Oppressive politics and economics of affluence: Micah 3:1–4 and its multifaceted parallels in modern-day Nigeria

Drawing from a time of social turmoil and economic disparity, the prophetic book of Micah succinctly captures essential messages that resonate in modern contexts of marginalisation and vulnerability of people at different levels. Specifically, Micah 3:1–4 speaks very persuasively about how the wealthy and powerful oppress the poor through exploitative systems. As a sobering critique of corrupt, political and economic systems, this article seeks to explore the correspondence between economic exploitation in ancient Israel and oppressive politics in modern Nigeria-Africa’s reality. Reading through the lens of contemporaneity, this article brings together biblical and theological insights from Micah 3:1–4 to bear on exploitative leadership praxis that undermines the vulnerability of the poor in Nigeria. It underscores that Micah 3:1–4 mirrors several key aspects of oppressive politics and highlights the moral decay of leadership, and the exploitation of the vulnerable, all of which continue to shape the Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political reality. Such highlighting of leaders’ tyrannical behavior and systemic injustice calls for a mission of justice and accountability in a context of vulnerability of people.