The strangeness of democratic change By Tatalo Alamu

by  Tatalo Alamu
God bless Honore de Balzac, wherever he may be at this moment. The great French novelist lived the impossible contradictions of post-revolutionary France as if he was himself a character in a great novel. In order to chronicle for posterity the tormenting improbabilities of his beloved nation with as much fidelity and accuracy as possible, Balzac simply appointed himself a honorary secretary of the society. From this vantage observatory and ringside listening post, Balzac began churning out great historical novels.
But so consumed was the great man by this moveable feast of superior reality that at the end of his life, Balzac was no longer able to separate reality from fiction. On his death bed, Balzac was heard screaming for his favourite physician to come and attend to him. “ Call me Banchioc!! Only Banchioc can save me now!” But there was a minor problem. Banchioc indeed was not a life or living doctor. He was actually one of Balzac’s own greatest fictional creations.

Much Ado About Buhari’s Ministerial List By Jaafar Jaafar

By Jaafar Jaafar

Politically speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list is okay. Merit nko? Mba! Well, I always want to see a flavour of politics added to a political cocktail. That makes it sweeter.
Of course, I notice some imbalances, but there is counterbalancing in the list. I also notice reward for hardwork and dedication to a political cause, just as I smell a tinge of nepotism.
I hate talking about religion in a political discourse. Sadly, religion and politics in Nigeria are like rim and tyre — they go together. But the best way to get a better understanding of the discourse is to talk about the stark reality. If religion is not relevant to Nigerian politics, perhaps the name, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, wouldn’t have been on the national spotlight.

Deconstructing Diezani: Why Alison-Madueke is the most powerful woman in the country by Wilfred Okiche

by Wilfred Okiche

                                              first published on 7 June 2014

There are a number of theories about why DAM remains untouchable by the GEJ administration, even in the face of countless compelling reasons for the former to step aside. Her closeness to the president is unrivalled, and there have been rumours of a familial or romantic connection.

From the moment she was appointed Nigeria’s first female Minister of Petroleum Resources, it was clear that Diezani Alison-Madueke was going to have a rough ride. The petroleum sector, an all boys club if ever there was one, for most of its history, has been the life blood of Nigeria’s economy. Contributing about 14.4% to the country’s total rebased GDP, and oiling its vicious political machinery, the sector is so critical and valuable that former president Olusegun Obasanjo acted as his own Petroleum Minister for 7 of the 8 years of his presidency, trusting no man (or woman) to head the ministry.

EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, arrested in London - premiumtimesng.com

Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke

RELATED NEWS

Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke, denies seeking asylum; says she’s going nowhereApril 22, 2015

Presidential directives not law, can be disregarded – Petroleum Minister, Alison-MaduekeFebruary 13, 2014

Jonathan’s former CSO denies role in $6.9m ‘mobile stage scandal'August 31, 2015

Missing $20 bn: Sanusi faults Alison-Madueke, says audit report proves at least $18.5bn lostMay 14, 2015

Fuel Crisis: Oil workers accuse Nigerian govt. of blackmailMay 29, 2015

The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Friday arrested in London, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively and authoritatively report.

The former minister, who was one of the most powerful officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arrested Friday morning alongside four other people by the British law enforcement agency.

The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could be immediately ascertained.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt she was arrested for offences related to bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency

Emir Sanusi: Raising dust in water By Jaafar Jaafar

 By Jaafar Jaafar

I have made this argument about a year ago when the rumor of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi’s marriage to a “minor” raised some dusts. The age of consent varies according to culture and religion, I had argued.

 I don’t know why one would combust energy criticizing cultural practices that are contrary to his religion, culture or warped intuition. Nigeria has two major religions which don’t prohibit marriage at the age of 18. The constitution doesn’t also prohibit it.

Writing about age of consent, Professors Richard Wortley and Stephen Smallbone said girls married very young in European society prior to19th century

Buhari’s baptism of fire revisited by Mohammed Adamu

by Mohammed Adamu

(08035892325 sms only) | dankande2@gmail.com

As I still struggle to come out of Sallah mood, I thought I should serve you a slightly rejigged version of Buhari’s baptism of fire, published sometime after Saraki’s emergence. Now that the ‘usurper’ Senate President stews in his own pot –or as the English would say ‘as he is being hoisted in his own petered’, I thought we should take a look again at Parliament and its many headaches. Enjoy.

“Soon after Gen. Buhari became President-Elect, I wrote four pieces almost in a sequence, viz: ‘BEFORE WE CRUCIFY BUHARI’; ‘BUHARI: BEWARE PARLIAMENT’; ‘BUHARI AND THE EIGHT PARLIAMENT’ and ‘THE JUDICIARY WAITING FOR BUHARI’. While appraising the different theoretical presumptions and practical realities about the democratic, the legislative and the judicial processes of government I tried variously to provide the basis –with the advent of Buhari- for caution against the expectation of quick democratic dividend. I also tried to warn that the Legislature, unless it is handled by sticks-and-carrots, could be a systemic drag rather than an incentive to our democracy