We Blame the Government, But Are We Innocent?

Uchechi Okporie Uchechi Okporie Oct 26, 2026 3 min read
We Blame the Government, But Are We Innocent?

Many Nigerians blame the government for the problems facing the country. People complain about corruption, poverty, unemployment and the high cost of living. But one important question remains: are we, as citizens, doing the right thing?

During elections, some citizens collect money from politicians in exchange for their votes. After the elections, the same people complain about bad leadership and corruption.

But why should we expect good leadership when some of us accept money to make decisions that will affect the future of our country? The government has a duty to serve the people and use public money for the right purpose. Leaders must also be held responsible when they fail to do their jobs. Citizens should not be blamed for every problem caused by bad leadership.

However, we must also look at our own actions. We cannot continue to complain about corruption while taking part in it. If we want things to change, we must learn to reject bribery and make the right choices during elections.

This problem is not only about Nigeria. Africa has many talented people and natural resources, yet many people still live in poverty. There are different reasons for this, including poor leadership, corruption and a lack of opportunities.

If we want Nigeria and Africa to become better places, both leaders and citizens must play their part. The government must do what is right, while citizens must also stop supporting practices that harm society.

Change will not happen overnight, but we must be ready to take the first step.

We cannot build a better Nigeria if we continue to support the same bad practices we complain about. What do you think? Is the problem only with the government, or do citizens also have a role to play?

This opinion article is brought to you by Next Africa Daily.

Nigeria Good Governance African Development

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