But the more insidious factor is that for the first time in the political history of Nigeria, the electoral umpire has individuals intimately connected to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari occupying powerful, sensitive positions. Buhari appointed them shortly after he assumed power in May 2015.

IT has been nearly 20 years since a group of armed militants masquerading as “herdsmen” set up camps in the Plateau region, systematically planning and attacking indigenous communities. In spite of all efforts by successive regimes at the Federal and state levels, the Plateau killings have continued unabated.

When the story broke on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 that a team of policemen led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP David Dominic, stormed the home of nonagenarian and Ijaw/South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, apparently in search of arms and ammunition, it was generally seen as part of the growing tendency of the Police and security agencies to target opposition leaders for harassment.

THERE are worrisome indications that the National Assembly might shift the resumption date of the Senate and House of Representatives three weeks ahead from its scheduled Tuesday, 25th September to 15th October 2018. This is to enable members to participate in the primaries which will determine the fates of all political contenders in 2019.

It was a sober reminder to a country that so easily forgets that it has an unfinished business to secure her freedom like the rest of the 105 victims who were on March 21, 2018 returned by Boko Haram fighters to Dapchi in a dramatic fashion after holding them for 30 days. Boko Haram held on to Miss Sharibu because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.