Before Buhari Tampers With Press Freedom Again

By Martins Oloja

Even if we encourage ourselves by wishing for peaceful coverage of the 2019 election processes, as journalists, there are warning signals for us to prepare for war with this administration. Reason: most of us are beginning to discern that despite their assurances since May 2015, they are set to tinker ruthlessly with press freedom for their ‘Project 2019’. 

*President Buhari and his adviser on media,
Femi Adesina

On March 16, 2015, the then candidate Muhammadu Buhari told the newspapers’ proprietors and editors: “I won’t tamper with press freedom…”  

Buhari, who then said a change revolution was imminent in the country without firing a shot also assured the influential members of the Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) at an interaction in Abuja:

Understanding Adams Oshiomhole

By Abraham Ogbodo

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole is used to public shows. He lives as if every situation in life is a piece of drama that must be acted out. Even at that, he does not respect the rules of the stage and stay within his role.  For no clear reason, he loves to be the lead actor always, even if the director casts him to merely play a supporting role.

*Adams Oshiomhole 

As president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it seemed Nigeria had two presidents. Then, if a man or woman only mentioned the ‘President’ in describing the head of state and number one citizen of Nigeria, he or she would be required to give further details so that it would be known if the description applied to Obasanjo or Oshiomhole.

2019: Tinubu Said He Would Support Buhari Even On A Hospital Stretcher – Saraki

"...However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between Tinubu and I is that while I expressed my worries that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us to deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather 'support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher' to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west. This viewpoint of Tinubu’s was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest..."

*Saraki and Tinubu 

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Full text of Saraki's Statement

The Tinubu Rhetoric: My Response

By Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

I have always restrained from joining issues in the media with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is based on my respect for him. However, I will not allow him to create a wrong, false and mischievous impression about the reasons for my decision to exit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and present his prejudice as facts for public consumption.

I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation. No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the Presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treats the legislature with contempt and acts as if the lawmaking body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, this is unacceptable.

In Nigeria Truth Is A Distraction

By Eugene Onyeabo Aligbe

In May 2018, the Nigerian airwaves were awash with musical lyrics from Folarin Falana, popularly called Falz. Some persons could not accept the obvious truth in the song that there was a dent on the image of Nigeria and by extension every citizen of Nigeria.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in their reaction threatened to slam a law suit on the musician, Falz for his song titled, “This is Nigeria; Where Everyone is a Criminal”.   At first, many people tongue lashed Falz for not being a patriotic Nigerian despite being the son of a frontline legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN). They argued that as a Nigerian, no matter the situation, we should be patriotic even if things are not working as expected. Ideally, being patriotic, is a duty for every citizen to uphold social justice, stand firm against the ills in the land at all times.

Oshiomhole Is Making Saraki Popular!

By Ifeanyi Izeze

Hitherto, we all thought that the former Edo state governor had some quality stuffs upstairs but in less than two months of being incorporated into the national politics from his little labour and Edo state enclaves, he has quickly shown that he lacks the capacity to think deep and plan strategically on issues especially as concerns engagement strategies against political adversaries-real and perceived.

*Oshiomhole greets Saraki

With every pronouncement, action, and even body language, Adams Oshiomole, the newly enthroned National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress party (APC) displays himself as a big mistake for the Buhari political strategists. The man seems power drunk or at best in a hurry to prove something that he has not. Does Oshiomole not know that majority of the ordinary Nigerian people would rather go in support of anyone perceived to be victimized by the government whether state or federal? If you like don’t believe this but that is the absolute truth of how the psyche of the Nigerian electorate works.

Nigeria’s Democracy And Clouds Of Uncertainty

By Matthew Ozah

A common way to describe Nigeria’s democracy is to liken it to a gilded tea-cup made for a specific type of people. Hence, Nigeria’s political elite usually see themselves as special breed, who are larger-than-life and most often above the law.

*President Buhari 

They need no introduction in the public sphere as their ego and brocade dress speaks volume of them. The political class is witnessing a cycle of twisting events in its chequered history that is embedded in nepotism, poor performance and washing of dirty “political” linen in public.

Nigeria: Democracy In Trouble

By Raymond Oise-Oghaede

The fact that democracy is the most vibrant and progressive system of governance in today's global politics is indisputable. Little wonder why our nationalist and political leaders toiled day and night to ensure its sustenance since the attainment of independence in 1960. Unfortunately, due to mismanagement, the polity was plunged into crises which consequently gave birth to military intervention in 1966. 

Thence, the country experienced unstable democratic rule until 1999 when the present disposition was installed after much resilience and unquantifiable human and material sacrifices. Since 1999 to date, the country has witnessed over 19 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. This feat was made possible by the show of understanding by the citizenry which unpopularised the politics of tribal and religious bigotry.

Nigeria: Worn Nation, Worn Destiny

By Alade Rotimi-John

Writing about Nigeria in these days of a menacing or threatened enactment of a Hate Speech law can be irksome. The writer may be unable to properly delineate the terrain of a possible infraction of the law even as he attempts to give rein to free speech or truthful exposition. There is also the difficulty of plotting the graph between transcendental truths and the fraying of irritable nerves or temper of persons in authority.

An accustomed tendency to be infatuated or be deprived of judgement regarding the passion to speak the truth about the actual state of affairs in the country is thereby unfortunately hampered or put on hold.

Kemi Adeosun: When Forgery Is Elevated To A Cardinal Virtue

By Jude Ndukwe  

“Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

*President Buhari and Kemi Adeosun

Let me start this week’s essay on a spiritual note. This is because we are a country of religion, sometimes to its extreme, but most times in hypocrisy. We mouth virtues with the enthusiasm of a priest or imam but act out vices with the fanaticism of an extremist. Some of our political leaders are so shameless that they thrive in evil but pay putrefying obeisance to God either on Fridays or on Sundays with celestial mien and heavenly gait. Most unfortunately, these same set of people commit various crimes with audacity, cover or even encourage others to do so one way or the other. 

Invasion Of The National Assembly And Its Implications

By Henry C. Onyema

 Dear Nigerians, do we really understand the implications of the invasion of the National Assembly by the DSS? Can we reflect and understand that the soul of Nigeria is at stake?

*Saraki and Dogara 

To those politicos misusing our security agencies, please do not forget that the sword you wield to cut off your enemy’s head can slice off yours easily. A little history may help. Back in the 1960s, the almighty ruling Northern People’s Congress turned the army into its personal weapon of terror. It unleashed the army on political opponents. Unfortunately, among the commanders of operations to crack down on the Tiv were officers who got pissed off by the whole thing and turned their guns on the government on January 15 1966, namely Majors Adewale Ademoyega, Christian Anuforo and Timothy Onwuatuegwu. You think all those masked operatives are conscienceless robots?

Interrogating The Senseless Impunity Of Buhari Regime

By Simeon Nwakaudu 

Pure and simple, the sack of Lawal Daura is simply a face saving measure by the most tyrannical administration since the nation returned to democracy. Nobody should be deceived, Daura was simply a scapegoat in a failed coup against the country.

*President Buhari 

The courage to hijack the National Assembly was way beyond what a service chief would do without executive directive. The invasion of the National Assembly was a continuation of the Failed APC Federal Government’s horrible soap opera to arm-twist political opponents, using pliant security operatives. The brazen manner the APC Federal Government overthrew the National Assembly Complex embarrassed all black people across the universe and made us a laughing stock.

Nigeria: Siege, Plot Against Democracy

By Oshineye Victor Oshisada

The recent siege on the National Assembly was an aberrant behaviour. The institution is an august law-making organ of governance. However, its hallowed status was disdained when the Department of State Services (DSS) barricaded its gates to shut out the law-makers on August 7, 2018. That occurred on the assumption that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was contemplating of sacking the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

 The hooded security men shouted that they were on the orders not to permit anybody –members or staff- to have entrance.

Assumption of the removal of the Senate President by the APC is not tenable. In law, one cannot take assumption for reality; it is not evidence. An assumption is based upon suspicion. Chapter V, Part I Section 50 (2) takes care of the removal of the President or Deputy President of the Senate. The Constitution of 1999 is supreme, and not a kangaroo method of removal.

Nigeria: Dancing Naked In The Market

By Sam Ohuabunwa

Those who are familiar with how madness begins to manifest in a person, will tell you that no man becomes mad in just one day. Madness follows a sequence. Of course psychiatrists and those who work in the mental health area can easily notice when a patient goes through the stages or sequence. But for the ordinary folks like us, we also sometimes notice this sequence more so when the subject is closely related to us. Signs of mental illness may start with the subject being unusually moody which could represent depression or in some cases the subject may become unusually aggressive and hyperactive called hyperactive disorder. 

If the subject is subjected to treatment at these early stages, psychiatrists tell us, the mental health can be corrected but if not, the situation could deteriorate. Soon the subject begins to neglect his personal hygiene and then may begin to speak incoherently similar to what is called psychotic disorder. I am told that even at this stage the situation can still be remedied if urgent medical attention is sought and the patient can be persuaded or compelled to take the prescribed medicines.

‘Redemption Songs For Buhari’s Presidency’

By Martins Oloja

In an ancient political plot captured by Shakespeare in his classic, Julius Caesar, a minor character, Artemidorus, prepares what he calls a caveat for Caesar. 

*Buhari

He reads the warning aloud that he (Caesar) may escape an evil plot by his friends and members of his ‘inner circle.’(Reading aloud from the letter) Artemidorus warns in clear terms:

“Caesar, beware of Brutus. Watch Cassius. Don’t go near Casca. Keep an eye on Cinna. Don’t trust Trebonius. Pay attention to Metellus Cimber. Denius Brutus doesn’t love you. You’ve wronged Caius Ligarius. These men all have one intention, and it’s directed against Caesar. If you aren’t immortal, watch those around you. A sense of security opens the door to conspiracy. I pray that the mighty gods defend you! Your friend, Artemidorus.”

Believe APC Govt, You’ll Believe Anything!

By Reno Omokri

There is only one thing worse than the show of shame that took place at the National Assembly on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, when the Buhari administration laid siege on the National Assembly. The one thing worse than that despicable is the attempt by the executive to spin the whole thing as a conspiracy between Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the bow sacked DSS Boss, Lawal Daura. 

Oshiomhole and Buhari 

If you believe that tale, then I can assure you that you will believe anything. So preposterous is the allegation that I would have wondered why anyone will tell such a monumental lie. And then it hit me. The tactic now being employed by the Buhari administration to spin the National Assembly siege as a conspiracy between Senate President Bukola Saraki and the now disgraced DSS Director General, Lawal Daura is known as the Big Lie. 

Oshiomole And The Sinking Ship That He Captains!

Press Release

Senate President Bukola Saraki Replies APC Chairman Adams Oshiomohle

1. It is rather surprising that Mr. Adams Oshiomhole is behaving like a rain-beaten chicken, crying all over the place about Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as if the Senate President is the apparition haunting his life and the sinking ship that he captains.

Senator Saraki and Mr. Oshiomhole 

2. Having decided not to join the pigs in rolling in the dirt; we would not like to be involved in any meaningless exchange with the demagogue now in charge of APC. However, because he claimed that he was reacting to the issues raised by the Senate President during his World Press Conference, we thought it necessary to give the APC chairman some attention. 

Heart-Wrenching Tales Of An African Illegal Immigrant In Europe

By Joel Savage

It's hard for many Africans in Europe, to tell Africans at home the truth about the hard living conditions in Europe. In the midst of suffering, many Africans in Europe take pictures sitting behind a table covered with bottles of beer, creating a false impression that they live in comfort and luxury.

I share my stories to warn Africans that Europe is not paradise, a perfect place of riches, peace, and happiness. After reading this story, any African who wants to come to Europe must think twice. As a child growing up in a strongly religious family, I was taught that everything which is opposite to the teachings of the Holy Bible, including laziness is a sin. I tried my best to live a clean life. We were taught to believe that Israel, Jerusalem, and other Biblical countries were all in heaven, without a slight knowledge those countries were all on the same earth we are living.

So, Our Democracy Is Only Under Threat When DSS, Police Harass Senators?

By Fredrick Nwabufo

I have become flaccid to the unending drag drama at the national assembly. And I have lost erection for the routine executive-legislature dominatrix. The reason is that I am in a “fair weather” relationship with both parties.

In July, I raised my feeble voice against the police blockade of Senate President Bukola Saraki’s convoy. I did that principally because of his office. Saraki is only a tenant in that office; Nigerians are the landlord. We must protect our institutions regardless of the tenants who happen to find themselves there now. They will remain long after the present occupants have left the scene.

Nigeria: As Electricity Discos Throw In The Towel

By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

Keen observers and genuine opposition to privatisation of the power sector must be giggling with smiles at the recent turn of events. Core investors of Electricity Distribution Companies are beginning to throw in the towel, after five years of privatisation characterised by ineptitude and abysmal performance. This was coming on the heels of government’s determination to wield the big stick and correct the anomaly prevalent in the power sector for ages.

Government’s position has already sent shivers down the spine of stakeholders especially DISCOs known to have persistently violated the rules of engagement. In its bid to blackmail the government to soft-pedal on certain decisions, the Distribution Companies registered the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED).

Nigeria: A Country That Refuses To Grow Up

By Dan Agbese

Is it a storm? Is it a gale? Is it a tsunami? It is defection, the latest virus in the sclerotic arteries of our national politics. This poison is the only lucrative political business in town today. People are defecting from APC to PDP and from PDP to APC. It beats common sense but then you would do well to remember that common sense is not exactly a marketable product in the realm of politics, here and indeed, else where.

*Nigeria's Ex-Heads Of State 

Some of us are scratching our heads, wondering about this latest, and not to put a fine spin on it, ugly development in our national politics. The politicians do not believe that they owe us an explanation for what they are doing. But we cannot pretend not to know what is pushing them out of one party into another. It is meet and proper that in search of the why question, we raise questions that seem to beg reason. One of which is, in whose interest?