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The Rise of Political Wage Earners in Nigeria

 There was a time when politics in Nigeria was about ideas, conviction, and service. Now, it’s about survival. Poverty has turned many ordinary Nigerians into full-time or part-time political employees; professional loyalists who defend failure, sell lies, and trade conscience for crumbs. This article is not about party politics, nor is it aimed at any political group. It is about a societal decay, one where truth and livelihood now depend on political loyalty. A nation where the poor, instead of holding leaders accountable, now serve as their unpaid public relations officers. The System Behind the Dependence This culture of dependency didn’t happen by accident; the ruling class designed it. By deliberately blurring the line between governance and party politics, they converted national resources into party assets. Allocations meant for the general populace are often diverted into the pockets of loyalists and “mobilisers.” Civil servants and local government employees now know that...
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Defection or Deception? Nigeria’s March Toward a One-Party State.

 A recent report in one of Nigeria’s leading dailies revealed that a state governor, his deputy, all political officeholders in the state, a former governor, and an elder statesman have defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is no wonder that this political crossing is happening, owing to the fact that the next general elections are barely 22 months away. The idea of politicians and public officeholders making such moves is not surprising as it has become a traditional trend in Nigeria. Party defections in Nigeria date back to the First Republic (1960–1966), where ideological alignment and regional interests often influenced politicians to switch parties. However, the trend became more pronounced during the Second Republic (1979–1983), when politicians frequently jumped ship in pursuit of political survival or access to power. In the Fourth Republic, which began in 1999, defections have become a recurring feature of the N...
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Nigeria, Why Does Your Economic Reality Contradict Your On-Paper Statistics?

 The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released Nigeria's economic report for the last quarter of 2024. According to the report, there has been an improvement in the country's GDP, but the economic reality tells a different story. In simple terms, a country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is like a scorecard showing how much money the country makes from goods (like oil, food, and manufacturing) and services (like exports, healthcare, and airlines). It’s a measure of how rich or poor a country is and how well its economy is performing. If a country's GDP is growing, it typically means the country is making more money. But here’s the contradiction: in a country where inflation is over 35%, where the currency ranks among the weakest in Africa—if not the world—and where more than 65% of citizens live below the poverty line, how is robust GDP growth being calculated? Between December 2023, when GDP growth was reported at 2.3%, and November 2024, when it supposedly ...
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Life of a typical Nigerian.

Masquerading fear with anger Displaying hatred with fanaticism.  A painted smile conceals the depth of depression.  We are a very hardworking people, but full of corruption and injustice.  Our prayers echo louder than the resonance of effort put into work. We complain a lot, but repeats the same blunder every four years cycle.  There's no excuse for the corruption that has eaten deep into us. And there's also no justification for a hard labour, that could barely feed us adequately, when there are other basic needs to be met. We all know the path of righteousness, but the struggle to survive is intense, and so, it's survival of the fittest. We are a mirror reflecting the leadership we critique, In the paradox, we are both critic and reflection. Love proclaimed in religious rhythms, aren't we a zealous religious people? But it is all man for himself. An injury to one, is a distant ripple, insignificant, so far it doesn't affect us directly. “God bless Nigeria, but my ...
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A hopeless renewed hope.

The sole purpose of government is to represent the interest of the masses, and make living as comfortable as possible. - Olutoye Emmanuel The reality of the APC government in Nigeria since assuming power in 2015 has been far from the above mentioned ideal. Instead of delivering on its promises and bringing hope to Nigerians, the APC government has presided over a period of economic decline, rising costs of living, and broken dreams for the common man. Prior to President Muhammadu Buhari's assumption of power in 2015, Nigeria enjoyed a relatively stable economic environment. The exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar was reasonable, and the cost of essential goods, including fuel and food, was more affordable. However, under the APC's governance, inflation soared, leading to increased costs of living for ordinary citizens. The once affordable bag of rice now cost as much as thirty-five thousand Naira, and the exchange rate plummeted to an alarming 880 Naira to 1 dollar, causin...
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Former president Muhammadu Buhari, we are not cows, hence cannot be controlled easily.

In the realm of responsible leadership, accountability and action-taking are crucial attributes. Leaders who prioritize accountability address issues directly, rather than deflecting blame onto others. Unfortunately, in this part of the world, leaders evade responsibility and burden the masses with their own leadership failures. Former President Muhammadu Buhari's repeated attempts to lead Nigeria should have equipped him with an understanding of the complex nature of the Nigerian people and the responsibilities of the presidency. His leadership shortcomings undeniably affected various aspects of Nigerian society. Nigeria is a Multidimensional nation, characterized by its diversity in language, religion, customs, approaches, and beliefs. Any leader must recognize the immense challenge of governing such a multifaceted population. Consequently, there can be no excuse for leadership incompetence or shifting blame onto the masses. Security Challenges: During his campaign, Buhari pledge...
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Evaluating Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari's Administrations.

The leadership of a nation plays a crucial role in shaping its trajectory and addressing key issues. The administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari brought their unique approaches and policies to various aspects of governance. This write-up provides a comprehensive assessment of their performances in areas such as education, economy, security, inflation, food security, healthcare, fiscal spending, employment, and poverty rate. By examining the strengths and challenges of each administration, we can determine which one performed better in these key areas. 1. Education: Striving for Access and Quality Improvement Goodluck Jonathan's administration focused on improving access to education by establishing additional universities and implementing programs to increase school enrollment. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and low educational standards persisted, hampering the overall quality of education. President Buhari's administration co...
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