The Gods Are Angry: Nepal’s Protests and the Lessons for Nigerian Leaders

The Gods Are Angry: Nepal’s Protests and the Lessons for Nigerian Leaders

By Comr. Vincent Aluu PhD

“Whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad: the Case of Nepalese Corrupt leadership. Nigerian leaders take note”

The recent protests in Nepal are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and corruption. The government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country. The ban was seen as an attempt to stifle free speech and silence critics of the government.

The protests, led by Nepal’s Gen Z population, quickly escalated into a broader movement against corruption and government impunity. Despite the government’s claims that the ban was necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation, protesters saw it as a blatant attempt to suppress dissenting voices.

The situation took a deadly turn when security forces responded to the protests with violence, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 300 injuries. The government’s heavy-handed response only fueled further outrage and protests, with demonstrators demanding accountability and transparency.

In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, and fled the country [4]. The resignation came after widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the protests and the ban on social media.

The Nepalese government’s actions serve as a cautionary tale for leaders everywhere, including those in Nigeria. When leaders prioritize their own interests over the well-being of their people, they risk losing everything. The protests in Nepal demonstrate the power of citizen activism and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Nigeria is no stranger to protests against bad governance. The #EndSARS movement, which began in 2020, was a decentralised social movement that sought to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The movement’s slogan called for the disbandment of SARS, and it quickly gained momentum, with protests spreading across major cities in Nigeria and around the world.

Despite the government’s announcement to disband SARS, the movement continued to demand good governance and accountability. The protests were met with violence, and several non-violent protesters were killed at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

Fast forward to 2024, and Nigeria witnessed another wave of protests, this time against economic hardship and bad governance. The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on August 1, 2024, saw citizens take to the streets to demand an end to the rising cost of living, insecurity, and corruption.

The protests were marked by violence, with security forces responding with live ammunition, resulting in several deaths and injuries. Despite the government’s attempts to quell the protests, citizens remained undeterred, demanding accountability and transparency.

The continued recklessness of the government and its insensitivity to meeting the needs of the people have only fueled further outrage and protests. As Nigerian leaders take note of the unfolding events in Nepal, they would do well to remember that true leadership is not about personal aggrandizement, but about serving the people and working for the greater good. The Nepalese government’s downfall serves as a reminder that power is fleeting, and that leaders who forget their responsibilities to their people will ultimately face the consequences.

A day cometh when Ministers and failed politicians will be flogged and dusgraced in public for failing to usevtheir offices to fix the nation’s problems