Human rights activist and social critic, Mahdi Shehu, has said that Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should not be a time for celebration, but for deep reflection, public apology, and restitution to the millions of citizens suffering under poor governance.
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Shehu criticised the federal and state governments, political elites, and others in power, accusing them of looting the country and inflicting hardship on the majority of Nigerians.
According to Shehu, only a privileged few — those who have held on to power and wealth for decades — have any real reason to celebrate.
“The only people entitled to celebrate Nigeria @65 are those whose families have been milking the country dry,” he said.
“Those who hold power as if it is their birthright, and those who steal from the nation’s commonwealth.”
He described Nigeria’s political system as one dominated by people who came to power through undemocratic means and refuse to let go because they treat leadership as hereditary.
“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.
Shehu highlighted the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, pointing to poverty, poor healthcare, hunger, and insecurity as reasons why most citizens cannot relate to the independence celebrations.
He asked how people struggling with chronic health conditions, like hypertension and diabetes, could celebrate when they cannot afford daily medications. He also raised concerns over the fate of 60 million out-of-school children.
“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?” he queried.
Shehu also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity and the growing trend of granting amnesty to bandits and insurgents.
He questioned how families who have lost loved ones to kidnapping, killings, and mass violence can take part in Independence Day celebrations when those responsible are walking free or being reintegrated into society.
“Why would Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his friends, followers, admirers and family members celebrate Nigeria @65,” Shehu wrote, “when they see murderous bandits, criminal gangs, kidnappers and other non-state actors wielding AK-47s and negotiating with security officials?”
He said it was unjust for violent groups like Boko Haram and other armed militias to be pardoned while innocent citizens live in fear and grief.
Instead of fireworks and flag-waving, Shehu called for a day of national repentance.
“It should be a moment of apologies for serial disappointments, restitutions for avoidable deaths, and mass obituaries for those buried in mass graves.”
He concluded by saying many Nigerians would rather the country start again from scratch.
“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 this contraption,” he wrote.
