Opinion

Why Trump Is Bad for Africa

Why Trump Is Bad for Africa

By JULIUS OGUNRO The US presidential election is only a few days away and polls show Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump statistically tied with no clear sign of a victor. This is probably the closest US presidential election ever. Harris, the Democratic Party’s candidate, and Republican Trump are campaigning tirelessly in the battleground or swing states, where both parties have no overwhelming support and either can win, making the states highly competitive and crucial for the outcome. Whoever wins the election has serious implications for the rest of the world, especially the continent of Africa. Because…
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T-Pain As A Salesman Of Hope

T-Pain As A Salesman Of Hope

Tinubu’s 'Renewed Hope Agenda' has led to the wiping out of the country’s once thriving middle-class. This is no way to renew a people’s hope. But who will tell Mr. President that Nigerians need to be alive today to enjoy the glorious dawn that only him envisions? Who will tell Mr. President that merchandising hope to a hapless people with the promise of a better tomorrow when he is living large in the present buying luxury yacht, state-of-the-art aircraft, exotic presidential limousines, etc. smacks of fraud? By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI For those who may not know, T-pain is President Bola Tinubu’s…
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Tinubu’s Four Dogs Of War Against Democracy

Tinubu’s Four Dogs Of War Against Democracy

Tinubu’s four dogs of war against democracy: What is worse, three out of Tinubu’s four dogs of war against democracy – Judiciary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police – are the very institutions that can and should guarantee the survival of the country’s people-driven governance system. Tinubu and his four dogs of war against democracy By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI As a journalist, I admire cartoonists, those visual artists who draw and create engaging captions, for their genius. They are not only creative and original, but also investigative, often incorporating humour, wit and satire in their works. When they are…
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The Charade, From Edo To Rivers State

The Charade, From Edo To Rivers State

By SHEDDY OZOENE As we read this, the results from Saturday's local government elections in Rivers State are still filtering in. The elections held in spite of the refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to avail the state electoral body an updated version of the state's voters register. To add to the intrigues, the Police - supposedly acting on a court ruling - abdicated its responsibility and refused to be part of maintaining lawful conduct of the polls. The elections held all the same and by the time all the results are called, Governor Sim Fubara will surely…
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Disaster Relief Fund: Why Fix It When It Is Not Broken?

Disaster Relief Fund: Why Fix It When It Is Not Broken?

By YAHAYA ETILA Recently, the federal government announced the establishment of a "Disaster Relief Fund" to address national disasters like flooding. I struggled to understand the aim and objectives because Wale Edun, the minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, stuttered when making the announcement. Yes, there is no doubt that when disasters occur, it is incumbent on the government to provide relief to those affected promptly to cushion the effect of such disasters. Does the country have a framework for addressing disaster situations, and has the agencies involved in disaster management lived up to expectations? I think…
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If I Were Asue Ighodalo

If I Were Asue Ighodalo

The Edo election has confirmed what every discerning Nigerian knows: the Mahmoud Yakubu-led INEC is a fraud with no moral fibre to conduct free, fair and credible elections. If I were Asue Ighodalo, the latest victim of Nigeria’s soulless electoral mafia, I will not go to court. The matter will be settled on the streets of Edo. If that is what those inclined to being politically correct call anarchy, so be it. Truth be told, unless and until Nigerians show the capacity to resist the malfeasance of INEC and their enablers on the streets, not in courts, this impunity will…
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The EFCC Chairman Feeds His Fat Ego At Our Expense

The EFCC Chairman Feeds His Fat Ego At Our Expense

By SHEDDY OZOENE The expansive headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Jabi, Abuja, deserves to have a wing for circuses. The building is so imposing that the mere sight should frighten the crime-minded, but behind the façade lies a clay-footed anti-graft agency that enjoys playing to the gallery and displaying the absurd. Over the years, it has witnessed many spectacular acts of triviality but on the watch of Olukayode Olanipekun, unnecessary ego now drives its policies and operations. Nowhere has this absurdity played out more than in its lousy handling of the case involving Yahaya Bello,…
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Edo Polls And The Famous Product Vendor

Edo Polls And The Famous Product Vendor

AZU ISHIEKWENE By his admission, Senator Adams Oshiomhole is a lousy product vendor. In the real commercial world, his premises would have been closed and his products banned. But in politics, crime multiples grace. Oshiomhole dragged Godwin Obaseki into the governorship race in 2016 when the odds were against him. Obaseki’s daytime job was minding his business at Afrinvest, a financial services company he founded. But he soon landed a side hustle as chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team in Osadebey House, Benin. When Oshiomhole wanted to hand over the baton in 2016, after two terms as…
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Edo Election: Monday Okpebholo Copies From The Tinubu Playbook

Edo Election: Monday Okpebholo Copies From The Tinubu Playbook

By SHEDDY OZOENE  Monday Okpebholo, the 54-year old governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State has been in the news since the past 10 days. He had veered off from the pleasing words of the average Nigerian politician by promising the people ‘insecurity’ if elected governor. The video recording of his campaign rally at Ovia North LGA where he goofed while addressing the crowd, has been trending across Edo State and beyond. It has also fired up concerns among people of the state about his suitability for the job, notably Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party…
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FRABEN AGWU, HOW NOT TO BE HONOURABLE

FRABEN AGWU, HOW NOT TO BE HONOURABLE

Sammie Echi Agbo I read an open letter by Hon Fraben Agwu, JP, to the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu South LGA, Hon. Caleb Ani. Agwu, in the letter, cynically congratulated Hon Ani on his emergence as the candidate of our great party. He described his emergence as ‘unmerited’. He didn’t stop there, he tagged His Excellency Jim Nwobodo as being in a state of ‘incommunicado’, alongside Agwu’s other unconscionable expressions. Joining issues with Agwu is, to say the least, make him relevant in the political space where he deservedly had gone into oblivion. For…
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