Umahi: How Mary, not Habila, destroyed a powerful senator, by Emmanuel Aziken
It was not merely the accident at Chappaquiddick that destroyed Senator Ted Kennedy’s lifelong ambition of becoming President of the United States. It was Mary. Mary Jo Kopechne. She was the young woman who died after Kennedy’s car plunged from a narrow bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in July 1969. Kennedy escaped from the submerged vehicle, but he […]
Between Natasha’s defiance and Fubara’s docility, by Emmanuel Aziken
Two strong disruptions to Nigeria’s democratic flow in March 2025 were seemingly repaired recently with the dramatic restoration of Governor Siminilayi Fubara to the helm of affairs in Rivers State and the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate after months of suspension. On the surface, both restorations may appear as victories for democracy, yet when […]
A Governor In Chains, by Emmanuel Aziken
Yesterday’s return to Port Harcourt of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the quiet stealing away of the sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), are two poignant dents on the nation’s democracy. How the country progresses from here will undoubtedly define the character of the democracy Nigeria practises. Remarkably, some have praised President Bola Tinubu for not extending […]
Tinubu, Shettima and the Vice-Presidential curse, by Emmanuel Aziken
President Bola Tinubu’s recent dismissal of Fegho Umunubo, his Special Assistant on Digital and Creative Economy who worked directly under Vice President Kashim Shettima, has triggered a fresh wave of speculation about the power dynamics inside Aso Rock. To many observers, the terse announcement that came from the president’s office, rather than the vice president’s, is another […]
Jonathan’s Betrayal And Tinubu’s Untold Prison Experience, by Emmanuel Aziken
President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe share a political kinship born in adversity. Both began their rise from the shadows as deputy governors with little influence under powerful principals. Oghiadomhe, widely believed to have been chosen at the instance of the late Rear Admiral Mike Akhigbe, served as deputy to Governor Lucky Igbinedion in Edo State. […]
From Pitch to Politics: War-torn Sudan’s 4-0 thrashing reveals Nigeria’s deeper rot, by Emmanuel Aziken
How war-torn Sudan, a country in the grip of two power-hungry generals, thrashed Nigeria 4-0 in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) underlines the deeper challenges that have stymied the development of Africa’s most populous country. Just as Nigeria is blessed with football talent, boasting arguably the highest number of professional footballers from the continent playing across […]
