Only 3 days ago, Nigerians crossed over to a new year from one that was characterized by lies, deceit and self-denial. Historians would no doubt remember the year as one where fake patriots denied, all year through, the obvious vanishing life of their nation.

Nigerians, who once a while, wonder why the rest of the world hardly comes to our aid even in times of danger often lose sight of the fact that we are to a large extent, a wealthy nation. Other countries are aware that we have enough to meet all our needs. At least, we are better placed to meet our needs than many other countries.

The grave impact which insurgency has had on the nation this year, may make many Nigerians think of nothing else that marks year 2014. But there are associated developments that would also go down in history as monumental. Incessant jailbreaks across the country would no doubt be one of them. If we are lucky to have no new cases before the year runs out in a couple days, we can then say we had no less than 5 breaks during the year.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC)-the two major Nigerian political parties have concluded their primaries to select flag bearers for the 2015 general elections. While many analysts have bothered about the appropriateness of the use of “consensus” or the role of money in the high-wire tension-soaked political process, the focus of this piece, is on political succession against the backdrop of a tradition where leaders often worked against their immediate aides at elections. Before the recently concluded primaries, there were strong indications that President Goodluck Jonathan would sacrifice his deputy, Namadi Sambo. Many had thought that as part of negotiating his way through the many booby traps, the President might be pressured to pick a new Vice, just to calm some frayed nerves. It is a great sign of dexterity that he did not do that. While commending him for the approach, it is hoped that if he is re-elected, he would hold-on to that level of matured leadership while selecting his aides and cabinet.

“Senate President David Mark is scared”. That was the title of a media report that caught my attention the other day. I could not immediately fathom what could scare the nation’s 3rd most powerful citizen until I read the story. It was only then I realized that despite the immense power of his office characterized by his retinue of aides as well as his background as a former military commander, there is not much difference between Senator Mark and my defenceless self who can shiver merely because the end of the year’s harmattan season when everywhere is cold has set in.