Opinion

Rising Profile of Governor Seyi Makinde: A Possible Contender for 2027

Rising Profile of Governor Seyi Makinde: A Possible Contender for 2027

By Peter Fowoyo As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the political landscape is already shifting, with new alliances, zoning arrangements, and early calculations shaping the direction of the race. One figure whose name continues to dominate conversations within the opposition space is that of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Popularly known as GSM, the two-term governor has become one of the most formidable voices in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and, increasingly, a potential presidential contender. The recently concluded PDP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, which zoned the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the…
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OPINION: Two Years After October 7, Why Can’t Israel Defeat Hamas?

OPINION: Two Years After October 7, Why Can’t Israel Defeat Hamas?

By Kabir Taneja A mere two months away from the second anniversary of Hamas's brutal terror strike against Israel, in which hundreds died while many others were taken hostage - and who continue to remain in captivity - Tel Aviv has used this war as an opportunity to reshape its strategic architecture for the long term. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has called it his country's "seven-front war" and has mobilised militarily to reshape and re-stack the country's long-standing border infractions with not just the likes of Hamas and Hezbollah, but beyond as well, as highlighted by the joint US-Israel…
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With Ambassadors Like KWAM 1…

With Ambassadors Like KWAM 1…

By SHEDDY OZOENE I’m not one of those impatient Nigerians nagging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his refusal—two years after assuming office—to appoint ambassadors for our foreign missions. The man clearly knows something we don’t. Our foreign missions, despite being headless, are not collapsing. In fact, the embassies are even more vibrant without those tie-wearing “Your Excellencies” burning our dollars in diplomatic cocktails. Besides, the President himself has been serving well as our Ambassador-in-Chief, shaking hands across continents, attending trade exhibitions, arranging future Nigerian settlements in Japan, and signing MOUs in Brasilia. With his kind of do-it-yourself presidential hustle, who…
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Oyo APC Members Accuse Adelabu Of Favouring Accord Party Members

Oyo APC Members Accuse Adelabu Of Favouring Accord Party Members

By Tunde Gbadamosi As the race towards the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, there is growing concern in the Oyo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC). The once domineering party in the Pace Setter State is already looking in tatters with many leaders of the party being sidelined from federal appointments as well as excised from the party's activities. The genesis of the APC problem in Oyo State is the appointment of Adegoke Adelabu as Minister of Power. Adelabu, it could be recalled, left APC and contested the Oyo State Governorship election under the Accord Party's platform in 2023.…
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The Minority Question: Between Geography And Mathematics

The Minority Question: Between Geography And Mathematics

By Abdullah Dan'azumi Mohammed Golkos There is no location anywhere that is neither bound by Geography nor defined by it. Likewise, there is no individual anywhere whose location cannot be precisely described through geographical position systems using the latitude and the longitude zones which in turn govern space and time. Like location to Geography, so also are numbers as qualifying and quantifying objects to groups or objects. While the former is definitive of space intertwined with time, the latter is a subjective term based on prevailing circumstances which, unlike Geography, are subject to changes in which the minority elsewhere, somewhere…
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Is It The End Of Godfatherism In Enugu State?

Is It The End Of Godfatherism In Enugu State?

By SHEDDY OZOENE The second anniversary of Peter Mbah’s tenure as governor of Enugu State was significant in many ways. There was a certain uniqueness with the celebrations but the most noteworthy is the fact that it was attended by his predecessor in office, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. It is the first time such was being recorded in the state in this Fourth Republic. It is also remarkable because it signified that the governor has maintained a cordial relationship with his predecessor since assumption of office 2 years earlier. Before then, on his 61st birthday last March 20, Governor Mbah not only…
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COALITION PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: Open Letter To Atiku Abubakar

COALITION PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: Open Letter To Atiku Abubakar

BY ABRAHAM OGBODO Dear Waziri, Last week, I ended on a hopeful note. That, it is possible to dispatch Caesar for Rome to remain a real Republic. I added that the conspirators would only need to bring on board, a Brutus to strengthen the conspiracy beyond collapse. I promised also to do you a personal letter to explain better. I am therefore writing today to inform you that you are the Brutus that must come on board to give oxygen to the conspiracy to take out the Emperor on the ides of 2027. You may not strictly fit into the…
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Are Women Truly Weaker Vessels?

Are Women Truly Weaker Vessels?

By OREVA GODWIN I know, the first instinct of most of my dearest readers, in reaction to the question of whether women are weaker vessels may be in the affirmative. After all, the Bible calls women the "weaker vessel." But today, I want to challenge that idea and to postulate that women are not inherently weak. Rather, they’ve been programmed to be seen as weak, so they don't rise to compete with men. When did God call women weaker vessels? Never. The Creator has never called them weak. Why? Because we were all made in His image and likeness, and…
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Southern Solidarity for Tinubu: Which South, What Solidarity?

Southern Solidarity for Tinubu: Which South, What Solidarity?

By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI One of the absurdities of Nigeria’s pseudo-democracy is the fact that those clamouring for President Bola Tinubu’s second term are not flaunting his achievements. Instead, the battle cry is the need for him to complete his “constitutionally guaranteed” two terms of eight years, not minding that there is no such guarantee in the 1999 Constitution. The more sophisticated amongst them are blackmailing the country with the rotational presidency arrangement between the north and south. They insist that since Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, was president for eight years, then a southerner must be accorded the same privilege. And…
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KWAM 1, Eccentricity And Cult Of The Big Man

KWAM 1, Eccentricity And Cult Of The Big Man

FESTUS ADEDAYO At the risk of being labeled thanatophobic - a preoccupation with death or its anxiety - the grim reality is that, last Tuesday, Nigeria’s music world would have lost veteran Yoruba Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde. Being Muslim, it is in order to say the man popularly known as KWAM 1 would have been buried same Tuesday or early Wednesday. He would have been killed over a mere tiff with an airline official over allegation of carrying liquour on board an aircraft. There is no grimmer way of putting the potential calamity than this. It is a signpost of…
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