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Breaking the Cycle of Corruption: Nigeria’s Leadership Crisis and the Call for Youth Action

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As a history student observing leadership and governance dynamics, the situation in Nigeria reveals a troubling reality: corrupt politicians cannot bring about meaningful change, and their leadership only exacerbates existing problems. This is particularly true when considering the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During the last election, allegations resurfaced regarding a 53-page certified document released by a U.S. court, detailing the forfeiture of $460,000 by Tinubu due to connections with narcotics trafficking and money laundering. Despite these serious accusations, he ascended to the presidency, which raises critical questions about Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
We sounded the alarm prior to the election, urging Nigerians to vote based on competence and integrity rather than falling into the familiar trap of tribalism and religious biases. It was encouraging to see that many of the country’s youth heeded this call and voted for credible candidates. However, despite this, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) produced results that placed Bola Ahmed Tinubu in power, leaving many disillusioned.
 
The consequences of this election outcome are glaring. The state of Nigeria’s governance continues to deteriorate, with key institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), INEC, and the prison system becoming more emboldened in their corruption and impunity. Every day, we hear more astonishing stories of misconduct, and it is clear that a president implicated in corruption cannot seriously address these issues. How can such a leader hold institutions accountable when those very institutions may have played a role in their rise to power?
 
It’s important to remember that corruption is a vicious cycle, and leaders who are themselves corrupt cannot credibly champion anti-corruption efforts. What can Tinubu possibly tell agencies like the EFCC or INEC when they may have facilitated his path to power? This compromises any hope of reform or accountability, making it impossible for such a president to lead the nation out of the depths of corruption. As a result, the country continues to suffer, and we see the consequences every day: inflation is skyrocketing, poverty is on the rise, and the economy is spiralling downward.
 
The silence from those who once fervently supported Tinubu’s election, particularly those in the diaspora, is deafening. Many of them campaigned online for his presidency, but now that the economy is collapsing, and the naira has plummeted, they are nowhere to be found. Their support was often driven by selfish interests—crumbs from appointments or positions in government—rather than genuine concern for Nigeria’s future. One need only look at the example of Reno Omokri, who once loudly accused Tinubu of being a drug lord but now appears to be dining with him, betraying the very principles he claimed to stand for in favour of personal gain.
 
It’s a bitter truth, but unless real accountability is demanded, Nigeria will remain stuck in this cycle of corruption. Worse still, we may find ourselves in the same situation after another four years, as INEC might once again return a corrupt leader to power. The question is, what are our youth doing about it? How much more suffering must we endure before we rise up to demand the leadership we deserve?
The youth of Nigeria must recognize that this is our fight. We cannot afford to be passive or to fall into the traps of tribal and religious politics again. We must push for leaders with integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to lifting the country out of its current crisis. If we fail to do so, the future will continue to be bleak, with corruption driving us further into poverty and despair.

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Anthony-Claret Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Codewit Global Network. He is also the publisher of Codewit.com & Igbopeople.org, where he curates and manages content across various domains. With a background in Software Engineering, he has held diverse roles, including Business Analyst, Software Developer, Digital Marketing Consultant, Graphic/Web Designer, Education Counselor, and Software Tester.

Beyond his professional expertise, Mr. Claret is a dedicated writer, activist, and humanitarian. He is a Pan-Africanist and a strong advocate for social justice, equality, and human rights. His passion for technology and digital innovation drives his work, making him an influential administrator, technology enthusiast, and social media strategist. An all-around digital visionary, he continues to contribute meaningfully to discussions on global development, human rights, and technological advancement.

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