It is generally believed that the year 2015 would mean different period to several people both in Nigeria and friendly countries. However, to the local politicians, especially the Opposition, it is the year of ‘change‘. The pessimists think otherwise – the year 2015 will signify the doom of the country.

The good news about Nigeria is that life is never dull – there are always moments of drama and fun. The movement of the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakir from the Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) has been described by Atiku as normal in Nigeria‘s political evolution. It should be recalled with considerable amusement that the former Vice-President is not new in the game of seeking political green pastures. Perhaps, he is an adept in such a game of political opportunism. Who would not seek the prime political prize in a country where ‘everything goes‘?

The good news about Nigeria is that life is never dull – there are always moments of drama and fun. The movement of the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakir from the Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) has been described by Atiku as normal in Nigeria‘s political evolution. It should be recalled with considerable amusement that the former Vice-President is not new in the game of seeking political green pastures. Perhaps, he is an adept in such a game of political opportunism. Who would not seek the prime political prize in a country where ‘everything goes‘?

Many optimists who are just chewing before digesting the beautiful economic blueprint (adorned in its elegant presentation with unassailable statistical figures) by the Finance Manager and Minister for Economic Co-ordination (what a romantic name!), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her answer to the 50 Questions raised by members of the House of Representatives might be a bit confused on another story about the danger facing the economy.

As last week was closing with the news of the sorrowful departure of the Peoples‘ Democratic Party‘s (PDP) Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, the new week has brought the pleasing news of a new Chairman, Adamu M‘uazu, a former Governor of Bauchi State. This is a credit to PDP Party for saving Nigerians the horror of witnessing a long drawn battle with the dire consequences of a fractured political party.

THE reality of the Nigerian situation has remained an enigma as the Nigerian people themselves. It is a fact that the many nations that had inhabited a lovely and naturally endowed plain called Nigeria in the past one hundred years are yet to understand themselves to actually evolve as one nation.

NIGERIANS are now familiar with the regular arguments between the supporters of the present Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan and the known antagonists represented by the Opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and other ordinary, but well-meaning Nigerians. The argument is always on the “The State of the Nation”.

It is happy news that the New Year 2014 has brought its freshness into an atmosphere contaminated by the foul saga of letter-writing that pervaded the last few weeks of last year, 2013.

As repeated in this column many times, the country‘s problems are many, varied, complex and fundamental. And like the United States of America‘s balance of payments, would always end in fundamental disequilibrium. The main reason is that as a watchdog of the world, its foreign exchange expenditure is always more than the surplus on its balance of trade.

IT is a matter of fact that the great statesman is gone, and gone also with all his attributes recognized throughout the world. Never in African history has such array of dignitaries (including 91 Heads of governments) ever assembled in African soil to honour a departed soul. The other great African, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana became dictatorial in his last days before he was ousted in a coup organized by his country’s military adventurers.

Events in the last two weeks have moved so fast and quite dramatic that only stable and experienced minds could catch up with such dynamic pace.  However, the political dictionary has been enriched by strange words like ‘inconclusive‘ and ‘supplementary‘ elections and the ‘merging‘ of G7 Governors with APC.  It was also the time to […]

There is little doubt that the year 2014 would mean different things to different people at different times and on different occasions. However, one fact remains unchanged: the year 2014 reminds us of the amalgamation of Southern and Northern Provinces in 1914 by the British to form the present Nigeria.

Since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Provinces in 1914 of a ‘geographical expression‘ called Nigeria, various ways have been devised by imperialist Britain and later, by Nigerians to forge unity out of diversity. The desired political unity has become elusive and far, as Kaura Namoda (North) is to Arindiziogu (East) of Nigeria. It is, however interesting to note that the search for natural unity continues unabated.

It has been observed that not much good news have greeted President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan since his return from the Holy Pilgrimage to Israel. The Boko Haram insurgents‘ struck in Bama (Borno) killing about 30 people and also in Maiduguri where an unfortunate groom was among the numerous victims after a wedding ceremony. It is unfortunate to have such bad news when ‘ODUAGATE‘ (coined by the mischievous media to describe the purchase of armored vehicles) is fastly receding into its characteristic Nigerian base.

In a fortnight dominated by what looks like official corruption (purchase of two armored vehicles at a prohibitive cost of about N250 million), the successful pilgrimage of the President, Goodluck Jonathan to Israel appears a welcome relief. It is appropriate to pray for the sins of Nigeria at many consecrated and holy places, especially at the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem.