In the colorful multi-tongued and bi-religion of Nigerian life, there’s a curious adage that rings true: “Our thief is our thief, let him be.” This phrase encapsulates a unique blend of acceptance, humor, and resilience amidst the chaos often associated with governance and society.
Picture a bustling neighborhood in Lagos, Ilorin or Kano, where the market pulse with life, and colorful stalls proudly display their goods and perishable farm products. Enter our friendly neighborhood thief—a charismatic figure known by all, who charmingly steals from the unwary while regaling them with tales of “yesterday’s hustle.” He steals without caring. He extorts with covert threats. With guaranteed impunity, he sees nothing wrong and we allow him to reign.
“Ah, but he’s one of us,” the vendors might say, shrugging their shoulders with bemused tolerance. After all, he’s familiar, like that annoying cousin who shows up to family gatherings, always asking for money but who everyone knows has a heart of gold underneath. “He is our thief”.
Here lies the irony: in a society where corruption often permeates every level of governance, the thief has become almost a symbol of camaraderie. “He steals because he knows we wouldn’t,” they chuckle, rationalizing behavior that straddles the line between right and wrong. Instead of indignation, they embrace a resigned fondness for this familiar rogue. “He is our thief”. Iya layo was our thief in Ilorin.
Now, shift the focus to the realm of governance, where the situation becomes even more absurd. Here, our thief dons agbada, a suit and tie or babanriga, eloquently lying through his teeth while addressing the nation about grand plans and respectable prowess. We roll our eyes, saying, “That’s just how he does business.” “Let’s take our share of national cake now before he heads to Abuja”.
While the local thief pilfers a tuber of yam, these thieves in babanriga engage in the multi-billion naira heist, all while waving the flag of nationalism. “Let them be,” many murmur, accepting this cycle as a part of political life. After all, there’s camaraderie in shared grievances—a strange bond over the awareness that the system is rigged. “?They are our thieves”.
“Isn’t it funny?” we say with a wry smile. “Our thief is our thief, and at the very least, he’s one of us!”
In a nation where both the petty criminal and the politician resonate as part of the same comedic tragedy, Nigerians have developed an uncanny resilience. Laughter becomes the coping mechanism, a balm for frustrations that threaten to overwhelm.
Community gatherings turn into storytelling sessions, where everyone recounts the latest antics of the local thief or the latest political blunder—a chance to bond over shared absurdities and enjoy the richness of camaraderie, no matter how dysfunctional.
“Look at the brazen audacity!” they laugh. “He even had the nerve to ask for money on the same street he just robbed!” And with every uproarious laugh, there’s a healing thread binding the community, reinforcing the notion that despite the myriad of challenges, life goes on.
Yet within this comedic acceptance lies a deeper longing for change. Beneath the laughter is a desire for a day when the thief—both local and political—will no longer be accepted as part of the status quo. The phrase may echo with amusement today, but the hope remains that tomorrow will see accountability and integrity shine brightly.
Perhaps it’s the youth we see gathering in at university squares and taverns / beers parlours, brainstorming innovative ideas, or the activists rallying for better governance. “Let them be?” they say defiantly, “No more! Our future won’t be shaped by thieves!”
In the end, “Our thief is our thief, let him be,” serves as both a humorous lament and a reflective commentary on the acceptance that permeates Nigerian society. With laughter and camaraderie, the nation navigates this intricate dance between acceptance and the unyielding hope for transformation. In this vibrant tapestry, Nigeria stands tall—witty, resilient, and ever hopeful for a brighter tomorrow!