Editorial

Friday, 14 February 2025 05:02

Editorial: Oh, so it pains you too, Ribadu?

Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), has just had his first taste of what ordinary Nigerians endure daily at foreign embassies. And, oh, how it stings! His outburst yesterday—“They can go to hell!”—after Canada denied visas to Nigeria’s defence chief, Christopher Musa, and other top military officers, is nothing short of poetic justice. Welcome, dear sir, to the world of humiliation, endless rejections, and embassy-induced heartbreaks that regular Nigerians face while trying to escape the mess your ruling class has turned the country into. For years, ordinary citizens have been treated like unwanted visitors by embassies worldwide, all thanks…

Monday, 27 January 2025 04:51

Editorial: VAT sharing formula - balancing equity, justice, and national integration

The ongoing debate over the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula in Nigeria highlights deep-seated tensions between equity, justice, and national integration. The current system, which redistributes VAT revenue disproportionately, has sparked significant controversy, particularly between states that contribute heavily to the VAT pool and those that benefit more from redistribution. The proposals by President Bola Tinubu and the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) reflect differing priorities, with Tinubu emphasizing derivation (60%) and the NGF advocating for equality (50%). To address these issues, a balanced VAT sharing formula must prioritize national integration while ensuring equity and justice. Key Issues in the…

Monday, 20 January 2025 04:56

Editorial: When power is cut from the seat of power

Behold, the once-glowing beacon of governance in Abuja—the Presidential Villa—was plunged into darkness. Not metaphorically this time (although there’s an argument to be made), but literally. The theft of 40 meters of power cables supplying electricity to the nerve center of Nigeria’s political power left its occupants fumbling for flashlights and wondering what it felt like to live like the average Nigerian. Spoiler alert: it’s not fun. How poetic that the very symbol of power became powerless, brought low not by international intrigue or high-level espionage, but by the humble efforts of vandals armed with wire cutters and a keen…

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…

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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…

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…

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