Editorial
Monday, 16 December 2024 04:58
Editorial: Kemi Badenoch, Kashim Shettima, and the tragic disconnect from Nigeria’s reality
In a recent exchange between Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, and Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, two prominent figures have engaged in a spectacle of misplaced pride and denial that only highlights their disconnect from the harsh realities facing Nigeria today. Badenoch, who has openly criticized the country of her birth, and Shettima, who represents the very political class responsible for Nigeria’s current state of disarray, have both displayed a level of delusion that must be condemned. Badenoch’s remarks about Nigeria are sharp and uncompromising. She describes a country plagued by corruption, insecurity, and political dysfunction,…
Friday, 06 December 2024 04:37
Editorial: Dele Farotimi, Afe Babalola and the Nigerian State in-between them
The arrest and detention of human rights advocate Dele Farotimi is not merely a legal matter; it is a chilling reflection of the growing trend of authoritarianism under the current Nigerian administration. Farotimi’s arrest—executed with the heavy-handed tactics of the Ekiti State Police—is the latest in a long line of actions that have turned the Nigerian state’s security apparatus into a weapon against its own citizens. The circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s detention, particularly the Gestapo-style manner in which he was apprehended, are not just troubling; they are indicative of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation, legal overreach, and the systematic silencing…
Tuesday, 19 November 2024 04:41
Editorial: Ondo guber election and the irredeemability of Nigeria’s electoral system
The just-concluded Ondo State governorship election has once again exposed the tragic and unchanging reality of Nigeria’s electoral system—a system so deeply entrenched in corruption that it has become a farce. This is not a matter of a few “bad apples” within the system, but a reflection of a political culture that thrives on the exploitation of poverty, the manipulation of vulnerable citizens, and the perversion of democracy. It is a disturbing reminder of the editorial stance we took on September 24, 2024, in which we concluded that Nigeria’s electoral process is irreparably flawed and incapable of producing the leaders…
Thursday, 07 November 2024 04:32
Editorial: Dangote Refinery and the perils of greed in the face of national suffering
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and the owner of the Dangote refinery, has built his empire on a foundation of ambition and resilience. However, in the pursuit of profit, he seems to have lost sight of the very people who sustain his businesses—the average Nigerians. His recent actions regarding fuel pricing and distribution reflect a troubling trend: an unrelenting greed that prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of the populace. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has rightly criticized Dangote for setting fuel prices that are exorbitantly higher than even imported products, forcing many to seek more affordable…
Tuesday, 05 November 2024 04:50
Editorial: The Derivation dilemma in the Tax Reform Bills
The current controversy surrounding the Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu highlights a significant and contentious issue: the principle of derivation in the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula. At the heart of the matter is a proposed increase in the derivation percentage from 20% to 60% for VAT revenues, a move that has ignited fervent opposition, particularly from Northern political leaders. Their concerns raise critical questions about equity, regional balance, and the historical context of Nigeria’s fiscal policies. Historically, the derivation principle has undergone significant transformations. Initially, during the colonial period, regions retained 100% of mineral…
Monday, 04 November 2024 04:00
Editorial: Underage arraignment - a disturbing descent into authoritarianism under Tinubu
The recent arraignment of 32 minors alongside 76 other individuals for their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests reveals a chilling reality: President Bola Tinubu’s government is veering dangerously close to authoritarianism. The inhumane treatment of these young detainees, who have been subjected to three months of detention without adequate food or care, highlights not only a blatant disregard for human rights but also an alarming trend toward state repression of dissent. The charges of treason and other serious offenses against these children—some as young as 14—are not only absurd but indicative of a regime willing to weaponize the law to…
Tuesday, 22 October 2024 05:00
Editorial: In celebration of the chewing stick revolution
In the land of renewed hope, it appears that Nigeria is hurtling back in time—way back. Thanks to the brilliant economic policies crafted under the watchful eye of our dear President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians can now boast of a dental renaissance! Yes, the humble chewing stick has returned to save the day, as the soaring cost of toothpaste—now the exclusive preserve of oligarchs and business magnates—has sent ordinary citizens scrambling for nature’s toothbrush. The genius behind Tinubu’s economic overhaul is undeniable. Remove fuel subsidies? Check. Float the Naira into a free fall? Check. Throw in inflation so rampant that toothpaste…
Wednesday, 16 October 2024 05:16
Editorial: Increasing VAT at this time?
Nigeria is on the verge of a significant tax policy shift as the National Assembly considers a bill proposed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10% in 2025, with a gradual rise to 15% by 2030. While this move might seem like a necessary fiscal measure to boost government revenue, the timing and the potential impact on the economy raise serious concerns. Amid rising inflation, deepening poverty, and escalating energy costs, increasing VAT at this moment is an ill-advised decision that could further harm the very people it aims to support.…
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 04:53
Editorial: Bola Tinubu University of what?
The introduction of a bill in the Nigerian House of Representatives seeking to establish the “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages” is an unfortunate reminder of the National Assembly’s growing detachment from public sentiment and intellectual rigor. This ill-conceived move, spearheaded by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and his fellow backers, signals a blatant disregard for both the needs of the Nigerian people and the integrity of the country’s higher education system. At the heart of this bill is the alarming question: what exactly qualifies President Bola Tinubu for such an honor? Naming an institution after an individual is…
Monday, 14 October 2024 04:44
Editorial: Madam, with due respect, your husband is responsible for current hardship
In a recent statement that can only be described as detached from reality, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, wife of Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, claimed that her husband is not responsible for the current economic hardship gripping the nation. This assertion is not only misleading but also demonstrates a dangerous lack of accountability at the highest levels of government. Let's be clear: President Tinubu's policies have undeniably exacerbated Nigeria's economic woes. Since taking office: 1. The Naira has plummeted from N465/$ to N1,700/$, a devastating 70% devaluation. 2. Petrol prices have skyrocketed from N187/litre to above N1,000/litre. 3. Inflation has surged from…
More...
Wednesday, 25 September 2024 04:41
Editorial: Dangote’s self-serving call for petrol subsidy removal
Aliko Dangote’s recent call for the removal of the petrol subsidy, based on the specious comparison between fuel prices in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, is not only misleading but also reveals a deeply selfish agenda that disregards the economic realities of ordinary Nigerians. Dangote's attempt to justify a petrol price hike by claiming that fuel is cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia, while ignoring the vast disparity in minimum wages between the two countries, is both disingenuous and dangerous. While petrol may indeed be 60 percent cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia, Dangote conveniently overlooks the fact that…
Tuesday, 24 September 2024 04:56
Editorial: The farce of Nigerian elections - a system beyond reform
Once again, Nigeria’s electoral process has descended into a grotesque spectacle, as witnessed in the recent Edo State governorship election. What transpired on September 21, 2024, was not an election in any democratic sense, but rather a shameless transaction, where votes were auctioned to the highest bidder. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate, aptly described the event as a "bidding war" for votes between the two dominant parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This "election" is yet another confirmation that Nigeria’s democracy has been hijacked by political entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of…
Monday, 16 September 2024 04:31
Editorial: The fairy tale of the adventures of BAT and RAT
In the heart of Nigeria, where multidimensional poverty tightens its grip on the bellies of over 130 million souls, two creatures have made Aso Rock their lavish haven. The Bat and the Rat—the power couple—perch high above the suffering masses, oblivious to the devastation their extravagance leaves in its wake. The symbolism couldn’t be more apt: the Bat, a sneaky, nocturnal creature with an eye for mischief, and the Rat, a notorious destroyer of things at homes, gnawing away at what little remains of the nation's wealth. Nigeria is in a state of misery. Hunger stalks the streets like an…
Wednesday, 11 September 2024 04:31
Editorial: Tinubu's assault on democracy and Nigeria’s descent into tyranny
In a chilling echo of Nigeria's darkest days under military rule, President Bola Tinubu's administration has unleashed a wave of repression that threatens to strangle the very democracy he once fought to establish. The recent spate of arrests, detentions, and intimidation of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations paints a grim picture of a government spiraling towards authoritarianism. The arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the brazen raid on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of governmental overreach. These actions, coupled…