Ultimately, 2027 must not be about North versus South, or Fulani versus Ijaw or Igbo, or APC versus PDP versus ADC. It must be about results. It must be a test of leadership, competence, and empathy.”— Dakuku Peterside “2027: Battle for the Soul of the North”  It really doesn’t take too much to be objective if […]

When US President, Donald J Trump, released a barrage of scorching, uncomplimentary posts on his social media handles about Nigeria over the weekend, his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, nearly fell into a trap. There were calls from some quarters that he should “engage” Trump, rather than let loose his propaganda officials. We started hearing that he […]

The Presidential System of Government The American form of Presidential System of Government, currently being experimented by Nigeria, is too expensive for our resources to conveniently accommodate. It is high time we faced the reality of our existence. Having regard to the history of America as stated earlier and the resources of U.S.A. American Presidential System […]

Memories can serve some useful lessons but sometimes can also drive one through the path of forlornness. The brighter ones are very redeeming and can shine light into the heart of darkness. Shakespeare viewed memory as a “powerful, double-edged force, capable of both preserving cherished moments and holding onto pain.” Yes, memories can serve up both […]

With President Donald Trump designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), and within 24 hours of that designation putting his so-called War Department on notice to invade the country should Abuja fail to execute his orders, can Nigerian Christians, as they were urged by Mr. Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, […]

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 […]

Public activism works best when it targets clear problems and pushes for practical fixes. The pardon-list reversal showed this. People asked simple questions—who was consulted, what rules were used, and how victims were protected—and kept asking until the process changed. That same approach can change many other parts of public life if we focus our energy and […]

“To get lost is to find the way”- African proverb. I admit entertaining some doubt over the authenticity of US President Trump’s first tweet announcing that he had set in motion the process of classifying Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, again. The bit that confused me was the reference to Nigerian Christians as ‘our Christians’. […]

Why Nigerian budgets often fail “Whatever a man prays for, he prays for a miracle; every prayer reduces itself to this; Great God, grant that twice two be not four.” Ivan Turgenev, 1818-1883 VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ p 198.  No Federal or, as far as I know, state budget since 1999 has been successfully implemented as […]

The images of the police taking on demonstrators in the streets of  Tanzania and Cameroun, following disputed elections,  remind me of the first time I was battered by policemen. I was 17 and had gone to the Kings Cinema on Lewis street, Lagos Island. After the film, my friend, Albert Biodun Okopie and I were, […]

Among the doctrines that underpin the legal process in Nigeria, few are as profound and pervasive as judicial independence, but no doctrine in the ecosystem of the law rivals its elusiveness.

In 2018, I wrote an article about the death of Ochanya Ogbaji after many years of abuse at the hands of her Uncle, his son, and her Aunt who acted as an enabler. Due to the huge outcry when it happened, I had hoped that Ochanya would get justice and her death would not be in […]

Brethren, we are welcome to the 11th month.   Gradually, the year we started together is winding down.   It has come with its ups and downs but the fact that you and I are still standing is an assurance that God still has us in mind. In other words, with God on our side, it doesn’t matter […]

‘Excellence in…’ This is the title of a book I started to work on about fifteen months ago. The outline is still being worked out before filling the pages. Work on it has been slowed down because the year started with three book projects about three eminent Nigerians. The three are among the dozen or so […]

The advantage which democracy supposedly has over all other forms of government is its inclination to guarantee the politics of equality. As a matter of fact, it is in a democracy that several freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of association etc. are usually found. That is why democracy is generally hailed as the […]