BEYOND THE 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, by Yinka Ogunlana

By Yinka Ogunlana

Elections! Elections!! Elections!!! On the 28th March, 2015 Nigeria once again witnessed another wrestle of power in her political space, but this time, it was the battle of the fittest as the people’s choice determined the winner.

Many Nigerians became enthusiastic about the election process as some attended rallies, some stayed glued to their television set, some to their radio set, some to the newspapers and some even surfed the internet rigorously to stay turned with political events such as campaigns, rallies, conferences and news of political actors such as their decamp, comments, speeches among others.

Of a truth, the election was never as heated compared to what the electorates and even the politicians used to experience. However, we heard promises upon promises, several manifestos among other good will messages from different political parties. Though it’s not a surprise because many Nigerian politicians have always been desperate to either retain power or assume power. Politically, speaking, this is what ought to be as political parties are meant to keep the nation politically alive and active, though we cannot over-emphasize the fact that many of these political parties in their quest for power have bridged the rules guiding the game of polities as molestation, threat, blackmail, political violence and assassination of political opponents has gradually become a norm in our current political dispensation, most especially during the pre-election exercises of the 2015 general election. Continue reading “BEYOND THE 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, by Yinka Ogunlana”

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21 Reasons Why the Government Must #BringBackOurGirls Now! by Darasimi Oshodi

Darasimi Oshodi

BringbackourgirlsFour over months now, more than a hundred schoolgirls have been abducted from a school in Chibok, Borno State and there are no signs of them returning anytime soon. Some parents of the girls have died, with other apparently going through untold pains but the government seems to be at a loss as to how to secure the freedom of the innocent girls. What the girls are going through in captivity is best imagined. The deprivations they must be experiencing and the reality of being forcefully separated from their loved ones must be overwhelming for the girls and this is the reason I am giving 21 reasons why the government must #BringBackOurGirls NOW:

  1. It is long overdue.
  2. The girls have done nothing wrong by going to school.
  3. The girls’ morale would have been totally destroyed
  4. The girls may become brainwashed and dangerous to the society.
  5. The temptation to abuse or rape the girls by the abductors increases every day.
  6. It will show that the government still places some value on human lives.
  7. It will demonstrate that the government is still in charge of every part of Nigeria.
  8. The parents of these girls have been through serious emotional turmoil and psychological stress.
  9. The parents of the girls (and even the girls) can enjoy sound sleep.
  10. Girls in the northern part of Nigeria will not be afraid to go to school.
  11. Failure to secure their release will have negative consequences for the Peoples Democratic Party.
  12. It will save the president’s face a little in the forthcoming presidential election.
  13. It will send a strong signal to Boko Haram that they can’t get away with abductions.
  14. Everyone who has been involved in the agitation for the release of the girls will be able to divert their time and energy to thinking about ways to move our country forward.
  15. It will restore our pride before the international community.
  16. Government will stop spending money on efforts geared towards securing the release of the girls.
  17. Malala’s visit to Nigeria would have been a success.
  18. The First Lady’s tears would not be in vain.
  19. The president and his wife will no longer be bound by their promise not to sleep until the girls are found.
  20. Government spokespersons will have no reasons to misinform Nigerians about the girls’ situation.
  21. Law enforcement officers will no longer have a crisis of conscience since they will no longer be asked to arrest innocent #BringBackOurGirls campaigners.

Continue reading “21 Reasons Why the Government Must #BringBackOurGirls Now! by Darasimi Oshodi”

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