Perspectives
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The high cost of democracy: Who can really participate in Nigeria? By Oluwadare Ayeni
Democracy is widely regarded as the most just and effective system of governance because of the values it enshrines: freedom, equality, accountability, and the right of citizens to determine how they are governed. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle argued that governance must be guided by the common good, emphasising that political participation is essential to prevent power from falling into…
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The cost of ego – Lessons from the Natasha-Akpabio imbroglio, by Abdullahi Haruspice
What led to Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges needs little elaboration. It was, in essence, an avoidable clash of ego between two powerful figures—one a rising political star, the other the presiding officer of Nigeria’s upper chamber. What should have been a routine administrative disagreement was allowed to metastasize…
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INEC chair: Will politics trump justice, equity, and fairplay? By Bola Bolawole
“And who do you think President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will appoint as the next INEC chairman? Strange enough, his South-west is the only section of the country yet to occupy the post.“ “Point of correction! The president does not appoint INEC chairmen; he only recommends to the National Assembly for ratification””It is the same thing! Whether he recommends or appoints,…
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When everyone is political, by Oluwadare Ayeni
Democracy is often praised as the best system of government because it allows citizens to decide how they are governed and who governs them. The English philosopher Jeremy Bentham once said that democracy ensures “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” Socrates, on his part, warned that when good people refuse to participate in politics, they end up being ruled…
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Catholic Church: What Nun-sense is this? By Bamidele Johnson
The first time I came across the story of Sister Kinse Shako Annastasia, a Catholic nun recently evicted from the Congregation of Mother of Perpetual Help of the Archangels Sisters in Auchi, it was through a Facebook post by a friend, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu. At first, I thought it was a joke because such was uncommon. The woman had complained that…
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Otti’s uninformed aides: the case of Abia’s financial illiteracy, by Obinna Oriaku
The Deputy Speaker was absolutely right when he stated that Abia State receives about ₦38 billion monthly, according to the state’s own Quarter 2, 2025 Budget Performance Report. The report, published by the Abia State Government, provides undeniable evidence that exposes the ignorance of certain government aides who struggle to grasp even the most basic principles of public finance. The…
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Generals, Marabouts and Boko Haram, by Lasisi Olagunju
General Lucky Irabor wrote a book that attracted a gathering of Generals in Abuja last Friday. Irabor, in the book, describes the January 1966 coup as “a shield that became a sword;” a solution that became a problem. He may be right. Bishop Matthew Kukah, who reviewed the book, described the January 1966 coup as the nation’s primary crime scene.…
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A truly honourable man at 69! By Temitope Ajayi
When his name appeared on the list of ministerial nominees, the natural assumption was that he would head the Ministry of Information. That assumption was not misplaced. Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals, is an outstanding journalist, a renowned editor as well as a public and political communication czar. He excelled in his previous roles as Editor of National…
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Whose report shall we believe on the Nigerian economy? By Dapo Okubanjo
There has been a lot of public commentaries on the state of the Nigerian economy in the last 28 months, from the sublime to the outrightly ridiculous. Indeed almost as soon as President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 29 2023 and made his “subsidy is gone” announcement, it looked like all hell was let loose in the aftermath of…
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Seven days on the road with Dave Umahi, by Segun Showunmi
A chance encounter in a barbershop It began in the most ordinary of places a salon in Abuja. Clippers humming, young people talking, frustration simmering beneath the jokes. “The Maraba–Abuja road is a nightmare,” one of them said, and the others nodded in agreement. I listened quietly, thinking to myself how our roads often tell our stories of neglect, patience,…
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