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[OPINION] Breaking Bad: The Nigerian Episode

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

By Israel Adebiyi

There is a moment in the iconic series
_Breaking Bad_ when Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, declares, “I am not in danger… I am the danger.” That transformation—from a man broken by a failed system to one willing to burn it all down—captures the soul of a story far beyond television. It captures Nigeria.

Ours is a country where the line between villain and victim often blurs. Where desperation becomes a driving force and crime can masquerade as strategy. And like Walter White, many Nigerians—especially the youth—are forced to break bad, not because they are evil, but because they have been cornered by a system that does not work.

For example, we must ask ourselves: what becomes of the honest man in a dishonest system? Walter White did not start off as a criminal. He was a teacher, a father, a man with pride and potential—crushed by a healthcare system that could not save his life, a job that could not pay his bills, and a nation that offered him nothing but slow death. In Nigeria, thousands of graduates roam the streets jobless. Skilled professionals migrate en masse, not for adventure but for survival. Honest men and women are broken daily by a system that undermines integrity and rewards manipulation. They “break bad”—morally, mentally, and sometimes criminally.

The tragedy, both in the show and in Nigeria, is not the struggle but the system that fails its people. Walter’s cancer diagnosis was not the villain. The villain was the structure that made illegal drug production seem like a legitimate way to fund treatment. Similarly, Nigeria’s tragedy is not only in its poverty—it is in the betrayal of its promise. A country endowed with oil wealth cannot provide basic electricity, quality education, or even security. Pensioners die waiting to be paid. Students lose years to strikes. The social contract is constantly breached—and when the people get tired, they stop playing by the rules.

As people adapt, morality itself becomes political. Walter justified his crimes by claiming he did it for his family. In Nigeria, we hear the same rationalizations: Politicians loot to “secure the future” for their children; clergies cover abuse to “protect the gospel”; the middle class stays silent to “avoid trouble.” The line between right and wrong fades when survival becomes the only metric. But the same justifications that fuel survival also fertilize corruption—and the descent becomes cultural.

This breakdown persists because of weak institutions and selective justice. In _Breaking Bad, law enforcement is either asleep, compromised, or tragically late. Nigeria is no different. The law bends before the rich and crushes the poor. When a politician steals billions, he is celebrated with chieftaincy titles. When a jobless youth steals a phone, he faces jungle justice. Our justice system does not serve—it discriminates. The problem is not just criminal behaviour—it is unequal accountability.

And then there are the Nigerian “Heisenbergs”—powerful individuals who exploit loopholes in the system to dominate it. Just as Walter evolved into a figure feared more than any cartel boss, Nigeria has birthed its own overlords in agbadas and uniforms—those who manipulate government, military, and the economy for personal gain. The parallel underworld is no longer underground—it is policy, it is power, it is public.

But perhaps what enables all of this more than anything is silence, the co-conspirator. In the show, Skyler knew. Jesse knew. Hank suspected. But they all kept quiet until it was too late. In Nigeria, we know. We see the rigging, the looting, the lies. But we shrug: “E no concern me.” “God will judge.” “Let me face my hustle.” This complicity gives corruption its staying power. When we normalize dysfunction, we forfeit the right to complain about its consequences.

Worse still is the madness of control. Walter believed he could control everything—his illness, the drug market, his family. But it all spiraled. Nigerian leaders too believe they can suppress the masses, manipulate elections, and weaponize poverty without consequence. But history disagrees. From the Aba Women’s Riot to the End SARS protests, Nigerians have shown that when the people rise, no amount of force can hold back a tidal wave of discontent.

So we must ask: must we all break bad to survive? Or can we break better? Nigeria does not need more Heisenbergs. It needs people with courage to disrupt the cycle—not with crime, but with creativity; not with silence, but with defiance. It needs voters who understand power, entrepreneurs who refuse shortcuts, clergies who preach conscience, and leaders who serve, not steal.

_Breaking Bad_ ends in fire and blood. But Nigeria does not have to. We still have a choice. A choice to stop cooking the poison and start healing the nation. A choice to stop being Walter White—and start being right.

Because Nigeria does not need another lord. It needs citizens who are tired of breaking and ready to build.

And that is the pulse. Until next week, keep your finger on it.

Writer’s note: This piece is not intended to make an excuse for criminality, deviance, or the erosion of moral values. Rather, it seeks to hold a mirror to our society—to reflect how a broken system can turn honest men into desperate actors. In Nigeria today, many argue that it is nearly impossible to succeed without engaging in some form of irregularity. That, right there, is the psychological power of a failed system: it rebrands evil as a necessary tool for survival and presents wrongdoing as the only route to being right. This piece is an indictment of such a reality and a call to re-examine the systemic dysfunctions that are normalizing corruption, compromise, and silence.

Israel Adebiyi is the Head of News, Super FM, Benin City, Edo State.

News

Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

Published

15 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central).

The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission.

Those confirmed as members of the RSIEC are Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.

Objecting to Odey’s confirmation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) said bad precedent should not be set by allowing a non-indigene to head the electoral commission of a state.

He said: “I objected as observed because if it is allowed and becomes the norm, it will not be well for the country.

“I do not see the necessity of having someone from another state to chair an electoral body.”

Also kicking against the approval, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South), said it is wrong to scout for a non-indigene for such sensitive position when there are over one thousand indigenes who are qualified.

Referring to a comment by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said politics was infused into the matter.

“It is here that politics is brought into this matter. Nobody is objecting to the personality but to a question of morality this appointment has raised.

“I am not a lawyer and not talking law, we are talking about ethics. This is unethical. We should not intrude politics into what we do here,” Moro said.

But the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), argued that Odey’s appointment is constitutional and that there is nothing wrong im the confirmation by the Red Chamber.

He said: “The constitution is the ground norm and inasmuch as there is no provision in the constitution that is against appointing a non-indigene, the confirmation is then in order.

“Any Nigerian is free to take up appointment in any state. I can be a governor in Benue State. We are talking about constitution, not morality.”

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating concerns raised, however, appealed that it is a matter that should not be politicized, saying “The matter does not call for grandstanding.”

He argued that Odey is both eligible and qualified as a PhD holder.

Bamidele disclosed that the committee had also raised similar concern during the screening exercise where he called on Odey to provide constitutional evidence of his eligibility.

He said the Odey is eligible and qualified, adding that having the six other members from Rivers State, picking a non-indigene as chairman would create room for transparency and neutrality.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau, who presided over the session, insisted that anybody can work anywhere in Nigeria.

Barau cited an example of an indigene of Edo State who is the Head of Service in Abia State.

He said the objection “is purely politics because it is coming from APC”.

In the same development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Civil Service Commission consists of five members, including its Chairman, Dr Livinus Bariki, and Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry as members.

Also confirmed are the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Isreal N Amadi and Mr Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego, George Didia, Dr Tonye Willie D Pepple, Barrister Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Dr Sammy Apiafi, as members.
(DAILY POST)

News

Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State

Published

16 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.

The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.

This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

DAILY POST reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

DAILY POST reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

News

Kebbi Govt Mulls Death Penalty For Bandit Informants

Published

16 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Government has said it would review existing laws to impose death penalty or life imprisonment on convicted informants aiding the criminals in the state.

This is coming in the wake of renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of the state.

The State Governor, Nasiru Idris made this disclosure on Tuesday, when he paid condolence visits to Tadurga village in Zuru and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas, both recently targeted by bandits in attacks that claimed 30 lives.

The governor, while describing informants as deadly to society, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity and promised to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.

He expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, praying for the victims and asking Allah to grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi and a quick recovery to those injured.

“We are here to see things for ourselves, commiserate with you and reassure you of the urgent steps we have taken to improve security,” he said.

The Governor called on the public to refrain from politicizing security issues or spread unverified information on social media, warning that such actions could jeopardise ongoing efforts to restore peace.

Responding, the Chief of Danko, Ibrahim Al’aji, and the Chief of Dabai, Suleiman Sami, appreciated the governor for his swift intervention and called for enhanced security measures, especially along routes used by bandits entering from neighboring states.

The Emir of Zuru, Rtd. Major General Sani Sami also expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and ongoing commitment to security in the emirate.