Human rights activist Mahdi Shehu has said that Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should not be about celebrations but rather about apologies, restitutions, and reflection.
In a post shared on X on Thursday, Shehu argued that only a few privileged Nigerians and those who have benefited from the country’s resources and political power have reasons to celebrate.
“The only people entitled to celebrate Nigeria @65 are those whose families have been milking the country dry, those who hold power as if it is their birthright, and those who steal from the nation’s common wealth,” he wrote.
“Those who have been holding and are still holding power by an accident of history through unfair, undemocratic and foul means and are not willing to let go because they believe it is hereditary, right and entitlement.
“Those that have been stealing largely from the common wealth of the nation, personalising the same and believe it is their birth right to continue doing so.
“Otherwise what is there to celebrate by the over 200 million Nigerians that have been deliberately posted into permanent and irreversible economic husbandry covered by disease, hunger and death?,” he asked.
He questioned what joy ordinary citizens should find in the face of widespread poverty, poor healthcare, insecurity, and millions of children out of school.
“What will 70 million diabetic and hypertensive patients celebrate when they cannot afford their daily medications? Why would parents of 60 million out-of-school children celebrate Nigeria @65?” he asked
“Why would Millions of Nigerians be celebrating at a time when they are surrounded by uncertainties, hunger and opportunistic diseases with no social safety nets to cover them?.
Shehu also pointed to the pain of families who have lost loved ones to kidnapping, killings, and mass graves, stressing that such citizens cannot find reason to mark Independence Day with joy.
“Why would Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his friends, followers,admirers and family members celebrate Nigeria @@65 when they see murderous bandits , criminal gangs, kidnappers and other non state actors, wielding AK 47 , AK 49, rocket launchers in the midst of Security officials, negotiating truce, giving terms and conditions, admitting their heinous crimes etc
“Why would they celebrate when murderous Boko Haram and other extremist killers are being granted amnesty and integrated back into the society after all the death they caused, the pain and dislocations they championed.”
Rather than fireworks and festivities, he insisted, the day should be “a moment of apologies for serial disappointments, restitutions for avoidable deaths, and mass obituaries for those buried in mass graves.”
According to him, many Nigerians would prefer if the country could “start afresh at one year old, so they can decide where to grow and prosper away from the contraption.”
Nigeria at 65: Only those milking country have reasons to celebrate – Mahdi Shehu