Is Media Still The Fourth Estate Of The Realm?

 By Fred Chukwuelobe

Before I delve deeper into the details of this question, let me briefly take a cursory read of the term, “fourth estate,” in the interest of those who may not know what it means.

According to Wikipedia, the term “fourth estate” refers to the press and news media and their influence on politics and society. It’s often seen as a watchdog of the government and a vital part of a functioning democracy, holding power accountable. The concept originated in Europe, contrasting the press with the traditional three estates of the realm: clergy, nobility, and commoners.

Buhari’s Aso Rock Rats And Matters Arising

 By Dele Sobowale

“Every government is run by liars; and nothing they say should be believed…” – I. F. Stone, 1907-1989

I was halfway through with the article intended for this week when two things happened. Former President Buhari, 1943-2025, passed on in a London Hospital; where he undoubtedly had gone to save his life.

*Buhari 

Unfortunately, the man might have realised that only Allah gives life. Without Almighty Allah’s approval, all the best doctors on Earth labour in vain. Incidentally, I almost went a few days before Buhari.

I was given extended tenure above ground by an overworked doctor in a General Hospital in Nigeria.

So much for overseas’ treatments! Garba Shehu, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Buhari, had launched a book titled, ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience’, in which he confessed to telling reporters a lie about the former President’s health condition.

Half Time: Tinubu ‘Don Fall My Hand’

 By Ugoji Egbujo

In 2023, I cast my vote for Tinubu, eyes wide open, heart half-hoping. Yet now, I confess— he has let me down. I knew it wasn’t the Yoruba’s turn. I saw the arrogance in Emilokan — a brazen affront to equity’s call. Still, I backed him. I backed him after rooting for Amaechi in the APC primaries. Peter Obi was good but his vehicle, I thought, lacked the wheels to roll up the northern hills.

*Tinubu

I chose Tinubu, believing he’d seen it all— bored of petty political squabbles, weary of conquests that consume time and soul, development and country — and could only seek true heroism. I imagined his twilight years, devoted to chasing posterity’s nod, not power’s fleeting thrill, not indulging the likes of Akpabio, Wike and Orji Kalu, not ego tripping.

Before Nyesom Wike’s Fire Consumes Nigeria

 By Luka Danboyi

The self-immolating tendency for people to be indifferent to situations in which they are not directly involved seems to be playing out in the debacle in Rivers State. Curiously, there are people who are enjoying the political drama between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor-cum-godfather, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

*Wike 

There is no question that the vast majority of Nigerians are inured to the shenanigans of a disoriented political elite that hardly reckons with the plight of the people. Only such a situation would produce the present economic nightmare afflicting a country so richly endowed that, less than 50 years ago, other countries were visiting to understudy its impressive developmental effort and to borrow ‘seeds’ for their agricultural revolution.