Nigeria: Between Election Violence And The Spoils Of Office

By Banji Ojewale

In rivers and bad governments the lightest things swim at the top — Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), American scientist and philosopher.

Nigeria’s elections are always a period of hemorrhage, seasons of internecine bloodletting, that, strangely, does not bring down our population. Just do a study of our cyclical polls. None came and went away without taking away precious souls. They have all soaked us in blood either before, during or after the ballot. Even the June 12, 1993 presidential contest we celebrate didn’t consummate its benignity. It wasn't allowed to. 

The vampires showed up to ruin the chance to dance. They annulled what Providence offers only once in a lifetime. What we got on the proverbial silver platter, we have since been looking for in a golden platter. It’s been quite an agonizing quest, made unbearable by the high toll in the lives we lose when we blow the whistle for electioneering.

Who Will Be Nigeria’s Next Mistake In 2019?

By Banji Ojewale

“In all science, error precedes the truth, and it is better it should go first than last” —Horace Walpole (1717-1797) English writer and politician.

If we go by what our politicians (the major presidential candidates notably) are saying about each other this campaign season, we can’t but conclude that they are all ‘misfits’ for office in 2019. They have smeared themselves. They have used invectives dug from the gutter to paint themselves. They have cancelled one another from the log of men and women of integrity.

*President Buhari 

They have thrown away their gloves and bruised their faces with bare fists. They have either asked the umpire to stay off or have left the ring altogether to slug it out in the mud. Now it’s a bloody street fight all the way. When the vote is cast and the result declared, both the winner and defeated and spectator would be losers, none a victor, even if there is a coronation. Why? It would be a pyrrhic triumph, where you’d ask yourself if you haven’t run all this marathon race only to end up with a mistake as your leader.

Gov El-Rufai: Throwing Stones In Glass Houses

By Luke Onyekakeyah

The unwarranted attack by the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, against the person of former Governor of Anambra State and running mate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, has exposed the bigotry of El-Rufai which he is now shifting to Peter Obi. Nigerians should ignore a personal opinion that has no weight.

*Gov El-Rufai 

I tried to look up for the meaning of bigot for better understanding. According to the Encarta Dictionary, a bigot is “an intolerant person; somebody with strong opinion, especially in politics, religion, or ethnicity, who refuses to accept different views.”

APC Has Scaled Up Its Proclivities For Violence Against The Opposition – PDP

Press Statement

2019: Hold APC Responsible Should Harm Befall Atiku, Others, PDP Insists

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be held responsible should any harm befall former Vice President Abubakar Atiku or any of the PDP Presidential aspirants ahead of the 2019 general elections.

PDP's position is predicated on its comprehensive consideration of all issues relating to the threats to the life of the former Vice President, as well as similar threats and harassments of other presidential aspirants in our fold, just as our party places all these threats at the doorstep of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC.