NOTE: This article was first published in June 2025. Recent occurrences on the political scene have made this repetition necessary. Most of those who end up being victimised by a dictator were once his fervent promoters.
“When a nation has allowed itself to fall under a tyrannical regime, it cannot be absolved from the faults due to the guilt of the regime” – Sir Winston Churchill, 1874-1965
“The face of tyranny is always mild at first” – Jean Racine, 1639-1699
Most African and Nigerian leaders are often too busy hustling to make as much money for themselves and family that they have no time to read. They certainly don’t engage staff who can undertake the most casual review of historical precedents in order to guide their actions. Let me confess that it appears as if the rest of the world is catching up to us as we drift gradually towards World War III. Only God knows what this planet will look like after mankind would have done its worst to annihilate the species from the face of the Earth.
Just last week, it was announced on this page that WORLD WAR III has started and only the official declaration and shooting remains. Two days after Israel attacked Iran, justifiably or not, and has exonerated Russia from invading Ukraine; and excused China if it chooses to forcefully annex Taiwan. The Chinese invasion, which is only a matter of time, will present America with a dilemma: Face China based on its treaty obligations or accept the loss of an ally and the humiliation that entails. Given Trump’s instincts, confrontation and conflict will be his response. There lies the danger. Escalation will surely follow; and a full scale war might result – with nothing off the table on weapons to be deployed.
