Given the tapestry of the history and the polygonal dimension of armed conflict and political violence in Africa, the continent’s civilization becomes questionable when one considers the despoliation and decimation of lives through armed conflict and religious violence. Literary studies show that ethno-regional protests and agitation for change in the power structure were responsible for the spike in cases of political violence and insurgent groups. Drawing on enemy system theory, and a close reading of Tanure Ojaide’s The Questioner: New Poems, this paper describes the nature of this conflict in Nigeria. Specifically, this study attempts to explore the poetic representation of armed conflict and political violence, and how the phenomenon of perceived enemies may have contributed to the increase in such occurrences. A critical analysis of sections of the poem, shows that the metaphors deployed by this poet suggest that armed conflict and political violence in the country are born the psychological need to have enemies and allies. The paper argues that until and unless external power points and various internal dynamics are addressed, the growing tension within the states and regions may continue unabated.