Nigeria, Dec. 30 -- In Nigeria, criticism of the state is too often mistaken for hostility towards the country. Those in authority-and often their sympathisers-frequently frame public outrage as an attempt to "de-market" Nigeria rather than as a legitimate demand for accountability. This reflexive defensiveness once again surfaced following the road accident involving former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Reacting to public commentary on the incident, former presidential aide and ambassador-designate Reno Omokri criticised Nigerians on social media, accusing them of rushing to de-market the country by highlighting alleged failures in emergency response. He urged restraint, arguing that Nige...