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Too Many Killings, Too Little Accountability: Nigeria’s Security Tragedy

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Si nce 2009, Nigeria has seen a steady descent into violence — from Boko Haram’s insurgency to the herdsmen crisis, banditry, kidnappings, and regional unrest. This long-form essay draws from personal experience, historical events, and current realities to examine what has gone wrong with Nigeria’s security architecture and why. It’s not just about bad policy; it’s about leadership, ideology, silence, and systemic failure. The Genesis Nigeria’s security situation took a nosedive beginning in 2009. It was the period Boko Haram began to rear its ugly head. I remember that year vividly — I was a youth corps member serving in one of the northern states. There was slight tension in our area on one of those days. Information would later trickle in that some people were propagating a variant form of Islam, contrary to what was the norm. We would later see some soldiers at night around our lodges. To be honest, I was totally ignorant of what all of that meant or the possible future impact. E...
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Two Years On: Breaking Down President Tinubu's Second Year Anniversary Speech

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As President Bola Tinubu marked two years in office, his administration highlighted the gains of reform. But do the numbers on paper reflect reality in the markets and homes of everyday Nigerians? This piece breaks down the president's claims and what the evidence shows . Understanding the Thematic Focus of Tinubu's Speeches As expected, May 29 marked two years of President Bola Tinubu in office, and we were treated to an anniversary speech. I personally like to look into the speeches of our leaders because, as the saying goes, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." It gives me the opportunity to know what is going on in their minds and how they perceive things. To start with, I have come to appreciate the thematic structure President Tinubu's speeches have taken because it helps us to deal with one particular issue at a given time. This is different from the time of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, when issues were lumped together in his speeche...
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Making Sense of Atiku’s Alleged Vice Presidential Offer to Peter Obi: A 2027 Election Gamechanger?

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  Atiku Abubakar’s reported offer of the vice presidential ticket to Peter Obi has stirred political debates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. What does this mean for Obi’s supporters, the opposition coalition, and Nigeria’s political landscape? I break it down. Atiku's Alleged VP Offer to Obi When I read the news about this offer as reported by The Punch Newspaper on May 19th, 2025, the first thing that came to my mind was: "The Obidients are not going to like this." And true to fact, a number of Obi’s supporters on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter)—are already writing open letters to him, warning against accepting any offer short of a presidential ticket, or else they’ll withdraw their support for him in 2027. Why the Obidients Are Unhappy Their reasons are not far-fetched: Obi, in their estimation, is the only one who can rescue Nigeria . They are already reminding him of how hard they laboured to campaign and vote for him in 2023. Now, there is ...
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New Podcast Episode – Listen Now!

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Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government. Is it the Change We Need or Just More Political Talk? 🎧 Catch the Podcast Version Spreaker: Listen here Spotify: Open on Spotify YouTube: Watch the video 🔗 Stay Connected with Me All my podcast platforms and social links in one place 👉 linktr.ee/NjidekaMaduka
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Location: Nigeria
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Shadow Government in Nigeria:Pat Utomi's Move

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The Announcement  On Monday, May 6, 2025, renowned political economist Professor Pat Utomi announced the creation of what he called a shadow government. According to Utomi, this shadow cabinet will consist of professionals and opposition figures from various parties, tasked with scrutinizing government actions, identifying policy failures, and proposing alternative solutions in critical sectors like the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law and order, and constitutional reform. He appointed human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi to head the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio, while names like Cheta Nwanze, Halima Ahmed, and David Okonkwo feature prominently in the Policy Delivery Unit. Other experts and professionals that will form the shadow cabinet include: Dr Adefolusade Adebayo, Dr Peter Agadah, Dr Sadiq Gombe, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Salvation Alibor, Bilkisu Magoro, Dr Victor Tubo, Charles Odibo, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Eunice Atuejide, Gbenga Ajayi, Dr Mani Ahmad, Pe...
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Location: Nigeria
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Analyzing the Operations of Agunaechemba(Anambra Security Outfit) Since Inauguration

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Launch of Agunaechemba and Operation Udo Ga Achi On January 18, 2025, the Anambra State government formally launched the Agunaechemba Security Outfit—a community-based security architecture established under an equally newly signed Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025. The same day, the governor also launched a new security operation known as Operation Udo Ga Achi made up of 2000 personnel from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and troops of the Nigerian army, among others. The initiative came as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s broader commitment to reclaim public spaces from criminal elements, particularly in flashpoint areas across the state.  Early Gains and High-Profile Operations In just a few months of operations, the Agunechemba outfit has recorded notable achievements. Their crackdowns on violent gangs have led to the recovery of weapons, rescue of kidnap victims, and restoration of relative peace in several troubled communities. One o...
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Searching for True Democracy: An African Perspective

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Democracy is often hailed as the best system of governance, celebrated for empowering citizens to actively participate in decision-making. At its heart, democracy is built on ideals of rule by the people and for the people, rooted in principles like free elections, the rule of law, human rights, and accountability. Across the world, democratic systems have spurred economic growth, social development, and political stability, offering citizens a voice and curbing the monopolization of power.  Democracy in Africa: A Historical Perspective In Africa, the journey towards democracy has been shaped by the continent's colonial history and the broader global movement toward multi-party systems in the late 20th century. Nigeria, for instance, transitioned to uninterrupted democratic governance in 1999 after enduring years of military rule. Like many African nations, it adopted the Western liberal democratic model, characterized by periodic elections, party competition, and individual freedo...
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