Same Story, Different Era: Nigeria's Enduring Blame Game Over Insecurity

A political poster currently circulating online draws a comparison between the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the current government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The message is simple but provocative: while insecurity remains a major challenge in Nigeria, political actors continue to shift responsibility rather than focus on lasting solutions.

The poster's headline, "Same Story, Different Era – Blame Game Never Stops," suggests that despite changes in leadership, the pattern of assigning blame has remained consistent.

The Jonathan Era: Federal Government Under Fire

During the administration of Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015), Nigeria faced serious security challenges, particularly the rise of insurgency in the North-East. The Boko Haram crisis led to widespread violence, displacement of communities, and international concern.

At the time, many opposition politicians, civil society groups, and critics accused the Federal Government of failing to protect lives and property. Security failures were often placed directly at the doorstep of the presidency, with demands for stronger leadership and more effective security measures.

The poster captures this narrative with the statement:

"They blamed the Federal Government for insecurity."

This reflects the political climate of that period, where the central government was widely seen as bearing primary responsibility for national security.

The Tinubu Era: Focus on State Governments

Fast forward to the present administration under President Bola Tinubu. Nigeria continues to grapple with banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity.

According to the image shows, a new narrative is emerging. Rather than placing the bulk of responsibility on the Federal Government, attention is increasingly being directed toward state governors, local authorities, and regional security structures.

The poster argues:

 "They want to shift the blame on state governors."

This criticism implies that some political actors are now emphasizing the role of governors in addressing security concerns, despite security agencies remaining largely under federal control.

The Central Message: Nigerians Want Solutions

At the center of the graphic is the statement:

"Insecurity is real, but so is the blame game."

This serves as the main argument of the poster. The creator suggests that while insecurity is a genuine and pressing issue, political leaders often spend more time assigning responsibility than implementing effective solutions.

The concluding messages reinforce this point:

"Same excuses. Different faces."

"Stop the blame game. Solve the problem!"

"Nigerians deserve solutions, not excuses."

Understanding the Debate

The issue of responsibility for security in Nigeria is complex.

Federal Government's Role

Under Nigeria's constitution:

The President serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The military, police, and most security agencies are controlled by the Federal Government.

National security policy is primarily directed from Abuja.

Supporting local intelligence gathering.

Funding security logistics within their states.

Collaborating with federal security agencies.

Establishing complementary security outfits where legally permitted.

Because of this shared involvement, debates often arise regarding who should be held accountable when security situations deteriorate.

Political Implications

The reflects a broader frustration among Nigerians who believe that security should transcend partisan politics. Whether under Jonathan, Buhari, or Tinubu, citizens are primarily concerned with safety, economic stability, and protection of lives and property.

Many observers argue that Nigerians are less interested in determining who should be blamed and more interested in seeing:

Reduced kidnapping and banditry.

Improved intelligence gathering.

Better-equipped security agencies.

Stronger coordination between federal and state authorities.

Swift justice for criminal offenders.

The image is a political commentary rather than a neutral factual report. Its core message is that insecurity has remained a recurring challenge across different administrations, while political leaders and supporters often engage in blame-shifting.

 The poster ultimately calls for a departure from political excuses and urges leaders at all levels of government to focus on delivering practical solutions that improve the security and well-being of Nigerians.