Category: Politics

Change, Politics

From Kano with Blood

Jilomes

In Sarah Vowell’s “The Wordy Shipmates”, she said, “The only thing more dangerous than an idea is a belief. And by dangerous, I don’t mean thought-provoking. I mean: might get people killed”. When a belief is so immanent that even if an illogicality is pointed out, the believer allows no room for tolerant discourse, chaos can result. This is true whether the belief concerns Christianity, Islam, atheism, agnosticism, science or any other religion. Thanks to a reprehensible belief, a life has been gruesomely ended in Kano. Continue reading “From Kano with Blood” →

Change, Politics

Celebrating an Elusive Change

Jilomes

“Gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam!” May 29, 2015, the military’s parade drums heralded the entry of Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state, now executive President of the Unitarily Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the course of the election campaigns, he and the APC had offered Nigerians a new era. That promise of “change” was reinforced in his inspiring inauguration speech. 366 days after Buhari’s triumphant entry, Nigerians wait for a change that still eludes them. Continue reading “Celebrating an Elusive Change” →

Change, Politics

Changing the Change that Changed the Change

Jilomes

When political parties choose slogans, it is expected that some form of intellectual energy is expended in the search for a worthy slogan. A party’s slogan captures its essence (real or make-believe). For years, the People’s Democratic Party blasted the airwaves with “Power to the People”. Now, a year after being knocked off its pedestal, the PDP wants to “Change the Change”. Continue reading “Changing the Change that Changed the Change” →

Politics

Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike

Jilomes

For decades, organized labour has served as a bulwark for the common person. Labour unions via friendly negotiations and unfriendly negotiations forced by strike threats and actual strikes have changed government position one time too many. However, that an entity is called a labour union does not mean that every decision would ultimately benefit the masses. Here is a situation where I think Nigeria’s organized labour is making a mistake. Continue reading “Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike” →

Change, Politics

There Was a Subsidy

Jilomes

The Nigerian political sphere is characterized by intrigues and bizarre plots. In most of these political plots, the plight of the common Nigerian is hardly considered. It’s all about politics. One man removed petroleum subsidy, and fled back after intense opposition. Another claimed subsidy did not exist, yet paid huge sums as subsidy. Mr. Thomas has now seen the light. He now agrees that there was a subsidy. Continue reading “There Was a Subsidy” →

Politics

NDA: Double Wahala for Dead Body

Jilomes

When afrobeat legend Fela used the phrase “double wahala for dead body”, he must have thought of suffering that continues after death. That is akin to the Game of Thrones’ Wights who are dead people facing the prospect of another death. We can also think of buried bodies that are dug up and body parts stolen for creepy purposes. That’s truly double wahala—rest eluding the dead. Continue reading “NDA: Double Wahala for Dead Body” →

Change, Politics

Now That We Have a Budget

Jilomes

Never in the history of Nigeria have Nigerians witnessed the kind of drama that surrounded the 2016 budgeting process. The budget was in the news even before the first word was typed, and continued to stay in the limelight after its presentation, thanks to fluffy unsanitary pads and bickering by the presidency and the legislature. Like Paul Cezanne wrote, “we [truly] live in a rainbow of chaos”. Some say that chaos produces order. The validity of this statement regarding this budget remains to be seen in its implementation. Continue reading “Now That We Have a Budget” →

Politics

The Fulani Question: A Tale of the “Left Behinds”

Jilomes

If anyone ventured here to read the rantings of a “tribalist”, I am happy to disappoint such a person. It behoves me first, to state clearly that I do not believe in the superiority of one tribe over another, nor do I ascribe to the fallacy that a tribe can be so inherently evil that no good person can be found in it. Nevertheless, for some time now, the Fulanis have made the news headlines their virtual home, effectively becoming inglorious pains in the longsuffering asses of other Nigerians. Continue reading “The Fulani Question: A Tale of the “Left Behinds”” →

Politics

National Award for Laziness

Jilomes

For many years, self-righteous private sector players have looked down on Nigeria’s civil servants, seeing them as icons of employed joblessness. Hardworking civil servants have suffered for long under this despicable tag. Respite has now come the way of the civil service, as the national assembly has gobbled up all laziness-themed awards for 2016. With outstanding performance in the first quarter, the rest of the year is irrelevant. The “ayes” have it—our reps have won. Continue reading “National Award for Laziness” →

Change, Politics

Nigeria’s Best Budget Ever

Jilomes

In the United States, for the last couple of years, the executive and congress have enjoyed recurrent squabbles over the national budget. With a large deficit, and a worrying debt ceiling, the gladiators provide the media with enough drama for public discourse. Here in Nigeria, as fast copiers of the US system, we have just copied the drama, and raised its intensity. With its many twists and tragicomedies, the 2016 budget is obviously the best in Nigeria’s short history. Continue reading “Nigeria’s Best Budget Ever” →