NYSC Kidnap Story: Burden Of Public Trust

 By Tonnie Iredia

Twenty (20) prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on their way to the Southeast for orientation and service year were kidnapped on October 1, 2026. Following their release some 6 days later, our traumatized country was greatly relieved.

A report by the Imo state police command claimed that the corpers were rescued by a combined team of security operatives. Bearing in mind that such rescue operations had reportedly happened recently, many people praised our gallant forces. But a few days later, media reports surfaced suggesting that the rescue story was not completely reliable.

Independence Address, Endless Promises No Specifics

 By Dele Sobowale

Bayo Onanuga, the Senior Special Adviser to the President, accused critics of writing their responses without reading Tinubu’s address. That is certainly not true about me. In fact, the address was read to me by Uncle Sam, the Publisher of Vanguard, in his house – while asking for my comments on a few statements. 

*Tinubu

Unknown to Uncle Sam, at least until I told him, my team was out from 6am monitoring the situation with transport fares in several bus stations in Lagos State. By the time three of us reached Uncle Sam’s house, reports from thirteen popular bus stations were in.

66 Years On, Nigeria Must Escape The Fragility Trap

By Olu Fasan

How fragile is Nigeria? That is one question Nigerian leaders don’t want to confront. Indeed, it irks them when anyone says that Nigeria is a fragile state. What’s more, some Nigerians, out of sheer romantic or sentimental patriotism hate it when the word “fragility” is used to describe Nigeria.

*Tinubu

It is unpatriotic, they reckon, for anyone to suggest that Nigeria is a fragile state. But this is not a subjective matter, rather it is an objective reality, based on rigorous assessment of key political, economic and social indicators. Nigeria may choose to be the judge and the jury in its own matter and declare itself strong and stable, the world simply does not see it that way, and the evidence points to a deeply fragile state.

As INEC Reassures Nigerians

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured Nigerians still smarting from its 2023 shenanigans of its readiness, this time, to deliver credible elections in 2027.

*Amupitan 
The reassurance came from the INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, a professor, whose great skill and knowledge in law earned him the prestigious rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who appreciates that democracy being a rules-based game should be governed by constitutional rules, laws and institutional norms.

Living In Denial With Loans And Unimplemented Budgets

 By Adekunle Adekoya

On October 1, the President made a broadcast to the nation about the state of the Nigerian state. In summary, the president said that “reforms are over, foundation laid for prosperity.” The president’s assertions have never been interrogated, except for sporadic attacks from leading opposition figures about specific items.

*Tinubu

I want to ask: What was reformed? As far as I can see, what has been drummed into the ears of Nigerians, and which some multilateral institutions have bought into is the removal of subsidy on fuel energy, namely diesel, petrol, and Jet-A1, and flotation of the Naira. The argument advanced for subsidy removal was that government would conserve resources, increase revenue and have more funds to run the country.

Nigeria: A Case For The “Igbo Ranch”

 By Ochereome Nnanna

This is a necessary sequel to my article last week titled: “Owo Ranch: Attention, Gov. Peter Mbah!” You may have, like me, wondered why Governor Mbah would carve out over 10,000 hectares for the ranch project at his hometown, Owo, in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State.

*Gov Mbah

Since his government has remained mute on the many issues surrounding the project, we are free to speculate. If he actually intends it for corporate, professional ranching, all I need to add is that he should ensure that the youths of Enugu State are strong stakeholders for their ownership, empowerment, and security.

Fear Of Electoral Violence In 2027

 By Tonnie Iredia

Since December 12, 1959 when the first national pre-independence elections were held in Nigeria till today, we have had no election without citizens losing sleep and remaining exceedingly anxious over electoral violence. Even the June 12, 1993 Presidential election internationally recognised as the nation’s best had its own tension.

Indeed, the 1993 election was the first to be annulled in the nation’s history. Nigerian elections have always been subjected to a plethora of electoral malpractices featuring political intimidation, vote buying and collusion of the electoral body with interest groups to rig our polls. These anomalies have greatly discouraged citizen participation in elections leading to sequential decline in voter turn-out.

Obi Versus Soludo: Unnecessary Political Cannibalism

 By Dele Sobowale

"I stand by my words"– Governor Soludo on Peter Obi leaving money for Anambra – Daily Post Nigeria.

*Obi and Soludo

It was not my intention to get involved in the controversy between presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and a former governor of Anambra State, and incumbent Governor Soludo. Granted, I have always wondered what Soludo hopes to gain by working against the ambitions of a fellow Igbo man – when he is not a candidate himself.

When Hypocrisy And Doublespeak Define A Nation

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

On October 1, 66 years ago, Nigeria gained flag independence from Britain. Within these years, the country reached another milestone – 27 years of unbroken civilian rule, which many confuse as democracy. Ours is not yet a democracy. 

*Tinubu during the 66th Independence ceremonies

It may well be with time, but democracy and civilian rule are poles apart. In a civilian rule, power is concentrated and recklessly abused by the political elites without public oversight but the idea of democracy calls for something more fundamental: it requires popular participation, free and fair elections and strong institutional checks and balances.

Tinubu’s Disappointing October 1 Message

 By Adekunle Adekoya

Not a few Nigerians, especially me, expected that there would be something to hold on to when the President made his speech commemorating our National Day, October 1, yesterday morning. 

*Tinubu

As a newspaperman, I read the message more than three times, looking for that strand of a message that could give hope that at the end of the tunnel in which we have been thrown, there would be a glimmer of light, signalling hope that things would begin a turnaround for the better.

Alas, like so many other countrymen and women, numbering in scores of millions, it was not to be as the president opted to grandstand on what he thinks are achievements. The same old chorus, now sounding like a broken record, was recited to us — necessity of reforms, NELFUND, Credicorp, and all that. There was no talk about how we would soon pay less for petrol, diesel, cooking gas, or electricity.

Soludo’s War On Obi: To What End?

 By Olu Fasan

The ferocity, persistence and intentionality of Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s attacks on Peter Obi must strike many as inexplicable, even abnormal. Soludo is the current governor of Anambra State; Obi is a former governor of the state. 

*Obi and Soludo

While both belong to different parties and have divergent political interests, it’s hard to fathom why Soludo is traducing Obi so ferally, even using state machinery. Indeed, the fact that the Anambra State government itself is fighting Obi makes the attacks more damaging. 

The governor and his administration are calling Obi a “liar”, striking at the hearts of the values of character, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, etc., that Obi claims define him and on which he anchors his presidential ambitions. Clearly, Soludo and his government are “demarketing” Obi, telling Nigerians he’s not what and who he claims to be. But what’s Soludo’s endgame? To what end is the animus?

Babafemi Ojudu Writes An Open Letter To Bola Tinubu

Open Letter To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

My dear brother,

Welcome home. Today, as Nigeria marks the anniversary of her independence, we are reminded that the promise of freedom must find meaning in the dignity, security and well-being of our people. I hope your time away has brought you some rest and renewed strength.

*Tinubu

The months ahead will test you as a leader and as a candidate seeking another mandate. More consequentially, they will test our country.

I write because I believe you need to hear, plainly and from someone who wishes you well, how difficult life has become for many Nigerians.

Where Did This Hatred Between Igbo And Yoruba Come From?

By Funlayo Ademola-Adefolaju

It wasn't like this when I was growing up in the 60s, 70s.

This deep hatred I see now between Igbo and Yoruba on Facebook breaks my heart, because this is not the Nigeria I knew.

Dave Umahi And His Lies!

 By Nchee Nwabunnia

Dr Akanu Ibiam from present day Ebonyi State was the Governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. That was made up of the entire South East, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. He was the Governor from 1960 to 1966. 

After the military interjection came the second republic, Jim Nwobodo came in 1979 followed by C.C Onoh in 1983 as Governors of old Anambra State. Both were from current day Enugu State. The military struck again. 

Abia was created and Ebonyi became part of it. The third republican Governor of Abia was Ogbonnaya Onu from current day Ebonyi state. The military interjected again.

How Long Can Nigeria Go Under Tinubu?

 By Promise Adiele

I have always been fascinated by a phrase in the marital vows of Christians during wedding rituals: “till death do us part”! My candid understanding of the submission is straightforward – husband and wife accept that the only thing that can come between them, to put them asunder, is death, that final arbiter of human existence.

*Tinubu

Another marital expression that amuses me is: “what God has joined together, let no man put asunder”. The big question is – how many marriages did God join together? Many times, the speed with which some couples abandon the “till death do us part” vow bewilders my critical mind.

An Open Letter To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

 By Stephanie Shaakaa

Gboko, 24 September 2026

Mr. President,

I am writing to you from Gboko, where government is not experienced through communiqués or presidential briefings. People meet government when they go to the market, when they travel to the farm, when they pay school fees, when transport fares rise and when they have to decide which household expense can wait until next month.

*Tinubu and Macron

But that is not the whole story of what it means to live here.

I am also writing from a place where fear is not an abstract word. In Benue, news of another attack is no longer something people encounter only in newspaper reports. Communities have been attacked, families have lost relatives and farmers have been forced to think carefully about whether it is safe to return to their fields. On September 10 and 11, an attack on Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area left four police officers and seven civilians dead. Four days later, two more police officers were killed in an ambush while returning to the same community.

The Case For Renaming My State Capital (Port Harcourt)

 By Donu Kogbara

This thought-provoking and slightly edited article, which first appeared in a publication called NewAfrican, was written by my friend and former BBC boss Onyekachi Wambu, a distinguished London-based author and filmmaker.

Why do we continue to cling to the colonial names bestowed on our towns and cities? We do this even when the officials after whom these names given later disgraced themselves. The issue around Port Harcourt is a classic test case.

What would you do if one of your most important cities was named after a paedophile? Change the name, surely, or continue wearing it as a sordid badge of honour?

Is Rivers State Wike’s Cattle Ranch?

 By Ugoji Egbujo

Wike is boastful. The temptation is to take his claims with a pinch of salt. But unlike other loud and garrulous politicians, friends and foes alike say it is perilous to ignore Wike’s rants, even when he sounds inebriated. Who would have believed he was bred by a pastor? He is brash and ferocious. And outstandingly cunning. 

*Wike 

On television a few days ago, Wike claimed that the G5—a flock of former governors he shepherds—made Tinubu president. This latest chest-beating was provoked by governors of the ruling party, who all but labelled him a political chameleon: hiding under a rainbow flag to trumpet support for Tinubu while sabotaging the larger APC in furtherance of his personal ambitions.

Peter Obi: Let's Begin To Give Dignity To Human Lives In Our Land

 The death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, is a deeply troubling tragedy that demands urgent answers. 

These were persons who had been arrested as suspects. Whatever offence they were suspected of committing, they were still human beings, and the responsibility of the State was to keep them alive, safe, and treated humanely while due process took its course.

Peter Obi: On The Anambra Debt Question

*Peter Obi and Charles Soludo 
I have remained silent over the past few days because I have been grieving the loss of my very dear elder brother and friend, Chief Okey Ezeibe. However, the time has come for me to address some of the matters that have occupied public discussion in recent days.

I respectfully urge everyone to concentrate on the existential challenges confronting Nigeria and the hardships endured by its citizens, rather than on the needless distractions that have become widespread in our politics.