The Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Aminu Alkali, who was last seen in office eight months ago has returned to Jalingo, the state capital. Alkali’s prolonged absence has generated rumours that he was battling an undisclosed ailment. The Deputy Governor arrived Jalingo from Abuja and was driven to his official residence at the Government House in a convoy of four vehicles.
“The masses are all up for grabs by the highest bidder.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu One of the most remarkable takeaways from Saturday’s by-elections in Anambra State is that Nigerians have disempowered themselves in their democracy. Nigerian voters who participated in the Anambra South and the Onitsha North 1 State constituency by-elections mostly proved, by their action, that they do not believe in the promise of a better nation. Although lost and won, the implications of Saturday’s...
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the two results on Sunday in Onitsha and Nnewi local governments, respectively. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates have won the by-elections for the Anambra South Senatorial District and the Onitsha North Constituency of the State House of Assembly held on Saturday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the two results on Sunday in Onitsha and Nnewi local governments, respectively. The Returning Officer at the INEC...
The Chairman of Rano local government area of Kano State, Muhammad Nazir Yau has been suspended by the Kano State House of Assembly for three months over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and misappropriation of funds. The Assembly took the decision to allow for a full scale investigation into allegations leveled against him by councillors of the LGA. The Assembly directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to instruct the vice chairman...
Three days to the Anambra South senatorial by-election, candidates of participating political parties have stepped up campaigns across the seven local governments of the senatorial districts. Altogether, about four political parties, namely, YPP, ADC, APGA, and APC, have intensified campaigns across the senatorial zone. The YPP candidate, Prince Oforbuike Okoli-Egbo, who is the youngest of all the contestants, is a diehard supporter of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the end, and he is the only...
Leadership across nations is shaped not only by policies but by the quality of the individuals at the helm. History has shown that the most transformative leaders often draw from deep wells of ethical, philosophical, and strategic thought. Yet, in many African countries—and Nigeria in particular—there appears to be a crisis in the kind of men elevated to govern. This deficit is not merely political; it is intellectual, philosophical, and deeply structural. There is a...
“There was a damning report about Nigerian Governors splashing billions on new Government Houses.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu On Tuesday, the governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, personally announced and unveiled what could be regarded as the return of Abakaliki Street in Awka, the Anambra State capital. “I understand, it was formerly Abakaliki Street, then, for some reason, they changed it to Club Road, and I try to find out why. Why the change? I was...
The trajectory of Nigeria’s democratic development remains fraught with contradictions. While regular elections may signal democratic continuity, the persistent entanglement of electoral processes with money, violence, and state-sanctioned repression undermines the substance of democratic governance. The 2015 presidential election serves as a critical juncture in this narrative, revealing the extent to which institutional legitimacy can be compromised when democratic processes are subordinated to power politics and strategic violence. One of the most controversial episodes preceding...
“Anambra South by-election is shaping up as a tight race with no clear favorite.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu The stage is now set for the Anambra South senatorial by-election scheduled for August 16, 2025, as all political parties in the contest have now produced a candidate in that election. So far, it is clear that the Anambra South senatorial by-election will not be a walkover for any participating political party, as all parties were unable to produce...
“Buhari’s legacy is not a national treasure—it is a cautionary tale of tyranny cloaked in uniform and democracy.” —Anthony Obi Ogbo In many cultures, including mine, it’s considered immoral to speak ill of the dead. But tradition should never demand silence in the face of truth, especially when that truth is soaked in blood, broken promises, and the battered dignity of a nation. General Muhammadu Buhari, former military dictator and two-term civilian president of Nigeria,...
