisonment for expressing disbelief in One Nigeria stands in sharp contrast to the historical reality that many of today’s leaders once said the same or even worse.
The question is simple.
If expressing doubt in the unity of Nigeria was not a crime in 1997, why is it a crime now.
Or is it only a crime when the speaker is powerless.
A judiciary that cannot remember history becomes a weapon against the innocent. And a country where justice is selective cannot build unity, peace or legitimacy.
The Same People Who Once Fled Are Now Punishing Others
The irony is painful.
Those who once ran from the same accusations now use state institutions to crush others. Those who once complained of persecution now persecute. Those who once insisted on their right to speak now jail others for speaking.
In both perspectives, many people ended up in early graves. The pro democracy movements of those years came with their own thugs, mobs and violent enforcers. Many of the people celebrating those struggles today were not even aware of what was done in their name.
From Free Speech Warriors To Enemies Of Free Speech
Before they came into power, these same politicians used social media and television almost every day to attack the former president. They called him a drunkard. They mocked him. They questioned his competence. They demanded his resignation repeatedly.
They did all this under the protection of free speech.
They told Nigerians that criticism of a president is a democratic right. They encouraged online campaigns, street protests and public outcry that weakened the former administration.
During that same period, insecurity was indirectly fuelled by some political actors who wanted to destabilise the country so that power would be forced to shift to them. The people used as machinery to create insecurity were empowered and emboldened for political advantage.
Today, more than ten years after their political party took power, the insecurity they helped to create has evolved into a monster that is now terrorising the entire nation.
Within just one week, there have been more than nine attacks in different states. Some of these attacks were streamed live online and watched globally, yet the government could not stop them.
The same people who shouted every day that the former president must resign because of insecurity are now silent while worse violence spreads under their own leadership.
Nigeria’s Leaders Were Not Elected, They Were Selected
Another truth cannot be ignored. Many of today’s so called leaders were not produced through free and fair elections. They were installed through
rigging
intimidation
violence
judicial manipulation
institutional capture
Those who were children during the pro democracy years can now see clearly what happened in the last three election cycles. Intimidation. Suppression of voters. Violence at polling units. Forced results.
People who once shouted for freedom became the same people who blocked others from voting.
A Warning For Those Supporting Decay
There is one thing the world must always remember. The internet never forgets.
In all we are doing, humanity should come first. Nigerians deserve to enjoy the dividend of democracy at least once in their lifetime.
Those who support the decay in the system should think twice. The insecurity consuming others today may extend to them tomorrow if the nation does not speak with one voice to stop it.
Let the love of the country be stronger than the love for any politician. Let this generation correct the mistakes of their great grandparents and parents who allowed bad leadership to destroy the nation.
If you are among those supporting rogue leaders, you are laying a foundation of suffering for your children and great grandchildren.
While you defend those looting the treasury, they are building financial empires for their own children and great grandchildren. They are preparing them to rule over your descendants in the future.
A nation cannot grow on hypocrisy, silence and blind loyalty. Only truth and courage can save the future.
History Is Watching
This is not about defending anyone. It is about demanding consistency, justice and honesty from those who claim to lead. A nation cannot progress when truth is criminalised, when dissent is punished and when leaders pretend to forget their own past.
Those in power today should remember this.
The statements they now use to jail others are the same statements they once used to survive.
History has a long memory. And someday, the same standards they apply today may be applied to them.
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