Nigeria, June 7 -- A monk once offered a piece of wisdom that may contain one of the most accurate diagnoses of Nigeria's condition: "Imagine being bitten by a snake and, instead of focusing on healing from the poison, you chase the snake to understand why it bit you and to prove that you did not deserve it."

At first glance, the lesson appears personal. On closer reflection, it is profoundly political.

For decades, Nigeria has behaved like a nation chasing snakes.

We chased history and chased ethnic grievances. We have chased political betrayals, and chased colonial ghosts. We chased corruption scandals, and chased explanations. We have chased the culprits.

Yet while we chase, the poison spreads.

The poison of distrust, poison of di...