Nigeria culture of losing fuels electoral disputes and political instability; experts warn ethical and cultural reforms are crucial for democracy and security

In 2023, I wrote an article titled “Nigeria: A Nation of Sore Losers,”
examining a troubling pattern across Nigerian society, academics, sports, and
electoral politics alike.

Also read: NNPP slams INEC, says electoral body playing partisan politics

The argument was uncomfortable but necessary:
many Nigerians struggle to accept defeat, regardless of evidence, preferring
excuses, conspiracy theories, and allegations of unfairness.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, this mentality must now be
confronted not merely as a cultural defect, but as a serious national security
threat.

A Culture of Excuses
Across Nigerian society, failure is rarely internalized as the result of poor
preparation, weak strategy, or incompetence. Instead, blame is reflexively
shifted to:

• Officials
• Institutions
• Processes
• Imagined conspiracies

From primary school to university, students who fail examinations often
accuse lecturers of victimization or favoritism, despite obvious lack of
preparation.

This mindset follows Nigerians into adulthood and public life.

Road accidents are blamed on witches, destiny, the devil, or “spiritual
attacks”, anything but reckless driving or human error. Accountability is
consistently outsourced.

This is how a society learns not to improve.
Sports: Society on Display

Nigeria’s obsession with football offers a revealing mirror. Defeat is almost
never accepted on its merits. Losses are blamed on:
• Biased referees
• Corrupt officials
• External sabotage

Rarely do we hear honest assessments of tactical failure, poor execution, or
superior opposition. Someone must always be blamed. Growth becomes
impossible where self-deception reigns.

Elections and the Refusal to Concede

This same mentality dominates Nigeria’s electoral history. From the First
Republic to the present Fourth Republic, almost every major election has
been disputed often without credible shred of evidence.

Electoral disputes in the Western Region during the First Republic
degenerated into violence.

In 1979 and 1983, supporters of the Unity Party of
Nigeria refused to accept defeat, insisting victory had been stolen despite
fragmented opposition and regional voting realities.

The pattern continued in 1999, 2003, and 2007, when losing parties rejected outcomes despite weak
national structures and limited reach.

Democracy demands readiness to win and to lose. In Nigeria, democracy is
only legitimate when “our side” wins.

The Fourth Republic and Electoral Delusion

The Fourth Republic has been no different. Supporters of General
Muhammadu Buhari believed, without proof that elections lost in 2003, 2007,
and 2011 were all rigged against him.

Similarly, the 2023 presidential election exposed the dangers of electoral
fantasy. The rise of a third force fractured the opposition vote.

Elementary electoral mathematics made it clear:
• A divided opposition cannot defeat a consolidated ruling party
• Social media popularity is not electoral strength
• Ground organization, coalitions, and message discipline still matter
Yet once results were declared, allegations of rigging dominated public
discourse again, largely unsupported by evidence.

Why This Is a National Security Issue
This mentality is not harmless. Its consequences are profound:
• Political violence
• Riots and destruction of property
• Erosion of trust in democratic institutions
• Openings for subversive and destabilizing actors
When citizens are conditioned to believe that every loss equals fraud,
democracy becomes unsustainable.

A Comparative Lesson
This mindset is not uniquely Nigerian. After the 2016 U.S. presidential
election, many Democrats attributed their loss solely to Russian interference,
avoiding hard reflection on campaign failures.

The narrative became a psychological refuge rather than a learning tool.
Democracies mature when losers reflect, reorganize, and return stronger, not
when defeat is mythologized.

The Only Way Forward: Culture Change Nigeria cannot develop while remaining a nation that refuses to accept loss.
In every human endeavor, there are only two outcomes: victory or defeat. Not
every defeat is manipulation. Not every victory is fraud.
Until Nigerians learn to:

• Accept unfavorable outcomes
• Analyze failure honestly
• Compete ethically
• Rebuild strategically

we will continue to recycle the same crises, election after election.