Nigeria’s Shrinking Civic Space, By Jibrin Ibrahim
The Nigerian state is undergoing a three-dimensional crisis.
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…there is an on-going rapid slide into anarchy, precipitated by the most serious collapse in security provisioning in our country, which is confronted by an almost complete lack of leadership or governance response to a multipronged crisis.
Yesterday, I participated in a workshop organised by General Saleh Bala (rtd.) on national security and Nigeria’s shrinking civil space. During the session, we noted that the loudest voices in the country today are those of discord and disintegration. Indeed, over the past few days, Nigerians have received several warnings from the Presidency, the military and security agencies not to break up the country. This is in reaction, I think, to loud cries from many Nigerians that they have had enough of being married partners to the other in the country and they want a divorce. I was alarmed when three days ago, the Nigerian military warned politicians and soldiers against any military coup in the country. The statement was from the Defence Headquarters, by its spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, who said it was reacting to a call by a senior lawyer for the handing over of power to the military. It struck me that we are living in dangerous times.