He blamed one group for Nigeria’s division — His reason is stirring debate

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Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has called for stronger national unity in Nigeria, warning that tribalism and division are largely the result of leadership failure.

He made the remarks on Sunday while delivering a keynote address at the Arewa Twitter Connect held in Kano, themed “Beyond the Timelines.”

In his presentation, Shehu stated that many of the country’s challenges stem from self-serving leadership and a lack of accountability, which he said have influenced citizens’ behaviour over time.

He explained that individuals in society can generally be classified into different categories based on their mindset and actions, noting that some are self-centered while others think about the broader community.

“According to Greek philosophy on nation-building, every society is made up of four categories of people. The first are fools, who think only about themselves, plan only for themselves, and care only about themselves, where if they have food, they don’t care if others starve.

“The second are tribalists, who think only about their tribe, protect only their tribe, and ignore others as long as their own group is not affected.

“The third are citizens, who think beyond themselves, feel the pain of others as their own, and are willing to sacrifice comfort so others can live better. And the fourth are idiots, who repeatedly choose to remain victims, today a victim, tomorrow a victim, always a victim without learning or changing their situation,” he stated.

According to him, leadership plays a critical role in shaping these attitudes: “Who creates fools? It is leaders. Leaders contribute substantially to creating selfish people when they show greed, arrogance, and a lack of concern for the masses.”

He warned that when leaders enrich themselves while neglecting the people, it promotes selfish tendencies among citizens.

“If a leader comes into office poor and suddenly becomes extremely wealthy, building mansions and living large while the people suffer, others begin to think that selfishness is normal,” he said.

Shehu also connected the rise of tribal sentiments to poor leadership, stating that those in authority often deepen divisions through their conduct and decisions.

He said tribalism thrives when leaders fail to act justly and erode public trust.
“The same leaders who break laws, fail to keep promises, and steal resources are the ones creating tribalists and divided citizens,” he said.

The analyst further criticised the protection of corrupt individuals in society, warning that it undermines national unity.

“As long as Nigeria continues to give shelter to criminals, thieves, and corrupt people, the country will remain divided along ethnic and religious lines,” he added.

Shehu also called on religious and traditional leaders to take a more active role in promoting integrity and accountability rather than enabling corruption.

He illustrated his argument with examples of how traditional and religious leaders sometimes shield offenders from justice by protecting them and referring to them as their “sons.”

He also cited examples of honesty and patriotism from other countries, noting that trust and discipline help societies function more effectively elsewhere.

He urged Nigerians to adopt a stronger sense of citizenship, where individuals care for one another regardless of background.

“Citizens are those who feel the pain of others as their own pain,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of empathy and collective national responsibility.

Shehu concluded his address with a call for reflection and unity, urging Nigerians to prioritise nation-building over division and self-interest.

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