Crossing the red line by the Opposition and Government(3), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative on the 1959 elections, the nation-wide campaigns and the accusations and counter- accusations by rival party leaders of infractions by supporters of other parties. For instance, Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida had said that Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his supporters had violated Northern traditions, for which they would never be […]
The ever-lingering Benue-Plateau crisis (5), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative on the various suggestions made by LinkedIn on resolving community conflicts with reference to the lingering crisis in Benue-Plateau. The fourth step to resolving a community conflict is to negotiate and agree on a solution or a plan of action. You need to evaluate and compare the options generated […]
The ever-lingering Benue-Plateau crisis (4), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative on the Benue-Plateau crisis and the several means of finding amicable solutions to it. Benue and Plateau states have produced to date, the highest number of military officers, yet, their states have been terrorized by a tiny army of Fulani herdsmen for the past sixty years also. To the […]
The ever-lingering Benue-Plateau crisis (3), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative on the Benue-Plateau crisis and the influence of Chief Joseph Tarka in the politics of the then Middle Belt I was introduced to him by Alhaji Uba Ahmed sometimes in 1977, after which our friendship grew and lasted till, he died in a London hospital on March 30, 1980. Friendship between […]
The ever-lingering Benue-Plateau crisis(2), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative on the Benue-Plateau crisis based on early encounters with Chief Solomon Lar in Jos and Chief Joseph Tarka in Makurdi. I visited Makurdi for the first time in 1977, courtesy of Chief Joseph Sarwuan Tarka. On March 30, this year, it was 45 years that Chief Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (July […]
The ever-lingering Benue-Plateau crisis, by Eric Teniola
I saw Mr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (60), the governor of Plateau State, a lawyer-banker and former Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of the state, lamenting on television over herdsmen invasion of his state. The governor was almost in tears. It was the same with Mr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia (59) the governor of Benue State, who […]
The supreme powers of the President(8), by Eric Teniola
From last week concludes the narrative with the report of the Sub-committee on the Executive and Legislature of the Constitution Drafting Committee of 1975.The report defined how the powers of the Nigerian President could be operated. Their report is as follows: “In the deliberations of the Sub-Committee, what has been uppermost in our minds is how […]
The supreme powers of the President(7), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative that Nigeria’s adoption of the presidential system of government in 1979 created a monster as successive presidents since then serially abused the power vested in them by the Constitution, including using their presidential powers to rig election to their favour and that of their cronies. The saying “power corrupts, […]
The supreme powers of the President(6), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the text of the nationwide broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan defending his declaration on May 14, 2013 of a state of emergency in three states: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe following worsening insurgency by terrorists groups in the states. We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity […]
The supreme powers of the President(5), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative of how President Olusegun Obasanjo suspended Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State from office and dissolved the State House of Assembly following religious crisis in the state. He immediately appointed the former Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammed Chris Alli(rtd) (December 25, 1944 – November 19, 2023), as Administrator of […]
The supreme powers of the President(3), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative of how party supremacy has declined over the years with the President now calling the shot, ordering the party chairman around and can fire him at the slightest excuse. This is unlike what obtained during the NPN era when a caucus chaired by the party boss would take the […]
The supreme powers of the President(2), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative how President Obasanjo deployed his presidential powers to ensure that his chosen candidate, Chief Evan Enwerem was elected Senate President over Dr Chuba Okadigbo, the candidate of majority of senators. With the support of President Obasanjo’s allies in the ruling party, plus support from two opposition parties, AD and ANPP, […]
The supreme powers of the President, by Eric Teniola
Shortly after being sworn in as President on May 29,1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo (88) delayed signing the Proclamation of the first sitting of the National Assembly. The delay lasted a few days during which there was suspense. Subsection 3 of Section 64 of the 1999 Constitution states that: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, […]
Fifty years of Gowon’s overthrow(7), by Eric Teniola
From last week, this is the concluding narrative of General Yakubu Gowon’s many landmark achievements before his overthrow on July 30, 1975. These included the establishment of many companies with significant Federal Government shareholdings as well as the promulgation of the Indigenisation Decree. Also worthy of mention is the setting up of the National Youth Service […]
Fifty years of Gowon’s overthrow(6), by Eric Teniola
From last week, continues the narrative of General Yakubu Gowon’s many achievements before his overthrow on July 30, 1975. Of particular reference is the establishment of many companies with significant Federal Government shareholdings. Unfortunately only few of these companies are still operating or existing today. In the domestic front, there were bodies like the National Bank […]
Fifty years of Gowon’s overthrow(4), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the coup speech by Brigadier-General Murtala Ramat Mohammed following the overthrow of General Yakubu Gowon on July 30, 1975. The speech underlined details of why the Gowon regime was overthrown and the way forward for the country under the new regime. It was obvious that matters could not, and should not, be […]
