The Supreme Court and national interest: The judiciary as a public-policy institution (2), by Usman Sarki
“The essence of federalism is full mutual consent.” — John Buchan Recalling Nigeria’s history in this discourse matters because the country is not an ordinary political community or mere contraption, as some advocates of restructuring erroneously imagine. It comprises peoples of deep consciousness, immense diversity in language, religion, culture, historical experience and political organisation, who […]
The abduction, death of Rabe Abubakar: A country without sense of shame, outrage, by Usman Sarki
“And as his genius was destitute of judgement, he attempted every art, except the important ones of war and government.” — Edward Gibbon on Emperor Gallienus Edward Gibbon judged him a most contemptible prince. The Roman Emperor Gallienus, son of the unfortunate Emperor Valerian, was said to have received with disturbing coldness the fate that befell […]
Can a country flourish without standards? By Usman Sarki
“The power of Rome was attended with some beneficial consequences to mankind; and the same freedom of intercourse which extended the vices, diffused likewise the improvements of social life,” Edward Gibbon Let me begin by stating that for the last forty years or so I have kept close to me the stupendous work of the great […]
Northern Nigeria beyond power: The imperative of internal renewal, by Usman Sarki
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic,” Peter F. Drucker The reactions generated by my recent article, “Northern Nigeria and an APC Second Term: Negotiation or Surrender?”, have been illuminating, thoughtful, and in many respects sobering. Among the responses received was a particularly frank intervention […]
Ali Baba and the forty thieves or the Nigerian political condition, by Usman Sarki
“Open Sesame, Open!” Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves In the folklore of the Middle East, as chronicled in the “One Thousand and One Nights Tales”, the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves has endured through generations as a parable of greed, deception and organised banditry. The story revolves around a secret vault hidden […]
Northern Nigeria and a likely APC government in 2027: Negotiation or surrender? (Part 2), by Usman Sarki
“Constant in nothing but inconstancy”— Marcus Aurelius In an earlier installment of this essay, we established the urgency of Northern Nigeria’s predicament and the necessity for strategic engagement. The logical next step is to define the principles upon which such engagement must rest. For without a clear doctrine guiding its political choices, the region will repeat […]
