In a weekend reflection shared on his verified Twitter account, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai addressed the pervasive issue of envy in Nigerian politics, drawing inspiration from a quote by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
El-Rufai cited Harris’ words, “None of us has to fail for all of us to succeed. And in unity, there is strength,” delivered at the Democratic National Convention during her 2021-2024 tenure, as a catalyst for his thoughts on Nigeria’s political landscape.
El-Rufai emphasized that envy, a sentiment he described as requiring “everyone to fail for one to succeed,” is particularly prevalent among key political actors in Nigeria. He argued that this destructive emotion often targets individuals with competence, capacity, and commitment—qualities that should ideally be celebrated but instead attract resentment from those who lack them.
“Instead of striving to attain,” El-Rufai wrote, “the envious seek to hate and destroy those that are better.” He linked envy to a chain reaction that escalates from hatred to destructive actions, including perjury, malicious prosecution, persecution, unlawful imprisonment, torture, and even murder. These actions, he noted, are not just theoretical but have real and devastating consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
The former governor expressed deep concern about the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s political leadership, attributing the nation’s challenges to the declining competence, capacity, and commitment of its leaders. He questioned whether the “incurable disease of envy” among Nigerians, particularly within the political class, could ever be cured, expressing personal doubt about the possibility.
Despite his skepticism, El-Rufai called for a concerted effort to confront and degrade the “virus of envy” to ensure Nigeria’s potential for greatness and leadership within the global Black community is realized. He concluded his reflection with a hopeful prayer for the nation’s future, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue for Nigeria to fulfill its “manifest destiny.”
El-Rufai’s reflection has sparked significant discourse on social media, with many users debating the root causes of envy in Nigerian politics and the broader implications for the country’s development. His call to action serves as a reminder of the critical need for unity and mutual support in the pursuit of national success….Vïêw–Môrê