THE House of Representatives has distinguished itself with the regular resort to the fist in resolving matters. This has become more regular since the life of the present assemblage in June 2007.

AT the anniversary of the 1100th day in office of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos, diplomats who were part of the occasion brought up the deplorable condition of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Criminals know these are empty threats. Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Emmanuel Ayoola, a retired Supreme Court Justice, while flagging off what he called “one million-man rally” of the National Anti-Corruption Volunteers Corps in Owerri contributed to the empty words.

FOR the second year running, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership, has announced no winner for the Mo Ibrahim Prize.

WHEN therefore Malam told his NIDOA audience in New Jersey that the success of his administration has been a philosophical commitment “guided by the universal principles of Shari’a which enjoin good governance in the running of the affairs of the state”, he was essentially outlining the basic difference between the Kano model of moral leadership and contending models. What underlines the social contract between the Nigerian masses and their leaders?

STATISTICS about gas flaring in Nigeria and its impact on the environment are staggering. Just like with oil spills, governments have set deadlines for oil companies to stop the damage to lives and the environment to no results.

We witnessed the slow poisoning of the waters of this country and the destruction of vegetation and agricultural land by oil spills, which occur during petroleum operations.

The welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:- Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution

AFTER years of playing sick politics with the Second Niger Bridge, the Federal Government seems to have decided to get serious with it. The new Minister of Works, Senator Sanusi Daggash, has spent quite some time touring the dilapidated federal roads in the South East zone and giving ultimatums for the contractors handling the repairs to expedite action.

AFTER years of playing sick politics with the Second Niger Bridge, the Federal Government seems to have decided to get serious with it.

THE Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has spoken against the wasteful budgeting of N10 billion for the 50th Independence anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

OPTIMISMS about vast changes the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would ensure, do not reflect an understanding of the challenges of Nigeria’s electoral process.

This was even more profound given the fact that the rival National Republican Convention (NRC) had a more balanced ticket of Alhaji Bashir Tofa as presidential candidate and Dr Sylvester Ugoh as his running mate. Abiola won in all parts of the country, which indicated that Nigerians also eschewed ethnic, tribal and religious sentiments in making their choice.

WHAT impact would the Eagles make at the World Cup in South Africa? These concerns remain genuine and inform the pressure the Eagles face as they take on two-time champion Argentina.

IN recent times, there have been calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to scrap the grants it gives to registered political parties. The National Assembly appears to be moving in the direction of amending the constitution to remove the clauses that enjoin the Commission to give out these grants.