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 Nigeria's Democracy Under Siege: When Politics Becomes a Struggle for Power, Not Progress Nigeria is passing through a troubling period in its democratic journey. The confusion surrounding our political system has reached a point where the legitimacy of our democracy is constantly being challenged by conflicting court judgments, endless appeals, and political battles that seem to have no end. Almost every day, Nigerians wake up to fresh legal disputes over political parties, elections, leadership positions, and now even the deregistration of political parties. Instead of strengthening democracy, these endless courtroom contests have created uncertainty and weakened public confidence in our institutions. One day, our children will ask us what truly happened to Nigeria's democracy. They will ask why so much energy, money, and time were spent on political struggles while millions of Nigerians battled hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare, and failing infrastructure. W...

Democracy Requires Responsible Opposition, Not Endless Agitation By Hon. Daniel Asekhame Democracy guarantees every citizen the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and legitimate protest. These rights are fundamental and must always be protected. However, with those rights comes a corresponding responsibility to exercise them in a manner that promotes national stability, strengthens democratic institutions, and advances the collective interest of the nation. As a believer in rapid and sustainable development, I hold the view that once elections have been concluded, all legal challenges have been exhausted, and a President or Governor has been duly sworn into office, every patriotic citizen should place the country's progress above political differences. Constructive engagement should replace endless political confrontation. This is why I do not support the style of opposition politics associated with Omoyele Sowore. In my opinion, frequent calls for p...

  Akara Is Not an Economic Policy: A Response to the First Lady's Remarks By Hon. Daniel Asekhame The recent suggestion by Nigeria's First Lady that recipients of her grants should establish akara businesses has generated widespread debate across the country. While there is nothing dishonorable about selling akara—indeed, it is a respectable means of earning a living—the statement raises deeper questions about the direction of economic leadership and the scale of solutions being offered to Nigerians facing unprecedented hardship. Nigeria is grappling with soaring inflation, high unemployment, rising food prices, a weakened currency, and growing insecurity. Millions of citizens, including university graduates and skilled professionals, are struggling to survive. In this context, presenting akara trading as a major pathway to economic empowerment risks appearing disconnected from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians. Entrepreneurship is important, and small businesses des...

  Nigeria's Highways of Fear: A Nation Under Siege By Hon. Daniel Asekhame There was a time in Nigeria when the mere mention of notorious armed robbers sent fear across the country. Names like Dr. Ishola Oyenusi and Lawrence Anini became synonymous with violent crime. Their exploits dominated newspaper headlines, and their eventual capture gave Nigerians hope that law enforcement could prevail over criminality. Today, however, the security landscape has changed dramatically. The fear that once centred on a handful of armed robbers has evolved into a nationwide crisis involving armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and attacks on innocent travellers. For many Nigerians, embarking on a journey by road has become an exercise in faith rather than a routine means of transportation. During the 1970s and 1980s, armed robbery was the country's greatest security concern. Criminals such as Dr. Ishola Oyenusi and Lawrence Anini terrorized communities and highways, but their...

Why Nigeria Needs Stronger Security Measures to Defeat Insurgency and Kidnapping Nigeria is facing one of the most serious security challenges in its history. Across different regions of the country, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the abduction of school children have created fear, disrupted economic activities, and weakened public confidence in government institutions. The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government, and extraordinary threats sometimes require extraordinary responses. One of the strongest arguments for a more security-focused state is the need to restore law and order. Criminal groups have exploited weak enforcement mechanisms, porous borders, inadequate intelligence gathering, and limited coordination among security agencies. As a result, terrorists and kidnappers have been able to operate in many communities with relative ease. Strengthening state authority would enable security agencies to act more decisively a...

  kidnapping of school children has become one of the most disturbing security challenges facing Nigeria in recent years. What was once considered an isolated criminal activity has evolved into a recurring national crisis that threatens the safety of children, weakens public confidence in government, and undermines the country's educational system. Across different parts of the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, armed groups have repeatedly targeted schools, abducting hundreds of students at a time. These incidents have created fear among parents, teachers, and students, forcing many schools to close temporarily or permanently. The result is that thousands of children have been denied access to education, further worsening the problem of out-of-school children in the country. The trend has also exposed weaknesses in Nigeria's security architecture. Many schools, especially those in rural communities, lack adequate protection and are vulnerable to attacks. Criminal group...