Talking Point

When adult petulance becomes a campaign strategy, by Rotimi Fasan

When adult petulance becomes a campaign strategy, by Rotimi Fasan

Considering the reaction of the main opposition parties’ leaders to the Independence Day speech of President Bola Tinubu, I think I’m beginning to see the lineaments of the campaign for the 2027 general election. The shape the campaigns would take is getting clear. This is why I’m returning once again to a theme I have […]
Visible Articles 5 10 15
The Customs, Hameed Ali and the Nigerian Senate

The Customs, Hameed Ali and the Nigerian Senate

IT’S not everyday Nigerians get to read about the Nigeria Customs Service even when personnel of the agency in the course of their corrupt, illicit activities, are often to be seen in many of our major towns and cities.

Donald Trump’s travel ban: When does a country respond?

Donald Trump’s travel ban: When does a country respond?

THERE have been a series of unfortunate events involving Nigerians abroad in the last couple of weeks. From South Africa where Nigerians were made victims of xenophobic attacks to the United States of America where Nigerians with valid visas were prevented from entering the country, the story has been the same: the undeserved humiliation of Nigerians and the seeming unconcern of the Nigerian government to the plight of her citizens.

Buhari, Nnamdi Kanu and Ibrahim El Zakzaky

Buhari, Nnamdi Kanu and Ibrahim El Zakzaky

IF there is one area in which the Buhari administration has consistently showed itself up as politically unsophisticated and fallen short of democratic values, it is in its handling of issues bordering on human rights. The administration has generally demonstrated a high level of unresponsiveness and disinterest in matters concerning individuals, groups and sections of the country it does not agree with.

Osinbajo and the demand of leadership

Osinbajo and the demand of leadership

IT’S been more than one month now since Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, assumed the status of Acting President. Even when this is not the first time he would be holding forth for the president, it is the first time he would be doing it for this long. Except in an actual state of incapacitation it is doubtful if anyone could envisage a situation like this when the president would be away from office for over a month without being declared ill or incapacitated. But by embarking on a medical vacation which has been indefinitely extended on the advice , Nigerians have been told, of his British doctors President Buhari has afforded his deputy an opportunity to demonstrate what he could do if given the chance. Before now, Osinbajo had operated in the shadows of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is the way things should be as the presidential system of government is a monarchy of sorts that does not leave room for two heads.

Medical vacations and presidential pilgrims

Medical vacations and presidential pilgrims

Is it not enough that the president is away on a medical vacation that could be costing the country so much in scarce foreign exchange even when we are being told that nothing is wrong with him?