ELECTIONS: Nigeria is still pursuing shadows, by Tonnie Iredia
In less than 4 months from now, Nigeria will hold its 2027 general elections; yet, not many would believe the assurances by the electoral body that the process will be free and fair. No one can blame the doubting Thomases because the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is notorious for not keeping its word. Just […]
Crocodile tears in Benin
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President of Nigeria lived in the Presidential Villa for 4 years (1999-2003) in the first instance. While seeking reelection in 2003, he left his residence in Abuja for his home in Abeokuta to vote. Could that be a sign of ethnic jingoism?
PDP: Big for what?
Some few years back, a bosom friend who wanted to get into partisan politics after retiring from the Federal Public Service pleaded with me to sleep over the subject and come up with the most suitable political party for him. I promptly replied that he had no option but to pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – the only national political party in Nigeria. Of course until the recent merger arrangements by some groupings, every other Nigerian political party always operated like a small regional party. For me, my friend was too big to swim in any of the little streams when a big river was available.
How to resolve the ASUU/Government conflict
Like an anniversary celebration, this year’s edition of the annual closure of Nigerian Universities began on Tuesday July 01, 2013. As usual, no one knows when it will end. Indeed, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Dr Nasir Fagge says members of the Union are resolute that, only a complete resolution of the issues at stake would bring the current strike action to an end.
2015 elections in Nigeria may fail
On Saturday June 29, 2013, an election was held in Oguta constituency of Imo State. The umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it could not declare a winner because the contest was inconclusive. This time around, those who are usually fast at commending the Jega led INEC have been a bit cautious. The truth however is that INEC has never performed above average.
Does President Jonathan have supporters in the sky?
Considering that Africans have come to be known as people who prefer to associate with a ruling political party, there is no need to dispute the claim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is the largest political party in Africa. These days, it is becoming clearer that the party is set to clinch another title-the party with the largest number of Nigerians in the diaspora.
