Ostensibly, it was meant to be a compliment of sorts. But it has backfired massively all over Africa. US President Donald Trump had invited five West African presidents to the White House to discuss “trade instead of aid”. While there were various speculations as regards the real reason behind the invitation— especially as the continental Read More…
Wole Olaoye
Enter the Coalition
The coalition of anti-APC forces was long expected. Many people had predicted that it would come sooner, especially as it was in tandem with their belief that some politicians from the northern belt would not be able to tolerate four years of political harmattan. Being out of power at the presidential level, it was alleged, Read More…
The viper that eats fellow snakes
Nasir El-Rufai may not be a cobra-eating king cobra, but he does display all the attributes of a saw-scaled viper. Judge it by its petite size at your own peril. It packs as much potent venom as any self-respecting limbless reptile. It scans the horizon regularly for danger in its search for prey, taking care Read More…
Song of a Bandit
To clear the cobweb of misattribution, let it be known that this piece was not inspired by the 2003 South Korean film, “Song of the bandits”, a captivating South Korean action period drama set against the backdrop of the 1920s during the Japanese occupation of Joseon. Wikipedia describes that movie as “a tale where those Read More…
Descent Into Anomie
Where is the owner of the dismembered hand dangling from the mouth of this dancing ape? And where is the body from which he amputated the human foot he is using as a clapper in his celebration orgy?In which unfortunate country did this happen? Where was the law when these beasts were on the prowl? Who Read More…
‘Northern’ Plot Against Tinubu?
Nigerian politicians fascinate me with their sheer inventiveness. Don’t write off any politician who still has breath in him. His dying embers can still trigger a conflagration. It was in that context that I decided to take another look at the recent threats by some politicians of Northern extraction to block President Tinubu from having Read More…
Papa Francesco è stato qui!
On Easter Sunday, I watched the expectant crowd at St Peter’s Square break into a spontaneous applause as Pope Francis’ head appeared on the most recognisable balcony in the world, the papal balcony. It was from that same loggia that the former Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was introduced to the world Read More…
Peaceful Separation or Violent Unity?
It seems that everybody wants Nigeria to remain one indivisible entity. Right? At least, that is what they profess openly. But don’t be deceived; the hoopla that will greet you at the slightest sign of a social or political strain will make you wonder at the unwisdom of forcing such atavistic tribes together under one Read More…
The Power of Soft Power
Every corridor of power is strewn with its own peculiar coterie of grovellers. They may come under various designations— Special Assistant, Press Secretary, Special Adviser, Commissioner or some other official nomenclature— what unites them is their blind and unthinking resort to extra-legal measures in defence of their principals. Some public officials who don’t know any Read More…
Clemency for Sunday Jackson
In Nigeria, you can be sentenced to death for defending yourself against an assailant. Forget all that you’ve read to the contrary. If your life is threatened by an armed herdsman, run for cover. Or simply allow the vagabond to slice your throat. You’re better dead and classified as a victim than to retaliate and Read More…