A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Since the death of many Nigerians in the post-election riots of last month, the media have been replete with reports on the subject. The figures being published for those affected are quite disturbing.
Read MoreIt is gratifying to know that the great United States of America was among the first nations that commended the Nigerian elections of 2011. Yes it makes sense that they did so. First, America like me is a supporter of President Jonathan. Second and more importantly, as my good friend Kolade forcibly argued, Americans do not really care about wobbled elections provided the process produces a winner as shown by the funny election which made George W. Bush, their President. The excellent one that brought Obama cannot happen all the time.
Read MoreWhen social scientists of the Elite theory persuasion contend that society can best be understood through the preferences of the wealthy and privileged class, they merely underscore the fact that other groups particularly the masses are inconsequential. According to one of them-Thomas Dye-the masses of the population are inept, docile, dormant and always seeking direction and guidance.
Read MoreAs a young TV news reporter many years ago, one public officer I had to cover extensively was by name, Mr. John James, Commissioner of Police in the then Midwest State. One of my colleagues hypothesized then that the man was not likely to be a Nigerian because he had two English names.
Read MoreRiots which normally follow the release of election results in Nigeria are obviously condemnable for several reasons. In the first place, rioting is an illegal method of protesting the outcome of an election because it normally leads to loss of lives and property. The riots which followed the presidential election of Saturday, April 16, 2011, were particularly destructive.
Read MoreBy Tonnie Iredia On April 20, 2010, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, at a public forum made the following statement: “If we are to be honest with ourselves, we have not been fair to the Niger-Delta… The Niger- Delta has been producing the funds with which we have been running
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In some countries, political debates are often cumbersome to undertake. Nigeria is one of such countries because candidates in a Nigerian election are usually too many to engage in any meaningful debate. For Presidential elections alone, there were five candidates in 1979; six in 1983; 20 in 2003; 23 in 2007 and 19 this year. Nigeria has thus maintained a funny history of Presidential debates deviating from the envisaged format of diametrically-opposed viewpoints being canvassed at a time for meaningful comparison.
Read MoreRecent media reports that officials of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are under pressure to do wrong should be a source of worry to many people, especially at this eve of general elections.
Read MoreThe transmission of partisan information through the electronic media which is generally referred to as political broadcast involves several materials. These range from political party manifestos, slogans, jingles, emblems and election promises. The significance of political broadcasts is that they offer opportunities to all political parties to publicise their manifestos and other party activities.
Read MoreAccording to media reports, there are hundreds of unresolved election cases concerning next month’s general elections in the country. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appears to be the hardest hit by the development following the claim by its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, that no fewer than 150 pre-election cases had been filed against it nationwide by aggrieved politicians.
Read MoreSince a couple of days back when the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, made public his threat to frustrate the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill, many people have reacted violently against him. I don’t think they know what Abba-Aji is capable of doing. For me, I have chosen to fervently beg him not to carry out his threat in view of the pedigree of his ingenuity.
Read MorePioneer African nationalist leaders who fought for independence were no doubt gallant agitators but they certainly were not democrats. What they sought after was power not democracy.
Read MoreOn November 28, 2010, a rerun presidential election was held in Cote d’Ivoire between the incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo and his challenger, Mr. Alassane Ouattara. The Electoral Commission proclaimed the opposition candidate, the winner with 54.1 per cent of the vote.
Read MoreWe have quite a large number of people in this country who are permanently cynical. They never see anything good about government and its agencies. Many of them belong to one of my constituencies- the media.
Read MoreWe have quite a large number of people in this country who are permanently cynical. They never see anything good about government and its agencies.
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