On December 14 1991, governorship elections were held in all the states of the federation. The conduct was generally hitch-free, but the result of the election in one state-Edo- was nullified by the relevant election tribunal. The tribunal took the decision having convinced itself that the election was adversely affected by undue influence occasioned by a political broadcast by a Benin Chief alleging that the Oba of Benin had directed his people to vote for the eventual winner. Although the Court of Appeal later reversed the nullification, it became a moot point in Nigeria’s electoral history that partisanship by otherwise neutral royal fathers could serve as undue influence in an election.

Analysis of promotions in the army between January 15 and July 28, 1966, as documented in official records and well-researched historical sources, demonstrates that Ironsi was fair to all parts of the country. Allegation that he refused to punish Nzeogwu and others implicated and detained for the January coup because most of them were Igbo cannot be sustained; it is a mischievous falsehood peddled by half-baked historians to justify the senseless and bloodthirsty revenge coup of July 29, 1966.

No doubt, women are gradually taking their place in virtually every walk of life -be it medical, banking, aviation, military, para-military, journalism, engineering, to mention but few. Yes, it is inspiring to see the ‘modern’ woman be economically empowered, but what if the demands of these jobs become a thorn in the flesh of the home, resulting in defective family units and ill-bred children? From every nook and corner of the Nigerian society, it is glaring that the home is suffering from a sort of kwashiorkor only a fusion of proper family values can cure!

I don’t know about you,but Nigeria is in a perpetual state of ignominy. We honour and fete the corrupt and the criminals, and then we punish the hard working and good people in Nigeria. Ever wonder why people think it does not pay to be good in Nigeria and why people think we all at it? Any wonder why it does not pay to be good at the same time we profess that we are godly and yet we serve ourselves and not others.

The futility of a National Conference of any kind was very clearly described by none other than Senator David Mark, President of the Senate, recently. It was consistent with his normal views readily expressed on previous occasions. It made good sense.

Last Tuesday’s Sallah would have been celebrated by all — Christians, Muslims and Ifa worshipers—in the Yoruba kingdom. That is how it had always been done. And that is how, if our politicians don’t mess things up, it should always be done.

When market women took to the streets to protest the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike which has lingered for about four months now, it portrayed a very dangerous signal. Many wondered which of the parties involved in the face-off mobilised the market women, but I tell you, they needed nobody to mobilise them.

Languishing in the perennial traffic snarl-ups in Lagos provides ample opportunity for all manner of reflection. And as I surveyed the chaos of motorists jockeying belligerently for position around me, I recalled a mundane but enlightening incident I encountered not very long ago overseas.

When Governor Peter Obi reclaimed the mandate given to him by the people of AnambraState, all the good people of the state rejoiced and celebrated. Unfortunately,People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state house of assembly contrived an impeachment proceeding to truncate the young administration that had barely settled down to govern the state. Many were amazed at the audacity with which the house was going about its impeachment threat.

It doesn’t matter how wide a gate is, the people in charge more often than not, make it narrow; intentionally. I’ve never understood the logic behind it. You have two thoroughfares, clearly marked IN and OUT to aid the easy flow of traffic and to some extent improve the security situation but no, the current Nigerian way is to slow things down…complicate things… .