In the course of the 2015 general elections, I travelled through the peril of bad roads to Ekpoma to cast my vote in the presidential election. Truly, I voted for Buhari. Despite the irregularities of the process, he won though with an implicit Carter clause, which is that though there were obvious irregularities, they were not enough to warrant an [...]
Nigeria’s laws, institutions and processes are, for the most part and with some exception, defined by two inherent flaws. One is the flaw of the time warp and the other is the flaw of institutional cross-dressing.Let’s begin with the time warp. Many of the essential norms and institutions that still govern the country that now exists as a democracy have [...]
What could have prompted Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai to make such very volatile comment attributed to him on a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) interview programme last week? Could it be due to a boldness acquired over the years in the uncharted field of Nigerian politics? Could the governor, famous for his brutal deployment of words and blood-soaked imageries, be [...]
When Globacom, the Nigerian telecommunications giant, unveiled Anthony Joshua as its brand ambassador a couple of weeks ago, something delighted me. Even though I know that the world heavyweight boxing champion is originally from Nigeria, I always see him as British. After all, Joshua — who currently holds three of the four biggest world titles — flies the British flag. [...]
I would have been surprised if the Buhari government had distanced itself from Nasir el-Rufai's diplomatic and security blunder. By supporting him, the Buhari administration has confirmed to the world leaders who could have been in doubt that, actually, el-Rufai spoke Buhari's mind and that what he said should be taken as the official opinion of the government. You see, to [...]
What is the difference between PDP and APC? Many would say, they are the same, which is not true. Looking at how both parties manage themselves and how they handle the business of governments when they win elections, here are some findings. First, INEC audit report for APC and PDP for the 2015 general elections reported by Premium Times of May [...]
If you were looking for reasons Nigeria has, despite its acclaimed potential If you were looking for reasons why Nigeria has, despite its acclaimed potential, remained a dwarf in the comity of nations, you will find one in an event that took place at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel on Sunday. That evening, Abuja played host to members of some largely [...]
Over the years, I have found out that politicians in Nigeria offhandedly and casually make lofty-promises that they indubitably know they would do nothing about, because they know that many Nigerians are naïve and they do not keep campaign promises. In fact, most religious Nigerians think it is a “sin” to hold public-office-holders accountable, even within the confines of our [...]
The plan by the PDP’s presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to grant amnesty to suspected treasury looters if elected President, is, in my opinion, the way to go. At an interview on the platform, ‘The Candidate’, hosted by broadcast journalist Kadaria Ahmed, Atiku was asked if corrupt people would be granted amnesty if he became President.He replied:“Why [...]
Really, it was reckless of Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, to have unabashedly promised a festival of blood-letting for foreigners who may want to “interfere” with this month’s election. Although I understand the statement could have been a “blurt-out”; a slip-up spurred by a moment in the haze of bright lights and intrusive cameras, it is difficult to excuse his indiscretion. But [...]
