Klint's

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended invited Section 182(1)(b) clearly affirms that no person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if (b) he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections... Now, this restriction appears fair enough especially given that the United States of America, a country we so desperately seek to be like at least on a surface level is widely flexible as regards the number of terms that Governors are entitled to. For instance, The Governors of states like New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are allowed unlimited terms in office. So, with Nigeria's proclivity for copying, albeit embarrassingly poorly, everything that the United States of America does, it is rather strange and of course a pleasant surprise that the drafters of the 1999 C...

On Workers' Day, the Covenant Christian Centre in line with their famed and laudable practice of having reputed intellectuals organized the now famous "The Platform". This was an ample opportunity for the problems bedevilling Nigeria to be discussed and solutions proffered. Former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi gave perhaps the most memorable and didactic speech at the event particularly on the need to reduce the cost of Government in the Country and subsequently boost savings. On the face of it, this was an excellent and harmless speech which ordinarily should spur us as a country to do things right. Well, this is Nigeria and the lessons that should naturally be gained were thrown to the dustbin while extensive research was undertaken to impugn the character of the Speaker. Perhaps, Mr Peter Obi's greatest mistake was using personal examples of his own " frugality " and proclivity for minimum spending as an individual and during his time as Gover...

Apologies to Mr Peter Obi for using this catchy but thought provoking phrase that he used the very first time he contested for the Governorship of Anambra State. Apparently, that question he asked over ten years ago still hangs over not just his Anambra State but Nigeria as a whole. On a Night like this, 56 years ago, there was probably a sickening nostalgia all over the then British Colony which would later become the Country, Nigeria about the endless possibilities that accompany Independence, especially in a Country that is as endowed as ours. Well, Tomorrow will be exactly 56 years since Nigeria attained independent status from Great Britain. At Independence, our founding fathers such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo had such lofty goals and dreams for our progress, prosperity: they conceived a Nigeria that would maximize her enormous human capital resources: A Nigeria that would truly cater for the hopes and aspirations of her diverse peoples: A Nigeria that...

I don't think that I've ever been divided within me about writing a piece as I am about this one. Should I write or should I not write? Anyways, I traverse! Barring any last minute "boju boju", the Edo State Governorship election will come up tomorrow, the 28th of September, 2016. And that is the source of my dilemma: I really don't know whom to support or if I should support any. Should I support The PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu who happens to be a UNIBEN Law graduate and who is immensely popular among some of my folks or should I support the APC Candidate, Godwin Obaseki who is the anointed of incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Really, I doubt my stakes in the election: I'm not even from Edo State but perhaps, it won't hurt to lend my voice. The PDP candidate I hear is thoroughly grounded in the Politics of Edo State and he has an in depth knowledge of the internal workings of Government, and to that end, would make a perfect fit for t...

A few days back, I was walking through a beer parlour when I heard some of the men talking in an overly enthusiastic manner. From my experience, alcohol does not arouse such enthusiasm and excitement, especially with the shape of our economy. I took a pause to understand the reason for their excitement and to say the least, I was ashamed. I was ashamed that grown up Nigerian men were excited because of a blind piece of news that the notorious Niger Delta Avengers were killing Nigerian soldiers in the Niger Delta. I couldn't understand what special joy they derived, and really, at that moment, I couldn't help but question the possibilities of a once again strong and United Nigeria. These were Nigerians (I don't care whether they claim otherwise) who were rejoicing at the "exploits" of a band of economic saboteurs. The other day, a senior cousin ecstatically affirmed that the Nigerian army in all their might and firepower would never defeat the avengers. Now, ...

In the build up to the 2015 Presidential Election of Nigeria, my younger brother, Jeff was perhaps the most passionate supporter of the then candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhhamadu Buhari, who is now addressed as President Muhammadu Buhari. It was not just him; every member of my immediate Family with the exception of my Mother was almost driven to the point of fanaticism in their support for Buhari; Jeff in particular took the pains of reading Buhari's biography and his committed support for Buhari was surprising to me, at least for his age. Well, it's almost 16 months since General Buhari became President Buhari and Jeff has become critical of him and his performance. Of course, that's the way it should be! When the Government is underperforming, it is only normal for us as citizens to complain and criticize. Without a doubt, the President has let a good number of us who supported him down! This is hard to admit but in all honesty, even the mos...

                                                                                                                    It is true that Nigeria is plagued with corruption, not to mention other malignant factors aiming to halt the growth of the economy materially, technologically, spiritually,what-have-you? An attempt to adopt an eclectic solution to all of the nation's problems is an act of tilting at windmills; it is nearl...