Now That INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, Has Done His Worst

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

IN the early hours of Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, declared the result of the presidential election which held on Saturday, February 25. Rather than jubilation, a pall of silence descended on the nation because many believe that their electoral will, freely expressed, had been subverted by suborned officials.

*Yakubu 

As the reality of what had happened dawned on them, many were speechless, others simply wore long faces, not believing that fellow citizens could execute such an unconscionable electoral heist. Thirty years ago, precisely on June 12, 1993, I voted for the first time in my life in a presidential election. Of course, that wasn’t when I attained the voting age. I was already a graduate and staff of Guardian Newspapers Limited. But I was a minor, electorally speaking, when the 1983 elections took place and, therefore, had no franchise to vote.

Nigeria: Is This Democracy?

 By Mike Ikhariale

After the celebratory hype about how the almighty BVAS and PVCs which were coming to revolutionize electioneering and democracy as a whole in Nigeria in the build-up to the current election that is fast turning into an unimaginable nightmare for many, I think we should go back and reflect on the poser we made about democracy in 2019 during the general elections of that year and see how much things have changed for Nigeria politically since then. 

Nigerians were made to believe that the hardship occasioned by the unmitigated collapse of the currency exchange policy was a deliberate design to ensure that there would be no cash available for politicians to “buy votes” and Nigerians were also fooled to believe that they were been called out for a sacrifice that would usher in a better democratic society for them tomorrow, more less like the brave and heroic Kohima epitaph which declares that “ for your tomorrow we gave our today”, but as we are all beginning to see, these politicians have callously taken both our today and tomorrow with them in one fell swoop by terribly discrediting democracy before the same people.

Nigeria’s Election As Point And Kill!

 By Emmanuel Onwubiko

Some days before the presidential election of February 25, 2023, I was awoken by a chat informing me of the possibility that the election may not be taking place in seven Local Government areas of Imo State. The Senior Director of the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, who brought this sad tale, also tasked me to find out why this is so. 

The Director expressed shock, consternation and disappointment that the insecurity in the South east of Nigeria has been allowed to degenerate and is now a hydra-headed monster. The person expressing this worry is not even Igbo Speaking but he is genuinely concerned about what has gone on for two years now in the Igbo heartlands.

Remembering Pius Adesanmi, A Scholar Of Distinction

By Tunde Olusunle  

I had two spells as a student at the University of Ilorin, abbreviated by us as Unilorin. True, our university started as a college under the University of Ibadan, (UI). We were in a hurry, however, to assert our independence and define our own corporate identity, soon after we were weaned off our mother’s breasts. Unilorin has since imprinted itself in Nigerian and global consciousness.

Late Prof Adesanmi 

The sheer quality of human resources it has availed the world, its groundbreaking ventures in research, teaching and mentoring, the holistic gamut of knowledge production and dissemination has since earned it a more fitting appellation. We call it the Better By Far citadel. My primary excursion through my alma mater ran from 1982 to 1985. The succeeding odyssey straddled 1987 to 1989. I studied English on both occasions, with a dominant slant for literature which I explored for my long essays and thesis respectively. 

Several years after my departure from Unilorin, the name “Pius Adesanmi” became recurring in the public and literary engagement circuits, in Nigeria and beyond. He was at once a poet, scholar, critic, satirist, columnist, author, maybe theorist as well. Biographical information about him, which I picked up in places, described him as a product of Unilorin and he was said to have studied French.

Toward A New Better Nigeria (4):

 OBI’s TRACK RECORD

By Pieray Awele Odor

Mr. Perter Obi has been described earlier by the author of this piece and many other authors as a phenomenon in Nigerian politics. This description is rooted in rational examination or critical analysis of his track record and the very audacious and unique choice of words that he employs for challenging his co-contestants for the presidency and for inviting people to vote for him. The words are “No shishi”, “Character”, “Track record”, “Trust”, “Compassion”, “competence”, and “commitment”. These unique campaign words establish Mr. Peter Obi as a nationalist and put him on the acme of political morality in Nigeria. I shall explain how by presenting his track record.

*Obi

In my previous contributions to public assessment of the three acknowledged real or most significant contenders for the position of president in the election that will be conducted on 25 February 2023 throughout the country, I discussed moral character, what basis should found your voting for one of them, “No Shishi” as a political contractual offer to Nigerians, and character; in this order. In this fourth and final contribution, I have discussed Mr. Obi’s track record. This covers SOME of his actions as the governor of Anambra State for eight years and just three testimonies. I believe the information will be sufficient for you to convince yourself to trust that when you vote for him he will be the best president Nigeria has ever had, by his deeds, not words.

Peter Obi Drops Passionate Message Hours To Presidential Poll...

Fellow Nigerians, it’s 3 days to go and in my quiet moments I know that Nigerians are wondering what Peter Obi is thinking. I will share my thoughts here because I have Nigeria on my mind! 

We are currently at a crossroads. We need a leader to show us the way forward. We need a prudent president, a principled president who has what it takes to lead. 

As we say in Naija: “We need person who sabi road; a person we go follow make this country better.” A new Nigeria is possible. We can make it. 

Epilogue For A Country In labour

 By Ndubuisi Nwafor

Nigeria is in the throes of rebirth; it is turning into a painful pang of labor, and politicians have strategically positioned themselves like vultures to supervise and take charge of the delivery. The PDAPC, LP, and NNPP are clearly the frontrunners in the race to parent the upcoming new nation; it is therefore critical that Nigerians choose a party on February 25th, 2023 that will take the duties and obligations of governance seriously.

Whatever way the pendulum swings, Nigeria will never be the same again, for better or for worse. A vote for the PDAPC would be a return to the status quo ante, and a complete recipe for disaster for a country whose security, economy, law, and governance have all collapsed into blazing hades of impunity and debauchery.

Soliciting For Funding Of Catholic Bishops’ Meeting

 By Peter Awele Pieray Odor

Two weeks ago, I received via WhatsAPP a video about the meeting intended by Catholic Bishops concerning which a voice solicited for funding from the public. It was scheduled to hold from Saturday, 11th of February 2023 to Friday, 17th February, 2023, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja. The theme of the conference is Citizens Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria. The money requested was to be sent to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Zenith Bank, 10111533088.

It is reasoned that the solicitation for fund for a conference by Catholic bishops is corrupt, corruptive, scandalous, and confirms the pervasiveness of corruption in Nigeria because morals and faith are breached. The breach of morals is defended here.

Promise Of A New Era: Peter Obi Unmasked

 BOOK REVIEW

By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye

Even after the 2023 presidential elections scheduled for next Saturday (February 25, 2023) in which Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party has received widespread acclamation as the candidate to beat, I will advise many Nigerians to still look out for Chuks Iloegbunam’s book, The Promise Of A New Era, which was presented to the public a couple of months ago in Enugu. Younger people who might one day nurse the aspiration to occupy leadership positions in Nigeria will find this book especially rewarding.

One juicy take-away from the book is the need for young people to  school themselves to start very early to keep their paths clean because they have no way of knowing the amazing opportunities that might throw themselves on their laps tomorrow. Indeed, an action undertaken today by a youth which might appear very insignificant could shoot itself up tomorrow and undermine his ability to seize a very ripe opportunity to achieve an enviable elevation. This is one vital lesson Peter Obi’s life should teach many young people. Despite being the most fact-checked candidate in the presidential contest today, Obi has emerged without a dent.

Toward A New And Better Nigeria (3): CHARACTER

By Prince Pieray Awele Odor

The first thing that I note about Mr. Obi’s character is that his “No shishi” reflects Nigeria of the good old days. This is because in the good old days no Nigerian bribed another Nigerian because no Nigerian gave any money to another Nigerian in order to make him (the recipient) do for him what he should not do, give him what he does not have natural or legal right to have, or violate any law in order to satisfy his or her interest. 

*Peter Obi

Every Nigerian carried out his or her duties and obligations to fellow Nigerians as duties and obligations and not as favours. Favour was done. Its recipient gave appreciation or gratitude sequel to it. Ekene dike na nke ome, omekwa ozo (Igbo) and Ti omode ba dupe ore ana a ri imiran gba (Yoruba) show that gratitude succeeds action. For bribery, giving precedes action. 

Feb 25: All Eyes On Peter Obi

 By Dan Onwukwe

You needed to have been at the Boundary market, Ajegunle, Lagos state, last weekend. There were tears of joy  when the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, went to campaign there. It was part of his open campaign in selected markets across the country. Remember he has always told us that he is trader.

*Peter Obi

It wasn’t the chant of his name, “Obi, Obi, Obi number One”… that touched the hearts of the enthusiastic crowd at the Ajegunle market. It was, indeed the crowd of excited women with their kids jostling like that woman with the issue of blood in the scriptures who desperately wanted to touch only the hem of the garment of Jesus Christ and be healed. (Matthew 9:20-21, KJV).  Obi obliged them, carrying one baby after the other. It’s the audacity of hope, amid despair.

Nigeria, The Bottom Is Dropping!

 By Tony Iwuoma

Things are happening at dizzying speed. A mere pronouncement of two men and their naira swap policy have merged the rich and the poor into one mass of needy Nigerians.

*El-Rufai and Buhari 

It’s more amusing because the minority high and mighty who were hitherto alien to the suffering of the majority seem caught unawares in the same web in which they enmeshed the people. In their confusion, they have begun tearing down their own houses with their own hands.

Simon Ekpa, The Little Man In Finland

 By Achike Chude

There is a man in Finland. He is perhaps one of those economic migrant Nigerians who fled the country in search of greener pastures. No one knew about him, and no one really cared. Well, perhaps not everyone. He once won a 100-meter silver medal for Nigeria at the African Junior Athletic Championship in Cameroon in 2003.

*Ekpa 

But things have changed for him. He is now a lawyer. He is a member of the National Coalition Party of Finland and was a candidate in the 2022 Finnish county elections. Get this! He ran for election to become a government official to serve the interest of the Finnish people. In Nigeria, he says that elections must not hold in the South East.

Neither Tinubu Nor Atiku Is Fit For Presidency

 By Emma Nwosu

Olusegun Adegoke, in his opinion published at page 13 of The Guardian of January 26, 2023, titled “Who, Between Atiku and Tinubu fits CEO of Nigeria”, raised a few of the germane criteria but gave the answers, wrongly, in favour of Atiku Abubakar – even giving him credit for what is due to the most distinguished President Nigeria has ever had, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom Atiku was only a Vice President.

*Tinubu and Atiku 

You have to define the issues to get the job description from which to determine the job specification or profile of the person to be hired – based, primarily, on the person’s character and verifiable track record, from previous employment and referees, evidencing capacity and competence for higher responsibility.

When A Leader Is Demystified In Power

By Okey Ndiribe

A recent attack on President Muhammadu Buhari’s convoy in Kano is a clear sign of rejection by the youths of the ancient city. Coming shortly after a similar incident in his home state of Katsina, it sends a signal of regional resentment against a leader who enjoyed a massive personality cult-following at the beginning of his  tenure eight years ago. 

These seeming acts of rebellion on the part of a once docile populace -which gave him over 12 million votes during the 2015 presidential election-appear to be a direct response to the President’s recent self-award of a pass mark to his administration. Buhari’s remark which was made in Bauchi had elicited a huge controversy among Nigerians. One had thought that was the end of the matter.

Presidency: Why Nigerians Should Think Deeper Before Casting Their Votes

 By Emeka Alex Duru

Growing up, we were treated to a certain ghastly form of wrestling, referred to as cage fight, in which the competitors were herded into a chained ring and made to attack one another until a winner emerged. Watching the contest could be gory and not for the faint-hearted. Each wrestler was free to adopt any strategy, no matter how unconventional, to dismantle his opponent. It was usually catastrophic. Not even the eventual winner got out of the ring intact. Everyone lost in one way or another.

This summarizes the tortuous route the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken Nigeria through in the last eight years as the ruling party. Like ardent con artists, chieftains of the party have driven the country down the slope in a manner of a car without brakes to the point of crashing it beyond repair.

Nigeria: When Polls Are Rigged Before Election Day

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated for the umpteenth time that he desires to bequeath the country a legacy of credible elections. That seems to be the only low hanging fruit waiting for him to pluck as his disastrous presidency comes to an insalubrious end on May 29. He has made the promise not only to Nigerians but also the international community.

While commissioning a wide range of operational assets acquired by his administration to strategically improve the capabilities of the police, particularly in crowd control and anti-riot operations, on February 13, the president harped on the need for them to be professional while policing the elections.

Naira Redesign, Queues And Quest For A New Nigeria

 By Elvis Eromosele

The amount of queueing Nigerians have been subjected to in the last couple of weeks is unprecedented. It is equally unbecoming. It’s almost like the country had gone back four decades.

Fights have broken out in queues at bank facilities, filling stations and INEC and LGAs offices across the country. There are trending videos of people stripping naked in protest inside banking halls, others hitting each other with queue dividers and one person has been confirmed dead inside a banking hall, somewhere in Asaba. Nigerians born in the 2000s, GenZs, should be forgiven for thinking the end of the world is here.

Birthday Essay For Professor Akachi Ezeigbo

 By Tony Afejuku

Let me urgently make this open confession: the current condition of this land – this land, your land, my land, our land – has consigned me to nothing short of a pretty long time to dilemmas upon dilemmas – seriously speaking indeed. It would be unjust of me not to make this open confession to you my chief reader today (and readers) in order to escape an almost inevitable calamity.’

*Prof Ezeigbo

As my today’s reader-in-chief and priestess-in-chief to boot you should help me, after hearing this confession, to wean me from anything untoward that would impair my judgment and essential character and value of my thought relating to our Emefielenic monetary stamp of bewildering proportions that would be of selfish benefits to his fellow politicians, no, polifoolicians, and cabalistic cabals than to our nation. 

Rangers International And The Allure Of Soft Power

By Chidi Odinkalu 

“It was as if the football club wanted to regain through foot­ball what the Igbo ‘lost’ during the war.” – Segun Odegbami, MON

Nearly every Nigerian who was alive then remem­bers where they were at the end of 1976 when Al­yufusalam Rocks met Enugu Rang­ers International in the finals of what was then known as the Chal­lenge (Football Association) Cup. With a history going back to the Governor’s Cup, the first finals of which took place on 7 November, 1945, the Challenge Cup was the premier knock-out competition in Nigerian football. Although strict­ly inferior to the football league, the win-or-go-home traditions of the Challenge Cup captured pub­lic imagination in a way that the league did not.