The Isa Pantami’s Saga: Reflections on Nigeria’s Dysfunctional Politics

“At what point did Pantami deny all those extremist ideologies, and under what circumstances? Then, should such a man have been appointed a minister in Nigeria? ” ―Ebuka Onyekwelu Nigeria’s Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Dr. Isa Pantami is facing a major accountability challenge. This would not be the first time a serving member of the Federal Executive Council would be facing such a serious test on the government’s strength to hold its members accountable....

OPINION: Nigeria Beefs Up Airport Security

By John Campbell, Guest Columnist and Blogger   According to Nigerian media, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to increase airport security. Specific reference is made to the airports at Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, and Maiduguri, with reports of an increased presence of Nigerian military personnel. (The Nigerian army has already assumed responsibility for security at the airports in northern Nigeria.) Of the airports cited, all but Lagos...

OPINION: The Unfolding Consequences of Idriss Déby’s Death

By Michelle Gavin The ripple effects emanating from the death of Chadian President Idriss Déby on April 20 are only beginning to be apparent. Most immediately, the future of Chad has been thrown into question. Déby reportedly died while on the frontlines fighting rebel forces, just days after cementing his continued grip on power through a staged election devoid of both integrity and suspense. On the one hand, dissolving the parliament and installing a military officer from Déby’s family at...

Watson’s assault case  might unravel a test of courtroom litigation competence

After a dramatic mayoral election meltdown, Attorney Tony Buzbee is facing another challenge ―this time in a district court. ― Dr. Anthony Obi Ogbo Rusty Hardin, an attorney, is not well-known to me, as my usual interest is in politicians and leaders or perhaps, politics and leadership. However, I do recall a few of his litigation endeavors. For instance, when the former Houston Oilers quarterback, Warren Moon, was acquitted by a Fort Bend County jury...

OPINION: Yoruba Debate “Restructuring” of Nigeria or “Autonomy”

By John Campbell, Guest Columnist & Blogger ______ Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Gani Adams, in a speech at a book launch in Lagos on April 14 said that the Yoruba people have “graduated from restructuring to self-determination.” He continued by saying that Nigeria is dominated by a “main powerful bloc” that, he implied, makes restructuring impossible. Specifically, he is advocating autonomy for Nigeria’s regions, in which “70 to 80 percent” of political power would be exercised by the regions...

OPINION: Ambiguous Reporting Emerges From the Nigeria-Cameroon Border

By John Campbell, Guest Columnist & Blogger _____ The Voice of America now has a presence in Maiduguri, providing welcome firsthand reporting on the Boko Haram insurgency. A recent report describes the gradual resumption of cross-border economic activity with Cameroon in the far northeastern sliver of Nigeria that borders on Cameroon and Chad. Specifically, the cattle market in Kolofata has reopened, with ranchers coming from across Africa. In another border town, Amchide, purveyors of small consumer goods crossing...

Anambra’s Election: How Nigeria’s Pricey Democracy Erodes Development Process

“An anti-corrupt leader cannot possibly emerge through a corrupt electoral process” ―Ebuka Onyekwelu The coming governorship election in Anambra state has once again exposed the relentless odds facing Nigeria’s chances of development. Irrespective of how flattering some economic ideas projected to move the country forward may be, without an advanced political culture, almost nothing can come out of such an economic proposition. The reason for this is not farfetched: politics control economics. Beyond economics, politics...

Proposed Southeast Joint Security Network ― A Logical Reflection

“Ebubeagu must hit the ground running” ―Ebuka Onyekwelu Yesterday, the five governors of the Southeast region met at Owerri the Imo state capital and for the first time in a long while, the entire governors were present in persons. At the end of their meeting, they all agreed to form a united security front called “Ebubeagu” as a joint Southeast security formation. This is coming about four months after the IPOB’s ESN was formed, and...

OPINION: Foreign Involvement Growing in Mozambique Counterinsurgency

By John Campbell, Guest Columnist & Blogger ______ Jihadi attacks in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province are accelerating, with heavy fighting breaking out around the town of Palma. In response, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa sent South African troops to evacuate South African nationals. The French oil and gas company Total has evacuated its employees from its Afungi gas facility and suspended construction on a $20 billion project. The Maputo government has, for much of the insurgency, routinely declined international help. But with the...

Southeast Under Siege —Nigeria’s Security Lapses Takes a New Dimension

It is the Southeast that has everything to lose if they throw their homeland into wild chaos ―Ebuka Onyekwelu As it stands, every part of Nigeria has now been engulfed in one life-threatening security challenge or another. Many states across the federation have well more than a handful share of this challenge. The Nigerian military inundated by the more traditional problem of lack of sufficient weapons to prosecute the ragging war against terrorism and banditry...

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