On Sunday evening, I watched the erudite Professor, Pat Utomi, political economist and former presidential candidate share his views on the state of the nation in an Arise TV talk show hosted by Reuben Abati. Here are some thought-provoking excerpts from the hour-long conversation which I recorded and adapted for my column today: When you reach a point where public office is almost for purchase, then you’ve got a real crisis. I will dare to day that Nigeria is an existential crisis. And this is not frivolous. It’s amazing how African musicians are some of the most thoughtful and philosophical…

A high-ranking and respected official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came to see me yesterday and expressed concern about my disposition towards a Muslim/Muslim ticket. He informed me about CAN's vehement opposition to such a ticket and said that the leadership of the organisation watched my interview on Channels Television where it appeared that I was not on all fours with them. They felt this was very unlike me because they know how much I rever my faith and how much I respect CAN and its leadership and how I am usually in agreement with them on all…

Last week, they attacked an estate within Abuja. Gunmen, bandits, Boko Haram, those who “drag” sovereignty with Nigeria, attacked Genuine Estate, within the vicinity of Gwarimpa, Nigeria’s (some accounts say south of the Sahara’s) largest housing estate. They did this undisturbed and calmly, between 1 and 4am on Sunday. The police said it was a robbery attack. Residents, however, said they kidnapped some of their people. Now, we all know that robbers hardly take prisoners. It is now left for people to believe who they want to believe. But based on precedent, I will want to believe the residents because…

After last week’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) President Muhammadu Buhari wrote, profusely thanking the governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, for his yeoman role in the convention’s success. Buhari’s letter commended Bagudu for the “extraordinary role” he played in ensuring the successful conduct of the convention. Bagudu is the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, and in this role, conducted the recent national convention that ensured the victory of a man who was the “son” and protégé of the winner of the June 12, 1993 election annulled by Ibrahim Babangida and whose pallbearer was Sani Abacha. This man,…