Politics

By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI As an Igbo, ever mindful of the country’s chequered political history, when the news filtered in on Saturday that former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, a scion of the Muslim North and major opposition politician, had been whisked away from the venue of the Odenigbo Lecture in Owerri, my first reaction was, not again. For maximum effect, the story added that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, was cautioned by the protesters. Not again because of the irascibility of Nigerian politicians and the herd mentality of their minions.…

By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI The conduct of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the public space is quite unbecoming. It is not enough to dismiss him as unhinged as many are wont to do because to do so is to ignore the fact that for whatever it is worth, he is a Nigerian political elite, a member of the privileged club that makes the authoritative allocation of our collective values. In any sane society, such privileged position demands some level of politesse and dignity in public conduct. But the reverse is the case here. Wike’s actions, at any given…

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…

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…

BY ABRAHAM OGBODO It is too early to worry about the coalition to fight Tinubu in 2027. Even if the lion is ensnarled, you do not approach it with bare hands. You give all the benefits of doubt and go very prepared for any eventuality. When the coalition was announced some weeks ago, there was some breathe of relief across the land. This was, however, not in the air-tight assurance that the days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President could now be counted. It was more in the feeling that a ferocious tiger was being released into the jungle to…

By SHEDDY OZOENE The formation of a coalition of opposition elements in Nigeria has sparked off a wave of political activities as the general elections of 2027 draw closer. Led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Senate President David Mark, the coalition is built around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has emerged as a potential vehicle for a unified opposition platform.  The key drivers of the coalition have not minced words about what their mission is: to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress…

BY ABRAHAM OGBODO . The one that is already in and seated is called APC. The one that is outside and itching to be admitted to unseat the one that is seated is called ADC. The difference is in the displacement and replacement of letters P and D. On the surface, this distinction lacks the firmness to affect a clear choice. This means that either of the entities can go or stay, and nothing significant will be lost in content. It is the same as saying that if, per adventure, ADC replaces APC in 2027, it will look like replacing…

FESTUS ADEDAYO Power politics in the animal kingdom could be as intense, deceptive and selfish as it is in the human kingdom. An ancient African allegory whose patent cannot be credited to a particular tradition, illustrates this. It is the fable of an old forest warhorse, the lion. After years of feasting on animals, his mane soaked in their innocent blood, Old Lion became too senescent to haunt for games. Stricken with old age, diverse infirmities and unable to put food on his own table, the King decided to get food by subterfuge and trickery. Always by himself and soaked…

BY ABRAHAM OGBODO There are a few idiomatic expressions around the Catholic Church and the Pope. And that is because the Catholic institutions have endured long enough to constitute part of global folklores. For instance, when cause and reaction are disproportional, there is a description for it that touches on Catholicism and the Pontiff. This is when the man or woman involved is advised not to be more Catholic than the Pope. Listeners will understand at once that the fellow is seeking to be more concerned than he or she that is actually concerned in the matter under review. The…