THOSE of us who declared the National Dialogue soon to be convened by President Goodluck Jonathan as a jamboree might be justified after all. The Monday, December 9, 2013 issue of Vanguard gave an insight into what we are to expect in the coming few weeks.

How do you define Nelson Mandela?
It is only when you do so that you are able to answer the question whether Nigerian Mandela is possible. Nelson Rolihlalala Mandela, the first president of democratic South Africa finally bowed to the superior argument of death as all mortals must last week Thursday, December 5, 2013. He was renowned for so many inspiring statements and speeches both before and after he went to jail, came out, climbed into the presidency and bequeathed a stable and prosperous country to posterity.

A NEW debate has broken out as to whether the Boko Haram insurgency has assumed the status of a civil war. Way back in April 2012, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, had described it as “more dreadful than a civil war”.

When a major political event like the defection of the rebellious members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, takes place, it is easy to get confused. When confusion sets in, you will see people who should be sober or suspicious rejoicing as though they have won a major trophy.

It is a great misnomer to call the joining of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by the G.7 and other rebel PDP members two days ago a “merger”. It was more of a defection. The difference between these two political expressions is clear.