By Israel Adebiyi

When a man stays too long where he passes excreta, different kinds of flies will visit him. This Yoruba adage carries deep metaphorical meaning about the dangers of overstaying or remaining in an undesirable, corrupt, or degrading situation. It teaches that there is wisdom in knowing when to leave a place, position, or situation. Staying too long in an unpleasant or unproductive environment can bring unnecessary troubles, shame, or ridicule. Just as flies gather where filth remains, prolonged presence in one spot, especially one associated with decay or negativity, can attract unwanted attention, gossip, or enemies. Donal Trump, the “gun blazing” U.S President has hit this home, setting the Nigerian public sphere on fire.

Nigeria’s long, unending bromance with insecurity and the reign of non-state actors breathing down the necks of innocent citizens has finally caught global attention, and not in a flattering way. For years, the most populous black nation sat comfortably amid filth – moral, economic, and political. We normalized insecurity, institutional decay, and leadership failure, as though chaos were a national identity. Now, the flies have arrived, from within and without, and this time, the buzzing comes from the White House.

For those who may have forgotten, back in 2018 in his first term in office, Trump had branded African countries a “shithole”. A subsequent meeting with late President Muhammadu Buhari that same year dwelled largely on the compelling reasons that earn Nigeria that label – killing of Christians in the Middle Belt.
These were his exact words about seven years ago: “We have had very serious problems with Christians who are being murdered in Nigeria. We are going to be working on that problem very, very hard because we cannot allow that to happen.”

Seven years down the line, the same allegations have resurfaced. In a statement that shocked the global diplomatic community, Trump, in his usual unfiltered bravado branded Nigeria “that shameful country” and threatened possible military invasion over what he called “the ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria.” His words have sparked outrage, debate, and even admiration among some Nigerians. But behind the drama lies a hard truth: a nation that refuses to manage its rot will one day become a playground for the flies of ridicule.

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Let’s not deceive ourselves, Trump’s language was offensive, reckless, and imperialistic. Yet, what moral high ground does Nigeria currently occupy to push back convincingly? Since Boko Haram’s rise in 2009, the country has spiraled from insurgency to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery. From Chibok to Dapchi, from Southern Kaduna to Benue, and from the Northwest to the Middle Belt, blood has flowed too freely.

Almost two decades later, the question is no longer whether the government can protect its people, it is whether it even knows how to try.

Billions of dollars have vanished into so-called counter-terrorism operations, yet terrorists still move with ease, sometimes better armed than the troops sent to confront them. Villages are erased overnight. Farmlands are deserted. IDP camps have become permanent homes for millions. And in the midst of all this, politicians trade blames, hold thanksgiving services, and prepare for the next election cycle, while Nigerians bury their dead in silence.

It is this silence that the world now interprets as complicity.
And when a nation appears complicit in its own tragedy, it loses the moral right to indignation.

Trump’s threat should offend every Nigerian, but it should not surprise anyone. Nations that fail to fix themselves invite pity, and sometimes, predation. We have built a global reputation as a land of endless potential and endless failure. The “Giant of Africa” now stands on the frail legs of corruption, insecurity, and poverty.

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It is this contradiction that emboldens the likes of Trump to hurl insults and contemplate intervention.

For a country so rich in natural resources, human capital, and spiritual fervor, Nigeria’s misery index is a paradox too glaring to ignore. Inflation sits above 30 percent, the naira gasps at ₦1,600 to a dollar, and youth unemployment continues to rise. When leadership turns failure into culture, ridicule becomes inevitable.

The greater tragedy, however, is not Trump’s words but Nigeria’s weakness that made them plausible. For years, our leaders have slept through crises. The insurgency grew under their watch. Banditry expanded under their silence. Farmers abandoned their fields. Schools became abduction zones. The economy bled, and they responded with propaganda and prayer breakfasts.

We have been a country at war without admitting it. And because we have refused to confront our internal decay, our tragedy has become global gossip.

The #EndSARS protest of 2020 was a warning shot, a generation’s cry against oppression and bad governance. Yet, five years later, nothing has changed. The same impunity that dehumanized young protesters at Lekki Tollgate now governs our security architecture. The same arrogance that dismissed public outrage then, dismisses international concern now.

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What is perhaps more disturbing than Trump’s arrogance is the chorus of applause from some Nigerians, Christians and non-Christians alike, who celebrated his threat as divine justice. They cheer an outsider’s insult as though humiliation were a cure.

But as the Yoruba proverb warns: “Omo ale lo n fi owo osi juwe ile baba re.” Only a bastard points to his father’s house with the left hand.

Criticizing one’s country is noble when done in the spirit of correction, but applauding its shaming is folly. A foreign bomb will not discriminate between the guilty and the innocent. Trump’s rhetoric is not motivated by love for Nigeria’s Christians, it is driven by the old Western savior complex, where Africa is the backdrop for another man’s ego and another nation’s geopolitical theater.

If history has taught us anything, it is that America does not invade to save, it invades to reshape. Ask Iraq. Ask Libya. Ask Afghanistan. They all began with the language of “liberation” and ended in ruins.

We are a people living dangerously on the brink, between pride and paralysis.

Trump’s verbal assault should not drive us to defensive anger; it should drive us to national introspection. This moment calls for leadership that listens, acts, and reforms with courage.

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Nigeria must rebuild faith in governance, starting with security sector reforms. We need intelligence-driven operations, proper welfare for troops, and an end to political interference in military command. Every attack on a community should prompt accountability, not recycled condolences.

Equally vital is rebuilding trust between the government and citizens. We must stop treating civic outrage as rebellion. Democracy thrives on the people’s voice, not their silence. When government disconnects from public pain, even sympathy from abroad becomes weaponized.

Finally, leadership must abandon propaganda and embrace truth. Nigerians are not asking for miracles; they are asking for sincerity.

America’s saber-rattling may fade, but the insult will linger if we fail to change. The way out is not to fight Washington’s words, it is to fix Abuja’s reality. A nation that works will not need to plead for respect. The flies will leave when we clean our house.

Nigeria remains a great country, wounded, weary, yet still standing. But greatness is not measured by slogans or population; it is measured by justice, accountability, and the value we place on human life.

If our leaders will finally lead, if our citizens will rise above apathy, and if our institutions will choose integrity over indulgence, then maybe, just maybe, the story will change.

And at that time, when the world looks our way again, it will not be with contempt or pity, but with admiration. Until then, we must keep asking:
When will Nigeria stop attracting flies and start commanding respect?

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday commenced the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to various local government areas across Anambra State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The distribution exercise, which took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Awka, was supervised by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Awgu, amid heavy deployment of security personnel.

Party agents, representatives of civil society organisations, and security operatives were also present at the venue to monitor the movement of the materials.

The sensitive materials distributed included the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B, which, according to the commission, would be moved to the various Registration Area Centres (RACs) ahead of the election.

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Speaking with journalists during the exercise, Awgu explained that the early distribution of materials was part of measures to ensure that the election commenced on schedule across the state.

She said, “People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking that your vote will not count, and do not assume that your candidate has already won. INEC is fully prepared for this election, and we are assuring the people of Anambra State of a credible and peaceful exercise.

“Party agents and security operatives jointly supervised the distribution of sensitive materials to ensure transparency. We have been at the CBN since 9 am, and everything has gone smoothly without any challenges or complaints. This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election.”

Awgu noted that INEC had made comprehensive preparations in collaboration with political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations to guarantee a free, fair, transparent, and credible process.

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INEC officials distributing electoral materials… Credit: Ikenna Obianeri
She said the three categories of sensitive materials—BVAS, Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B—were being moved to the RACs for final deployment ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Anambra, Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers.

According to him, the measure is to ensure adequate protection of voters, electoral officials, and election materials across the 21 local government areas.

Shogunle said, “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit. We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear.

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“The number would be increased to 55,000 as against the initial 45,000 personnel. The officers will be drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, and other sister agencies. At least three security officers will be deployed to each polling unit across the state.

“We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.”

Shogunle, who monitored the process at the CBN office, confirmed that the materials being moved included the BVAS devices and result sheets (Forms EC8A and EC8B) for the Saturday poll.

According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 registered political parties are contesting in the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

The European Union on Thursday announced the deployment of 687 observers to Anambra State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.

Through the programme, the EU is enabling its civil society partners to deploy election observers, strengthen peacebuilding, advance disability and gender inclusion, counter misinformation, and reinforce public confidence in the democratic process.

According to a statement by the EU in Abuja, seven of the 16 EU-SDGN implementing partners, namely the Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre, Centre for Media and Society, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa, are already on the ground in Anambra State.

“The key feature of this unified deployment is to obtain a broad view of the election by utilising the diverse skills and experience of the EU-SDGN partners, analysing the findings, and compiling them into a comprehensive report that will be made public and available to all stakeholders.

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“In total, the programme is deploying 687 observers across Anambra State, working in coordinated clusters that cover election integrity, disability inclusion, gender participation, peacebuilding, media and misinformation tracking, logistics observation, and real-time data reporting.

“This is one of the most extensive civil society-led observer deployments ever recorded for a state election in Nigeria.

“Each cluster is collecting evidence from a different angle. When those findings are merged, they offer a fuller, verifiable picture of the election that no single organisation could produce alone,” the statement read.

The observers are distributed across several thematic areas, including election integrity and results verification; disability inclusion with trained observers and stand-alone sign language interpreters; gender participation with observers tracking women-related issues; media and misinformation tracking through journalists and fact-checkers deployed across polling locations; peacebuilding and conflict prevention; and the monitoring of polling logistics and the distribution of sensitive election materials.

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Earlier this week, the EU-SDGN programme supported the signing of the Anambra Election Peace Accord involving all candidates and political parties.

“The Peace Accord is not the conclusion, but the beginning of responsibility,” the cohort affirmed. “Candidates must not only sign for peace, but act peacefully and respect the will of the voters.”

In addition, ahead of the governorship election, the EU-SDGN programme also presented a Joint Pre-Election Assessment Report.

The report analysed the political climate, security risks, media environment, and levels of gender and disability inclusion, and offered 66 actionable recommendations to strengthen electoral credibility, voter access, and institutional preparedness.

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The EU-SDGN is an EU-funded Nigerian civil society-led programme working to strengthen credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections across the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared full readiness for the governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the 5,718 wards across the state.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a stakeholders meeting in Awka, said about 24,000 ad hoc staff will be deployed while about 540 journalists have been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission is fully committed to the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 political parties are contesting the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is also seeking reelection under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance.