Philip Brandford Adams
Renowned scholar Noam Chomsky has long argued that a failed state exhibits certain unmistakable characteristics: a collapse of the rule of law, widespread corruption, lack of democratic accountability, and a government that primarily serves the interests of the ruling elite rather than its citizens. By these standards, Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu increasingly fits the description of a nation in decline.
A failed state cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens, and in Nigeria today, insecurity has reached catastrophic levels. From the northern regions to the South, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers roam freely, slaughtering innocent Nigerians while the government appears either helpless or complicit. The kidnapping-for-ransom industry thrives, with an average Nigerian now living in perpetual fear—not knowing if they or their loved ones will return home safely at the end of the day.
The armed forces, police, and other security agencies, rather than being a protective shield for the people, are often accused of extrajudicial killings, brutality, and complicity in the very crimes they are meant to prevent. Chomsky describes such states as ones where violence is monopolized by the ruling elite while civilians are left vulnerable to non-state actors—a chilling reality in today’s Nigeria.
Democratic Deficit: A Government for the Few
Democracy is supposed to be government by the people, for the people. But in Tinubu’s Nigeria, it increasingly appears to be a government by the elite, for the elite. Elections, once seen as a means of change, are now marred by vote-buying, voter suppression, and brazen rigging. Dissenting voices are silenced, and opposition politicians are routinely harassed, arrested, or exiled into political oblivion.
A democracy in which political survival depends on absolute loyalty to the president rather than competence and public service is no democracy at all—it is an autocratic masquerade. Anyone who dares to question Tinubu’s policies or decisions is swiftly dealt with, whether through legal persecution or political intimidation.
Abuse of Power: The Judiciary, Legislature, and Executive as Accomplices
One of Chomsky’s key characteristics of a failed state is the breakdown of checks and balances—where the judiciary, legislature, and executive no longer function as independent institutions but as tools for authoritarian control.
The Judiciary: Once regarded as the last hope of the common man, the judiciary in Nigeria has become a pawn in the hands of the ruling class. Court rulings often favor the government, while cases involving corruption among the elite drag on indefinitely or are dismissed altogether. On the other hand, critics and activists face swift and severe punishment through politically motivated legal battles.
The Legislature: Rather than holding the executive accountable, the National Assembly has become a rubber-stamp institution, approving every move of the presidency without scrutiny. The Senate and House of Representatives, meant to represent the people, now serve as an extension of the ruling party’s executive arm. Laws are enacted not in the interest of Nigerians, but in furtherance of elite power consolidation.
The Executive: From blatant disregard for court rulings to reckless economic policies that plunge citizens deeper into poverty, the executive branch under Tinubu is arguably the most dangerous element of Nigeria’s failing state. Cronyism, favoritism, and nepotism determine political appointments, ensuring that only those willing to sing the president’s praises remain in positions of influence.
The Nigerian People: Left to Suffer
While the elite thrive in opulence, the average Nigerian is drowning in hardship. Inflation is at record highs, with basic necessities like food, fuel, and electricity becoming luxuries rather than essentials. The naira continues to depreciate, wages remain stagnant, and unemployment and underemployment push millions into despair.
Protests and dissent are swiftly crushed, with security forces often deployed to silence the voices of the oppressed. Yet, rather than tackling the root causes of unrest, the government’s response is increased militarization, media censorship, and repressive policies.
Chomsky suggests that failed states can only be saved when citizens rise against oppression and demand accountability. But in a country where oppression is institutionalized, is resistance even possible?
The Nigerian people stand at a crossroads: continue enduring this downward spiral or demand genuine governance and reform. The path forward will be difficult and dangerous, but history has shown that no dictatorship lasts forever.
For Nigeria, the choice is clear—continue on this road to full collapse, or fight for a nation where justice, security, and democracy truly reign.
Reference:
The article is primarily based on Noam Chomsky’s theories on failed states, which he outlined in his book Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy (2006). Chomsky identifies key characteristics of failing states, including:
1. Inability to provide security for citizens
2. Erosion of democratic institutions
3. Corruption and abuse of power
4. Concentration of power in the hands of a few elites
5. Suppression of dissent and opposition
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