Mind, Body and Country by Njideka Maduka

As Nigeria steadily approaches another critical election season, political realignments and power plays are beginning to take center stage. Among the most talked-about developments is the formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition — a bloc of political heavyweights and parties positioning themselves as a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. With names like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai associated with it, the coalition has sparked widespread debate about its prospects, its internal dynamics, and what it could mean for the nation’s political future. Biggest Political News The biggest political headline at the beginning of July this year was the emergence of a coalition that is ready to battle it out with the incumbent president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2027 election. It was a notable moment given the uncertainty that had trailed its emergence. Early Rumours and First Confirmation First off, some of its members, in...

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...

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...