THE Vice-Presidential debate was a fascinating opportunity to see and understand the philosophies of Nigeria’s two main political parties (APC and PDP). During one of the most commented upon segments, Peter Obi, the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate, criticised the rise of unemployment and the slump in Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, reinforcing his earlier remark: “fighting corruption is not an economic policy”.

IN Nigeria logic is constantly turned on its head, all to defend or excuse illegality. From the media to religious leaders, to judges and lawyers, virtually every sector which ought to fight for the common man’s rights, or to defend our democracy finds itself shielding those accused of corruption from investigation and prosecution, or representing their interests by aggressively upholding the status quo.

THE majority of Nigerians still haven’t learnt any lessons from the recession. If we had, we would be a lot more worried about the future, beyond the elections. Analysts say we are more than likely on the brink of another recession, irrespective of who wins the elections.

IN the 1980s and 1990s, in tandem with the disastrous structural adjustment policies (a major cause of global poverty), privatization stunted government’s capacity to deliver affordable services to a   generation of individuals who couldn’t afford public goods now only obtainable at supposed “market prices.”

CAMPAIGN season is officially upon us: there will be no shortage of populist sentiments making the rounds, as in 2011 when we were introduced to the tale of   the “boy without shoes”.   Like   Goodluck Jonathan before him, Atiku Abubakar has a tale of woe to convince the public he is “pro-people”: he grew up an orphan he says, selling firewood in Adamawa.