Worries over Buhari’s candidacy

Also published in Daily Trust

                                (L-R)     Buhari, Atiku & Kwankwaso

Now that the much desired consensus among the APC’s top presidential contenders is not likely to be achieved after all, primary election to elect the party’s presidential candidate appears inevitable. Each of the opposition party’s three main presidential hopefuls, Muhammad Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Kano state Governor, Rabi’u Musa kwankwaso is busy lobbying the party’s delegates who will elect the party’s presidential candidate, in order to secure the highest number of votes and win the party’s presidential nomination in the forthcoming primary election.

Though I don’t belong to any political party as I believe that candidates should be assessed and elected based on their individual qualities rather than their partisan affiliations, yet I believe that each of the three APC’s main presidential aspirants would, if elected, perform much better than the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

‘Yan tauri and the fight against terror

Also published in Daily Trust

Though many countries struggle with Boko Haram-like terrorism, the recent exploits by some gallant vigilantes of local hunters and ‘yan tauri against Boko Haram terrorists underscore the peculiarity of the situation in Nigeria and also highlight the urgent need to explore effective local strategies to combat Boko Haram insurgency.

Similarly, the growing public support for the idea of involving ‘yan tauri and local hunters in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram reflects Nigerians’ disappointment and lack of confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Army to tackle the insurgents.

Elections in insurgency-held areas

Also published in Daily Trust

Despite the enormous coercive and tempting instruments of power at the disposal of the PDP-led federal government, which it never hesitates to employ in politically-motivated occasions, its prospect of clinging to power in next year’s presidential election faces the most serious threat as represented by the accumulated sense of frustration and disappointment being expressed by Nigerians over President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure, or inability, to tackle the country’s worsening socio-economic turmoil and political instability.  

Fortunately also, the ethno-religious trick it has often used, especially under the present administration, to further divide and sustain the disunity among people and distract them from recognizing the urgent need for a collective and relentless approach to advocating for good governance and the end to their  shared predicament of poverty, is being exposed, as a growing number of Nigerians are realizing how they have been ethnically and religiously manipulated by corrupt politicians and some vested interests masquerading as ethnic or religious leaders.

The business of ceasefire negotiations

Also published in Daily Trust

Against the backdrop of the steadily failing Nigerian state, an increasing number of unscrupulous Nigerians are growing more desperate and mischievously creative in devising means of making fast and illegal fortune even at the expense of the lives of millions of their fellow citizens.

This trend is taking more frightening dimensions as even the handling of Boko Haram crisis is being, or rather has been, turned into a highly lucrative money-making business, which explains mystery behind its persistence and alarming escalation.