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An Open Letter
By Fame Agidife
Reviewed by Femi Adeoye
October 14, 2025
Lagos, Nigeria
Fame Agidife’s "Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the Rise of Emperor Nero in Kaduna State" is not a letter to be read passively. It is a Molotov cocktail of historical analogy and righteous fury, thrown directly at the gates of Government House. Structured as an open letter, this concise and potent text accuses a sitting governor of embodying one of history’s most infamous tyrants, Emperor Nero. This is not a subtle critique; it is a direct confrontation, a citizen’s cry against what he perceives as the dawn of an autocratic reign in Kaduna State.
The power of Agidife’s argument lies in its potent central metaphor. By comparing Governor El-Rufai to Nero, he frames contemporary political events—specifically the detention of critic Dr. John Danfulai and the state's conflict with the Shiite Muslim sect—within a timeless narrative of persecution and the abuse of power. The letter is a masterclass in rhetorical strategy. Agidife invokes the very principles of free speech that he claims the governor once used to ascend to power, thereby accusing him of a profound and personal hypocrisy.
The second half of the document is a grim history lesson detailing Nero's persecution of the early Christians and his eventual, ignominious demise. This is not just historical filler; it is presented as a direct warning. Agidife is telling the governor, and the reader, that history follows a pattern and that tyrants, no matter how powerful they seem, inevitably face a reckoning. He skillfully uses the ancient testimony of the historian Tacitus to add weight and credibility to his parallel.
Agidife is careful to position himself not as a partisan actor but as a moral one. He explicitly states he is not a Shiite sympathizer but a "practicing Christian" and a "hater of oppression." This brilliant move elevates his argument from a specific political grievance to a universal defense of justice and human rights, making his message resonate far beyond the immediate context of Kaduna’s politics.
"The Rise of Emperor Nero" is a raw, passionate, and unflinching piece of political commentary. It is a testament to the power of a single voice armed with historical knowledge and a profound sense of justice. It is less of a policy analysis and more of a moral alarm bell, and its echoes are difficult to ignore.
Personal Remarks By Femi Adeoye
Reading this in 2025, years after the most intense periods of Governor El-Rufai’s tenure in Kaduna, is a sobering experience. The events Agidife references are not mere allegations; they are scars on our recent national memory. The clashes with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the suppression of dissenting voices were topics of heated debate across the country. We saw the headlines, we watched the videos, and we felt a deep sense of unease. Agidife’s letter doesn't just report on these events; it gives voice to the raw anger and feeling of betrayal that many Nigerians felt at the time.
The "Emperor Nero" comparison, while extreme, is not frivolous. In Nigerian political discourse, where leaders can often seem immune to criticism and detached from the struggles of the common person, such a powerful historical analogy serves a purpose. It’s a way of screaming, "We see what you are doing! This is not new! History will judge you for it." It’s a citizen’s attempt to break through the armor of power with the sharpest weapon available to the powerless: the truth, wrapped in a parable.
What resonates most deeply, from my perspective here in Lagos, is Agidife's appeal to a higher principle of justice that transcends religious divides. In a country so often fractured along ethnoreligious lines, his position as a devout Christian defending the rights of a persecuted Muslim sect is incredibly powerful. It is a profound call for Nigerians to see injustice to one as an injustice to all. It’s a reminder that true tyranny begins when we remain silent as our neighbor's rights are stripped away.
This open letter is a classic example of Nigerian civic engagement—bold, confrontational, and deeply moral. It stands in a long tradition of writers and activists speaking truth to power, regardless of the personal risk. It is a document that captures a specific moment of political tension, yet its message is timeless: power is temporary, but the judgment of history is absolute.
The Open Letter to the Governor
His Excellency,
Governor Nasir El-Rufai,
Kaduna State.
Your Excellency,
The subject of your governance has become a matter of grave public concern. I feel it is my duty as a citizen to write this open letter, expressing the sincere feelings of dismay and the profound discomfort felt by many citizens of this great nation regarding the manner in which you have transformed Kaduna State into a modern reflection of Emperor Nero’s ancient Rome.
Your arrest and detention of Dr. John Danfulai, in violation of his fundamental human right to freedom of expression, is a case in point. He dared to express his personal opinion on matters concerning his life, his family, and his environment—the very interests you were elected to serve and protect as the chief custodian of the law. This includes the Freedom of Information Act, which was enacted to protect such liberties. Your actions are not just unjust; they are absurd, coming from a man who was one of the foremost beneficiaries of this very right. You rose to power, in part, on a wave of popular support generated by your own relentless criticism of the previous administration.
Furthermore, your draconian policies, designed to ban and silence critics of your misgovernance and those in opposition to your religious beliefs, are no longer a secret. But let me remind you of a historical realism: "Religion is not just the opium of the people; it is a force that no man can extinguish." No religion survives the tide of time except by the will of God. If the Shiite Muslim sect is allowed to exist by the invincible hand of the Most High, then you must watch your back, for you are a vincible man fighting an invincible force.
Lest I be misunderstood, I am not a sympathizer of the Shiite Muslim sect, nor am I their legal counsel. I am a writer and a concerned citizen of Nigeria who detests oppression and values good governance. I am a practicing Christian, with Christianity in my very veins, so do not mistake my position. I simply believe that what is just is just, and what is unjust is unjust. Stop oppressing the oppressed with the instruments of power that you did not create and that will not remain with you forever.
If you care to know how the invincibility of the Most High has dealt with tyrants like you in the past—from Emperor Nero to Adolf Hitler, who murdered over six million Jews in his bid to exterminate their faith—then you will understand the fate that awaits those who embark on a mission to annihilate a people of God.
Part 2: A Historical Warning: The Fall of Emperor Nero
The Persecution of the Christians, 64 A.D.
A generation after the death of Christ, Christianity had reached Rome as an obscure offshoot of Judaism, popular among the city's poor and destitute. Members of this sect spoke of the coming of a new kingdom and a new king. These views provoked suspicion among the Jewish authorities and fear among the Roman authorities, who perceived these sentiments as a threat to the Emperor.
In the summer of 64 A.D., Rome suffered a terrible fire that burned for six days and seven nights, consuming almost three-quarters of the city. The people accused Emperor Nero of the devastation, claiming he set the fire for his own amusement. To deflect these accusations and placate the people, Nero laid the blame for the fire on the Christians.
The emperor ordered the arrest of a few members of the sect who, under torture, accused others until the entire Christian populace was implicated. As many Christians as could be found were rounded up and put to death in the most horrific manner for the amusement of the citizens of Rome. The ghastly way in which the victims were executed, however, aroused sympathy among many Romans, although most felt their execution was justified.
The Political Demise and Death of Nero
After the Great Fire, Nero resumed plans for his lavish palace, the *Domus Aurea*. To finance this project, he sold positions in public office, increased taxes, devalued currency, and confiscated property under the guise of treason.
These policies resulted in the Pisonian conspiracy, a plot formed in 65 A.D. by aristocrats, knights, senators, and even Nero's former mentor, Seneca. They planned to assassinate Nero and crown a new emperor. The plan was discovered, and the leading conspirators were executed.
Just three years later, in March of 68 A.D., the governor Gaius Julius Vindex rebelled against Nero's tax policies. He recruited another governor, Servius Sulpicius Galba, to join him and declare himself emperor. Though their initial forces were defeated, support for Galba grew rapidly. Even Nero’s own bodyguards defected.
Fearing his demise was imminent, Nero fled. His officers refused to obey him. His guards and friends abandoned him. When he received word that the Senate had condemned him to death by beating, he decided to commit suicide. Unable to do the deed himself, his secretary, Epaphroditos, assisted him.
Conclusion: A Voice of Wisdom and Voice Of Caution
Nero's end was a direct result of his tyranny. As he died, he is said to have exclaimed, ‘What an artist dies in me!’ He was the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors.
I sincerely wish a different fate for you. The path of tyranny is a lonely one, for while temporal power may be granted by the people, ultimate power belongs only to God.
I am Fame Agidife, a concerned citizen who has just added his voice to the chorus of wisdom.
Presented By Fame Agidife
At The Fame Agidife Leadership Lectures (TFALL)
As Reviewed By Femi Adeoye
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