Oriire and the courage to reject compromise, by Rotimi Fasan
After 56 harrowing days, the 44 abductees in the Oriire community of Ogbomoso LGA are now out of the forest. These are schoolchildren and their teachers. Two of the teachers had been killed after the abduction while another was killed on their school ground. A commercial bike rider was also killed as the abduction unfolded. But […]
To be black, poor and vulnerable
THERE is so much else happening around Nigeria and the rest of the world that the focus on the activities, especially failures of Nigeria’s political leaders, seems obsessive. The tendency to concentrate on Nigeria betrays what might look like a mind-closing narcissism. But then, another look at the matter would reveal that in Nigeria so much, if not everything, is tied to politics
Between Buhari and Jonathan: A straight race to 2015
THE crowded field of presidential aspirants has been cleared up for a straight contest between two individuals, with the emergence of candidates for the two leading parties in the land, the APC and the PDP. The contest for Aso Rock Villa has come to a two horse race between Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan. The 14 February, Valentine’s Day presidential battle, will be far from being a lovers’ affair when the two combatants square up for action. If anything, it promises to be full of intrigues, surprises, suspense and a lot of tension.
Iweala’s economic recipe: Not austerity but panicky measures
THERE’S palpable panic if not fear in the land. For those who know, Nigeria is heading for an economic precipice that should get all of us truly worried and looking beyond the false hope being hawked around by the Goodluck Jonathan government. The price of crude oil, Nigeria’s one and only economic mainstay, is crashing with the rapidity of a pack of cards.
IG Abba Suleiman, Tambuwal and Jonathan
THIS may not be the best of times for the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman. He has been cast in what, I would imagine, is the unwanted role of chief enforcer for President Goodluck Jonathan, in his proxy war against Aminu Tambuwal. Why President Jonathan finds it difficult to come out openly against Aminu Tambuwal who, he obviously does not want to continue as Speaker of the House of Representatives, is a mystery only he can resolve. He wants to be seen as a democrat, no doubt.
Extension of emergency rule, Tambuwal and President Jonathan
If history is any guide, it almost always starts this way. Like a sick joke or high drama without an apparent plot, full of tension that nevertheless ends in tragedy. I am here talking of the violent attempt by the police to prevent Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, from entering the House last Thursday. The House had reconvened for an emergency session to consider the request by President Goodluck Jonathan for further six months extension of emergency rule in three North Eastern states at the epicentre of insurgent unrest. The Senate which had been in session for two days to consider the same request by President Jonathan, prior to the incident at the House of Representatives, had failed to reach any agreement. Although no less tension-filled, matters had been better managed at the Senate. It was in the House that things fell apart.
