By Bukar Mohammed
The term “banana republic” originally described politically unstable countries with weak institutions, dominated by kleptocratic elites and plagued by systemic corruption. Once a pejorative used to describe fragile Central American nations, it now finds unsettling relevance in discussions about modern-day Nigeria. While we pride ourselves on being the “Giant of Africa,” the rot in our governance, judiciary, legislature, and rule of law tells a different story—one that mirrors a classic banana republic narrative.
Governance in Disarray
Governance in Nigeria has deteriorated into a grotesque spectacle of inefficiency and impunity. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) operate more like fiefdoms than public service institutions. Budget padding, contract racketeering, project duplication, and lack of transparency have become standard practice. Agencies meant to serve the people are weaponized against dissenters, and public service has lost its soul to political patronage and rent-seeking behavior. There’s no sense of urgency in delivering services or improving the lives of citizens.
The civil service—once the backbone of nation-building—has been eroded by nepotism and political interference. Decision-making is not driven by data or merit, but by narrow interests and prebendal politics. Meanwhile, insecurity festers, inflation soars, and poverty deepens—all while the elite circle the wagons and protect their loot.
Humongous Corruption and Brazen State Capture
Nigeria bleeds daily from the arteries of corruption. It is no longer hidden in brown envelopes or offshore accounts; it is now celebrated with ostentation and political immunity. The capture of the state by a criminal elite is no longer a conspiracy theory—it is a living, breathing reality. The resources of the state are looted in plain sight, and the very institutions meant to check abuse have become complicit.
Petroleum subsidies vanish into private pockets without explanation. Billion-dollar contracts are awarded with zero accountability. Procurement fraud is rampant. Regulatory agencies turn a blind eye to tax evasion and illicit financial flows while punishing small businesses for trivial infractions. This is not just corruption—it is institutionalized plunder.
Judiciary: Bastion of Justice or Auction House?
The judiciary, meant to be the last hope of the common man, now often operates like an auction house. Judgments are sometimes for sale to the highest bidder, and court orders are flouted by powerful individuals with impunity. Judges, particularly in politically sensitive cases, have been accused of abusing legal processes—issuing ex-parte orders to protect political interests or delay justice.
The Constitution is repeatedly violated with little or no consequence. From contradictory rulings on the same issues to curious injunctions preventing law enforcement from investigating powerful suspects, the judiciary appears increasingly captured. Some judges are complicit in obstructing justice and enabling the very corruption they are supposed to combat.
The Legislature: An Appendage of the Executive
Nigeria’s National Assembly was designed to be a check on executive excesses. Today, it acts more like an obedient rubber stamp. Legislators are more concerned with securing their “constituency projects,” political appointments, and kickbacks than performing oversight or enacting people-centered laws.
Important bills are delayed or passed without debate. Investigative hearings often lead nowhere. Budgetary approval is a bargaining chip, and lawmakers are seen aligning with the executive—not as partners in progress but as collaborators in the looting of the treasury. Worse still, some legislators actively break the law—misappropriating funds, interfering in contract awards, and manipulating committee reports for personal gain.
Rule of Law in Tatters
When law becomes a tool of oppression instead of justice, a nation loses its soul. Citizens are arrested without warrants. Protesters are brutalized. Journalists are harassed. The powerful walk free, while the poor are jailed for petty crimes. Law enforcement agencies are politicized and often used to settle personal or political scores.
The rule of law in Nigeria has been replaced with the rule of men. Court orders are ignored by the executive; anti-graft agencies are weakened by selective enforcement and political interference. The entire legal framework has been bent to serve a few—not all.
What Must the Citizens Do?
Reclaim Democratic Space:
Citizens must stop waiting for messiahs and start holding leaders accountable at the local, state, and federal levels. Demand transparency. Demand performance. Demand justice.
Strengthen Civil Society:
Activists, NGOs, and community-based groups must organize, mobilize, and protect civic space. Whistleblowers must be protected, and those exposing corruption should be celebrated—not persecuted.
Use the Power of the Vote:
Stop selling votes. Refuse inducements. Demand candidate debates. Elect leaders based on competence and integrity—not tribe, religion, or party affiliation.
Demand Judicial Reform:
The Nigerian Bar Association and judicial oversight bodies must cleanse the bench. Lawyers must shun complicity and embrace integrity. Judges must be held accountable for misconduct.
Push for Institutional Reforms:
Anti-corruption agencies must be independent and well-resourced. Legislative reforms must include recall mechanisms for non-performing lawmakers. Procurement and public finance processes must be digitized and made transparent.
Protect Whistleblowers:
The citizenry must unite behind those brave enough to speak out. A nation that abandons its truth-tellers is doomed to repeat its failures.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria teeters on the edge of a precipice. If we must avoid full descent into a banana republic, we need more than rhetoric—we need radical reform and civic awakening. The time for lamentation has passed. The time for action is now. The future of this nation lies not in the hands of the powerful but in the resolve of its people.
The question is no longer whether Nigeria is a banana republic—the question is whether we will rise to stop it from remaining one.
Bukar Mohammed is a public analyst from Kano.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
