Former Osun governor, Bisi Akande, recently claimed that the #EndSARS protests of 2020 were orchestrated as a conspiracy against President Bola Tinubu, alleging that supporters of Peter Obi funded the movement with money from the United States. The accusation, however, lacks evidence and fits into a broader pattern of attributing Nigeria’s political events to external forces. This tendency to blame foreign influences, particularly the USA, is not new, as many Nigerians have long viewed Western institutions like the IMF and World Bank as key players in the country’s economic struggles. Akande’s assertion reflects how political narratives are shaped to serve vested interests rather than acknowledge domestic factors.
The belief in America’s omnipresence in Nigerian Politics extends beyond EndSARS. Some argue that the USA facilitated Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 victory, disregarding the role Nigerian voters played in rejecting Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Such narratives often overlook the complexities of local political dynamics and instead frame events as the result of unseen international forces. This absolves Nigerians of responsibility for their own political choices, reinforcing a Culture where success and failure are attributed to external interventions rather than internal agency.
Politicians downplay public anger to rewrite the narrative.
Historical revisionism has also been a tool for political actors to reshape public perception. Akande’s argument erases the genuine frustrations that drove EndSARS protesters to the streets, just as similar attempts have been made to downplay the grassroots anger behind the Occupy Nigeria protests of 2012. In both cases, Nigerian youths responded to systemic issues, but politicians often frame these movements as being orchestrated by hidden forces. This not only distorts history but also undermines the legitimacy of citizen-led activism.
A significant takeaway from this discourse is the selective focus of political figures like Akande. Despite Tinubu contesting against multiple opponents in 2023, only Peter Obi remains a persistent figure in these narratives. Obi’s unexpected popularity among young voters rattled the political establishment, leading some to dismiss his success as an outcome of foreign influence rather than genuine political momentum. The reluctance to acknowledge his impact highlights how entrenched politicians struggle to adapt to shifting electoral realities.
Nigerian leaders must take responsibility for their own actions.
Beyond Akande’s claims, this issue highlights a broader challenge in Nigerian politics: an over-reliance on conspiracy theories to explain political events.While external influences exist in global politics, Nigerian leaders and citizens alike must take greater responsibility for the nation’s trajectory. Blaming foreign actors for political shifts or social unrest not only distorts reality but also weakens discussions on governance and policy failures. Instead of dismissing public grievances as foreign-sponsored agendas, political actors should engage with the concerns that fuel them. Addressing the root causes of discontent, whether insecurity, political exclusion, or economic hardship, is far more important than deflecting responsibility.
Additionally, the persistence of these narratives reflects the deep distrust many Nigerians have in their institutions. Years of corruption, electoral irregularities, and unfulfilled promises have eroded faith in the system, making it easier for people to believe that unseen foreign hands dictate political outcomes. When citizens feel powerless in shaping their country’s future, they may find comfort in attributing events to larger forces beyond their control. Restoring trust in governance requires more than rhetoric; it demands transparency, genuine political accountability, and a government that prioritises the Welfare of its people over propaganda.
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As the political landscape evolves, the same tactics used to delegitimise opposition voices today may be repurposed by future challengers against the current establishment. Without a shift away from scapegoating and towards substantive governance, Nigerian politics will remain locked in a cycle where those in power rewrite narratives to serve their own selfish interests. Meaningful progress depends on a commitment to addressing governance failures rather than putting the blame on external forces for the country’s political realities.