Some appropriate steps for discouraging the use of money, an offensive statements against political opponents and the way forward in tackling political thuggery. Political thuggery has become one of the major problems of democracy in Africa. Generally, the use of influencers such as money, drugs, and illicit weapons as campaign promises has made it the subject of greater concern in the build-up to general elections. There is an urgent need for change from this narrative especially a change of attitude by political thugs who are often recruited and trained just for purposes of undertaking ill-will activities such as intimidation, harassment,…
Author: Editor
Nigerian policymakers and implementors love fiction and we as citizens play along. I just remembered that our next census is going to be in April, immediately after the elections in February and March. If there is a need for a run-off presidential election, it would happen just as the census is taking off. No sane country would roll out two massive high-cost events that require massive logistics and security arrangements just days apart. Sanity says they simply cannot happen in the same year. In Nigeria, no one cares because we all know it is make belief and will not happen…
…How Ikare age-long crisis can be settled permanently with creation of ‘Ikare-Oke’ town The latest crisis in Ikare Akoko is blamed on the attempt by some hoodlums who call themselves youths to undermine the report of the Ajama Chieftaincy White Paper which was recently released by the Ondo state government. On page eight and nine of the White Paper, the state government duly recognised the High Chief Olokoja of Okoja Quarter as one of the Kingmakers of the Owa-Ale of Ikare. It would be recalled that Olokoja chieftaincy is the only traditional head of Okoja Quarters, while others at the…
Passionate love for Nigeria, capacity, and ability to serve the nation with all their strength and might are the common features of the three political giants making them to be political triplets. Obi, Mustapha, and Adebayo are presidential candidates of LP, AA, and SDP, respectively. In addition to their passionate love for the country, they are strongly weathering the political tsunami of the 2023 presidential campaign with dexterity, I cannot but salute their courage and audacity. Each of these three would have been a big catch to the two dominating parties; APC and PDP but shunned them. In the absence…
Is it not enough to know the evil to shun it? If not, we should be sincere enough to admit that we love evil too well to give it up – Mahatma Gandhi I wrote this on 22/10/2018. The only change is in the headline where I changed 2019 to 2023. Now that the primaries are over with about 99% of the registered political parties having concluded their primary elections and names of candidates that emerged finding their way to the Independent National Electoral Commission, all eyes are on the two major parties – the ruling All peoples Congress (APC)…
By Emmanuella Anokam Following the instability in the European gas market occasioned by Russia-Ukraine war which started in February 2022, the European Union (EU) looks up to Nigeria as an alternative to supplement its gas needs. The EU currently imports 14 percent of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria. Reports in the international oil and gas market indicate that the bloc could double this figure. As the EU seeks alternative to dwindling gas supplies by Russia, Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources says it has a number of enablers and initiatives to fill the gap as well as lift the nation’s oil…
By Dahiru Mohammed I write on behalf of a group of indigenes of Sokoto state who are in pursuit of greener pastures in other parts of the country – so far away from our home. And I, as all my brothers here cannot ignore the smallest piece of news from my state. I feel happy and proud when good stories out of Sokoto reach me and very sad if I receive news of the slightest challenge that befall my place of origin. The issues that disturb me most in the past 20 years is the problem of insecurity that is…
The political landscape in the Sahel started changing dramatically in 2020 with the return of the military. It took a dramatic turn in Chad with the death of Chadian President Idris Derby in combat followed by a takeover by his son in April 2021. In August 2020 Assimi Goitre carried out the first phase of a coup in Mali. The Guinea regime fell to the military in September 2021 and a coup took place in Burkina Faso in September 2022. The question that is posed is whether we are back to the era in which those who can shoot their…
Our boss, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, my family and closest friends wouldn’t like what I am about to publicly reveal. I deeply apologise. Last week, I had a surgery at Max Multi Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, India. The surgery, which doctors categorised as a ‘high risk’ was around my chest wall and lungs. It lasted some hours. It was very successful. Alhamdulillah! Some readers, especially close friends, may now have mixed feelings: happy that the surgery went well, but disappointed that I kept them in the dark. I am sorry. If you (reading this) also feel that way, you…
I am pained to resume this piece on a sad note. “My darling mother, Eunice O. Adesina passed away today at the age of 92. I am blessed you were my mother. You gave birth to me, nursed me, cared for me, and brought me up. I am forever grateful Mum. So long sweet Mum, greet Dad and sleep well. I love you. Your loving baby, Akins”. This was the announcement made by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to the world via his Twitter handle, which indicates his brevity and bravery in handling emergencies. Blessed with famous children including the worthy ambassador…