The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Opinion

  • Soludo: Fighting Voter Apathy, Not Buying Votes [OPINION]

    Soludo: Fighting Voter Apathy, Not Buying Votes [OPINION]

    By Christian Aburime 

    Politics is that volatile turf where sentiments, propaganda, and innuendos often take centre stage in an election season. In this part of the world, the political game gets even more sinister as heightened sensibilities rush to react to every contentious news story to create warped impressions that desperate politicians exploit to denigrate their opponents.

    Thus is the perfect example of those making a mountain out of a molehill. Now, in the lead-up to the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has been unfairly attacked with allegations of vote buying via incentivisation. The claims are not only baseless but also a significant misrepresentation of his intentions and actions. It is essential to examine the contexts and clarify the true nature of the incentives mentioned by Governor Soludo, which are entirely legitimate and in line with democratic principles.

    During a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, Governor Soludo spoke about providing financial incentives to his party members. He stated, “When we were campaigning for the Senate, we knew we were going to win every ward in the South Senatorial Zone, but we still had some incentives. Any ward that APGA won received N1m, and we won all the wards in Orumba South. We promised each of these wards N1m, and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get N5m, the second N3m, and the third N2m. That was the deal. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive N1m, while the first three performing wards will get N5m, N2m, and N1m, respectively.” What a discerning reader would notice in the foregoing statements is the clause “we will redeem it.” This means that wards may have been won, but the rewards come only later, not before.

    Yet, immediately after the Umunze rally, the news went viral that the Governor was engaged in vote-buying. Impulsive outbursts took over as every opinionated critic kicked with an opinion. As typical of Nigerian political discourse, misrepresentations and vilifications spiralled out of control.

    Surprised, Governor Soludo later clarified his position at an APGA rally in Onitsha North Local Government area. He emphasized that the incentives promised were not meant to buy votes but to motivate party canvassers to mobilise voters. He stated, “Don’t sit at home and say Soludo has won. No, we have not won until you have voted. Do you still have your PVC?” He further explained, “We in the APGA, we stand for one man, one vote, transparent, free and fair election. We are going to cooperate with INEC to make sure that this will be the freest, most credible election ever conducted by INEC.” Now, do these statements sound like someone trying to compromise voters?

    Indeed, Governor Soludo likened the incentives to a manufacturer rewarding its marketers for increased sales, a legitimate exercise. He said, “That is what the prizes of APGA are about! Remember that members of political parties constitute less than 5 percent of voters. So, it is members of our political party as canvassers who are being incentivised to mobilise voters to the polling units. In politics all over the world, including America, political parties pay canvassers before elections. But in our own case, we are not paying them before the election. We say to them that if they win their wards, we will have a prize for them.” Definitely, the rewards coming for party canvassers (not voters) after the election cannot qualify as someone inducing voters before the election.

    Governor Soludo has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to a free, fair, and transparent election. He has called for cooperation with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to ensure that the election is credible and that every vote counts. He stated, “We just want people to cast the votes, count the votes, announce the votes and know who the winner will be.” His call for voters to cast their ballots and for the results to be accurately announced clearly underscores his dedication to democratic principles.

    But the real, bigger issue in all of this is voter apathy. One of the key challenges in any election in contemporary Nigeria is voter apathy. Governor Soludo’s incentives are designed to combat this issue by motivating canvassers to engage with voters and encourage participation. As he explained, “Instead of paying you upfront, we provide the incentives after the election. It’s like commission agents who earn commission on products selling. So, if you work hard and convince people to come out to vote, then we have a reward for you after the election.” This is necessary due to voter apathy which was a problem in previous elections.

    Therefore, the allegations of vote buying against Governor Chukwuma Soludo are unfounded and misleading. His statements about providing incentives are clear, noble and competition-driven: they are meant to reward the hard work of party canvassers and to combat voter apathy. These incentives are a legitimate part of campaign strategy anywhere in the world, and are in no way an attempt to bribe voters. A high-performing governor like Professor Soludo, whose impressive achievements are undeniable and winning awards, doesn’t need to buy votes to win re-election.

    With the November 8 election fast approaching, it is crucial to focus on the issues and policies that matter to Ndi Anambra, not shadows chasing. Governor Soludo’s vision for the state and his dedication to ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process should be recognised and supported, not taken out of context and spun into wild allegations.

  • A Megastar Magnifies Umuaga – By M.O Ene

    A Megastar Magnifies Umuaga – By M.O Ene

    When citizens are appointed to prominent positions, people rush to know their roots. The major appointments of Friday, October 24, 2025, were no exceptions. The military served meticulous dossiers: parents, wives, children, travels, qualifications, training, and degrees. Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the 23rd Chief of Air Staff, popped up like a supernova in a cosmic carnival destined to renew a dormant planet.

    “He hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.” Folks of Agbaja extraction (Udi/Ezeagụ LGAs mostly) identified as “Udi”—a consequential colonial division. Udi town was the administrative capital of the East before colonial colliery took the government station and its airfield down to the valleys of Udi Hills. Enugu emerged. Coal City.

    When Aneke’s root narrowed to Ụmụaga town, the gasp was loud. Although Aneke had been known in the area, encouraging youths to consider careers in the military setups, the name, rank, and town of the megastar with a brilliant resume remained intriguing. To emerge as the first Southeasterner to hold such a lofty position is no tobacco chaff.

    So, where is Ụmụaga? The town nestles on the southern end of Udi LGA. General access is off Nkwọ Agụ market/Udi technical college on old Enugu-Onitsha highway, through Sullivan Chime-macadamized main road. The two thoroughfares geolocate Ụmụaga. The southern flank is washed by Oji River, which powered the East with hydrothermal electricity. Tentatively, one can sail from Ụmụaga to the Atlantic.

    Called “Ụmụaga Obodoeze” by natives, it is one of eight communities in Udi South. According to legend, forefather Neke had seven sons, collectively called Umuneke (children of Neke). The last son, Aga, begot sons who founded villages of Ụmụaga and the eight town, Nāchị.

    Sidebar: The singular form of ‘umu’ (children) is ‘nwa’ (child). In fast-paced dialects, ‘nwa’ becomes ‘wa’—as in some Abia, Enugu, and Ikwere parlances. Similarly, ‘w’ fades. So, ‘nwa Neke’ (son of Neke) becomes “a’Neke,” as in “Yar’Adua” but written as ‘Aneke.’

    Someone asked succinctly: What is in this for Ụmụaga? By magnifying Ụmụaga, AVM Aneke is a shining light that reveals human potentials, vast land resources, best palm wine (‘anekeachime’), food delicacies, and its vibrant cultural heritage: ‘Iheaneke’ masquerade festival, youth-fascinating ‘Okomọyọ,’ new yam festival (‘Ajụ’), and end-of-year entertainments, especially inter-village soccer sponsored by Umuaga Diaspora Union—the community project powerhouse.

    AVM Aneke could leave an indelible mark by establishing a permanent and prestigious presence of the air force in the southeast. The civil aviation activities at Akanu Ibiam International Airport should not constrain the air force base and the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS). Such an institution deserves ample open space.

    IHFS should soar up the hills, where aviation began in colonial Southern Nigeria. Thus, during recruitment exercises into military establishments, there will be less complaints about the apathy of some sections of Nigerian youths. This will be an important yield from his appointment to the pinnacle of Nigerian Air Force.

    Good deeds follow good news. Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke has generated excitement. The young ones will aspire to be like him. They cannot all be air vice marshals. True: they must aspire to be marshals—marshal mechanics, marshal managers, marshal mentors and mentees… even marshal politicians. In all professions, excellence comes with hard work, honesty, humanity, and humility.

    M.O. Ene
    @OkaaMoe
    Thursday, October 30, 2025

  • [OPINION] As Nnolim Nnaji Repositions For The Future: Strategy, Constituency And Political Renewal

    [OPINION] As Nnolim Nnaji Repositions For The Future: Strategy, Constituency And Political Renewal

    By Ezefi Mike Udoh 

    In politics, timing is everything — and strategy even more so. The defection today of Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is neither an impulsive gamble nor a routine political migration. It is a deliberate recalibration, a tactical shift designed to position both the lawmaker and his constituency at the center of Nigeria’s evolving political equation.

    Rt. Hon. Nnaji, a respected parliamentarian and voice of reason in national discourse, has long stood for purposeful representation and pragmatic governance. His record speaks volumes: steadfast advocacy for infrastructural development, commitment to youth empowerment, and a reputation for integrity in legislative affairs. Yet, in an increasingly polarized political climate where access to power is synonymous with access to progress, remaining within the opposition bench risked constraining his developmental agenda for his people.

    By moving to the APC, Nnaji is not merely switching political jerseys — he is choosing effectiveness over sentiment, influence over isolation. His move symbolizes a new kind of political realism that recognizes that true service sometimes requires bold recalibration. The APC, as the party in control of the federal government, offers a wider corridor for legislative collaboration, policy influence, and constituency development.

    Critics may label this as opportunism, but the discerning mind will see it for what it truly is: strategic alignment. In Nigeria’s political ecosystem, where power and governance are often intertwined, aligning with the ruling party can mean unlocking access to federal projects, attracting infrastructural investments, and securing opportunities for one’s people. To ignore this reality would be to neglect the very essence of political representation — delivering tangible results.

    Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji’s move is therefore not a retreat from principle, but an assertion of purpose. It is a declaration that loyalty to one’s people must supersede loyalty to partisan labels. In stepping into the APC, he steps closer to the levers of national policy, ready to engage, negotiate, and deliver more robustly for his constituency.

    Ultimately, history will judge leaders not by the colors of their political banners, but by the legacies they leave behind. And for Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, this bold political realignment may very well be remembered as the defining pivot that ushered his constituency into a new era of inclusion, empowerment, and progress.

    Ezefi Mike Udoh writes from Ihunekwagu Akpugo.

  • Just Go Further – Become the Total Entrepreneur

    A Review by Oseloka H. Obaze

    The powers of the written word “highlight its ability to shape thoughts, change the world, and create lasting connections through healing, inspiration, and reflection.”  While traditional wisdom, says that “a picture tells a thousand stories,” James Lafferty, an American actor and director, surmised that “The picture alone, without the written word, leaves half the story untold.”

    We are gathered today, first, to honour and validate the importance and power of the written word. Secondly, we have an eclectic group of invitees; prospective young entrepreneurs, change makers, visionaries, and captain of industries. What is it, exactly, that pulls this group together on a Monday afternoon in Lagos?

    We have come to honour and support one of our own, Mrs. Ebele Obi. She is the author of the book being presented today, which is titled, Just Go Further- Become the Total Entrepreneur.

    My task here is very simple; to lend my voice to the ensuing conversations, and to underpin the essence of shared vision, and support in the smallest way possible, whatever dreams, aspirations, and networking opportunities, this book and this gathering may bring about.

    For the purposes of full disclosure, I had before now, been asked to co-write the foreword to this book. I did, along with Professor M.U. Adikwu.  So, kindly forgive me, if you find some of the things I may say here, already recorded in the foreword.

    At the juncture when I read the manuscript of Just Go Further- Become the Total Entrepreneur, I was, coincidentally, engrossed in the book, How Successful People Think, by John C. Maxwell. Upon request, I accepted to do the foreword, not from the author, but from her brother, and my dear friend. Ejike Onwusowulu. I recognized in reading the manuscript, that it was a manifestation of how successful people think. They share and transfer knowledge and they also motivate others to become successful. That is history. Let’s fast forward to the present.

    Rather than following the traditional book review format, I would like from the onset, to put the book being presented today in its proper context.  Just Go Further- Become the Total Entrepreneur is a motivational book written by an entrepreneur, for budding entrepreneurs.   It is by no means, the first or last book on entrepreneurship to emerge in the Nigerian literary scene.

    Yet, it is a fit-for-the purpose book. Essentially, it has three vital strands. Why? How to, and Gateways. It is a fundamental work targeted at dreamers; those who think they can become viable and trail-blazing entrepreneurs, but are hobbled by self-doubt, aspiring entrepreneur, as well as seasoned professionals who had long transcended the elemental aspects of entrepreneurship.

    To those in these categories, the book is a clarion call, to rise persevere, despite prevalent challenges, to think boldly – at times outside the box- and sometimes as outliers; but above all  to pursue one’s dream with purpose and unfettered passion.

    The 240-page book is segmented into three self-explanatory parts. Part 1: Becoming or Being an Entrepreneur; Part 2: Sustaining Growth as an Entrepreneur; and Part 3: Crossing Generations. It also has a total of 16 chapters, along with real-life interviews with successful entrepreneurs, abstracts, recommendations for further reading, references and testimonials.

    For us in Nigeria, the book speaks to the utility of free enterprise; how to do it yourself, and how to think progressively big, even in a stifling economic environment like ours. It prods our young people, to think of themselves not as prospective employees but as prospective employers in this era of start-ups, fiercely driven by innovative and disruptive technology and artificial intelligence.

    Generally, the book speaks to why: entrepreneurs start companies and the critical roles they play in any economy. Pivoting away from the “why,” the book delves with the how to: these include identifying the problems, prospects, opportunities, as well as unmet needs, and thereafter, developing the pertinent business ideas required to solve the problem or needs. These efforts, naturally follow a well-identified industry trajectory, regardless of the cadre the entrepreneurs fall into, be it the so-called Small or Medium Scale (SME) small business enterprise, social entrepreneurship, scalable startup entrepreneurship, or large company entrepreneurship.

    The author’s first sentence is poignant: “Hey, I want to take you on a journey, like on a roller coaster.” And she surely did. Like all things in life, the book recognizes that swings, obstacles and challenges will abide. And it’s only by overcoming such obstacles, including the imponderables that success can be achieved. In tackling the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the author touches on personal sacrifices required for success and growth, which she opines, might in extreme cases, include risking the ability to put food on the table.

    As she explains, “the growth period is a very sensitive period in the life of entrepreneurs,” and she draws lessons from an established entrepreneur, who cautions that “it is good to follow your passion but, your passion must put food on your table.” Regardless for how fervent your passion is, the concretization of entrepreneurial realities, require surmounting several thresholds related to preparation, marketing, execution and leadership in order to achieve success.

    Beyond the obvious entrepreneurial exhortations, Just Go Further- Become the Total Entrepreneur, is a special purpose vehicle, keen driver and motivational book aimed at those who aspire, those who are hobbled by self-doubt, and those who need a nudge to get-up and embark on a startup.  It is a do-it-yourself and how-to-do-it-right exposé. This three-part 16-chapter book is a handful, bursting with motivational insights for would-be-entrepreneurs.

    This book grapples with three critical questions every aspiring entrepreneur must contemplate. What does it take to become an Entrepreneur? How do you sustain growth as an Entrepreneur? And how do you replicate your success by transference of your skill sets, innovative ideas and methodologies in the workplace, in order to make them sustainable and cross-generational? These questions are germane, considering that the traditional definition of an enterprise is “a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated or risky.”

    Inevitably, since there are some recurring questions relative to entrepreneurial aspirations, the author attempts to offer clarity to such questions, including a rhetorical but ubiquitous question in our evolving startup and globalized world: Are entrepreneurs born or made?

    I believe the jury is still out on that question. But as we know, some of the contemporary global redoubtable entrepreneurs and unicorn company founders were not Sorbonne, Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard graduates. In reality, and this pattern seems consistent, some notable redoubtable entrepreneurs and unicorn founders, did not even graduate from High School. What they had were ideas, personal motivation and the sheer drive and audacity to run with such ideas against all odds. The resulting high valuations were usually, consequential adjuncts.

    As such, I suspect that most readers of this book will identify with the author’s assertion that “every individual is an entrepreneur? Some blossom into business owners, some show up their entrepreneurial spirit wherever they find themselves, while others simply disappear somewhere in our big global space.” Since many entrepreneurs will never self-actualize; their dreams and skills will be stillborn. It is to such persons, amongst others, that the author directs her attention.

    In very plain language, the author has identified twenty mainstream attributes of an entrepreneur, which most people will easily recognize, but might never appreciate that they posses. But this is exactly what should set anyone thinking. She prods the reader to also explore and ask some heady questions to wit; If I am — an idea generator, if I am a passionate influencer, creative and goal-oriented, if I listen well and take honest advice; if I am courageous, motivated, comfortable with change, self-assured, diligent, resourceful and persevering — Why then, do I not belong to that “group of individuals having some common characteristics and qualities and characterized as entrepreneurs? Why am I not one of those entrepreneurs who can unlock hidden potentials?

    Since no one ever embarks on an enterprise with a mission to fail, each enterprise must have a life cycle, which if not properly sequenced, should at least be measurable by certain benchmark accomplishments and its sustainability.

    Contextually, the author offers the reader and entrepreneur-to-be, extant and acceptable insights into setting up management and growth measuring tools; the so-called SMART and SMARTER indices. As she asserts, “Every entrepreneur must have an assessment document with which to measure growth and progress. This will help direct their efforts especially in terms of marketing, branding and profitability.”

    I am convinced that every eventual reader of this book will agree with me that the ultimate selling point and value of this book lay in Part 3, wherein the issues of succession are discussed. Readers will also agree that it is commonplace in business circles in Nigeria and elsewhere, to hear expressions of grave worries about enterprise sustainability and its corollary, leadership succession challenges. The author does well to underscore the importance of effective leadership and succession planning. As she stated “Succession planning and execution can also be used to forecast the future of an organization amidst many other factors that drive success and succession.”

    Part 3, will also be most invaluable even for well-established entrepreneurs, who per chance, have not done their due diligence in succession planning and therefore, are still at risk. It will also serve young entrepreneurs well, and ensure they do not encounter the pitfalls that rendered many enterprises belonging to the past generations moribund, once the founder is deceased. Another factor that is perhaps noteworthy in this context, is the global fail rates of new SMES.

    For the record, enterprise experts estimate that “20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% of small businesses fail in their second year, and 50% of small businesses fail after five years in business. Finally, 65% to 70% of small business owners fail in their 10th year in business.”  Relatedly, “Over 70% of small to micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa fold within the first 5–7 years of inception.  In Nigeria the numbers are even direr: “about 80 percent of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in Nigeria fail within the first five years of their existence due to lack of experience and other wrong business practices.”  While these figures should give us pause, they also speak to the revelatory value of this book.

    The author does ask another heady question that ought to be of interests to us all. “If at this moment you drop dead or better may be, get entangled by a life changing ailment, which renders you incapable of carrying on with your entrepreneurial activities, what will be happening in your business?” In response, the author cites as examples, the fate of three successful Nigerian family-owned enterprises, and what happened to them because they were bereft of succession planning. You have to read the book to get the rest of the gist.

    Ebele Obi has acquitted herself creditably as an inimitable live coach, business leader and mentor.  In writing Just Go Further-Become the Total Entrepreneur, Ebele Obi has made a memorable contribution to the world of public and private enterprise, in very plain and understandable language.

    Readers may variously consider Just Go Further- Become the Total Entrepreneur, a reference book, a business guide or a do-it-yourself book. Whatever assessment it garners, the volume is compellingly motivational. It speaks to the gumption required to begin and successfully traverse the often confounding and labyrinthine recesses of entrepreneurship. Yet, the book is also the sharing of the author’s personal story, experience, resilience, and entrepreneurial journey.  As she asserts, “Entrepreneurship is about mindset, courage, and consistency. This book encourages people not just to start, but to go further, to become total entrepreneurs who can thrive anywhere.”

    The enduring influence and value of this book, which will be in perpetuity, can only be described as one of infinite possibilities. The validity and veracity of the recommendations in Just Go Further-Become the Total Entrepreneur, rests largely on the fact that the author has leveraged her privileged contacts with at least seven highly regarded and successful Nigerian entrepreneurs, thus drawing on their very vast and rich collective experience.

    I believe that most readers will glean from this book, something worthwhile. It should also interest those who wish to see the high failure rate of SMEs in Africa and Nigeria reduced drastically. Perhaps, the greatest beneficiaries of Just Go Further-Become the Total Entrepreneur will include the target audience, mainly talented young adults focused on startups, unemployed graduates, and struggling entrepreneurs. This book will surely teach our young ones to think outside the box and seek to become employers of labour instead of wage-seeking employees.

    I recommend Just Go Further-Become the Total Entrepreneur highly, to all readers, especially those who seek to become Entrepreneurs.

  • Mapping Nigeria’s Sub-National IGR Race, Growth Gaps, and Governance (2022–2024)

    Mapping Nigeria’s Sub-National IGR Race, Growth Gaps, and Governance (2022–2024)

    …Enugu, Bayelsa, and Kano Lead Nigeria’s 2024 Revenue Surge.

    By David Ugwunta, Ph.D

    The 2024 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) map of Nigeria’s sub-nationals reveals stark contrasts and rising fiscal ambition. Lagos, shaded in deep blue, surged past ₦1.26 trillion, while Yobe barely crossed ₦11 billion, highlighting the uneven revenue landscape.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), total internally generated revenue for sub-nationals rose to ₦3.633 trillion in 2024, up from ₦2.427 trillion in 2023 and ₦1.926 trillion in 2022. As such, the cumulative growth rate jumped from 26.03% in 2023 to 49.70% in 2024, a net gain of 23.67%. Ten sub-nationals consistently led the IGR charge, contributing 74.53% of the national total in 2024 (₦2.71 trillion).

    Lagos remained dominant, accounting for 34.72% of national IGR and 46.59% of the top 10 in 2024. Rivers followed with ₦317.30 billion, and the FCT ranked third with ₦282.36 billion. Ogun held fourth place, while Enugu made a dramatic entrance at fifth with ₦180.50 billion, displacing Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kaduna. Akwa Ibom climbed to eighth, Kano re-entered at ninth, and Kaduna rounded out the top 10.

    Twelve (12) states rotated through the top 10 IGR performers between 2022 and 2024 based on contribution to total national IGR. Oyo and Kwara exited top 10 in 2024, suggesting either signs of fiscal stagnation or being outpaced by faster-growing states. Ogun’s slight decline contrasted with Akwa Ibom’s quiet ascent.

    A deeper dive into percentage growth dynamics shows 23 sub-nationals posted significant IGR gains in 2024. Enugu led with a staggering 415.01% growth, driven by aggressive reforms, digital systems, and expanded revenue streams. Bayelsa followed with 198.26%, and Kano rebounded with 112.1%. Osun and Jigawa gained 82.63% and 81.92% respectively. Other notable performers included Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Borno, and Sokoto at 54.48%, 51.41%, 50.54%, 49.30%, 40.86%, and 40.01% respectively.

    States like Oyo, Niger, Lagos, Anambra, and Gombe posted gains between 24.9% and 39.04%, while Kebbi, Imo, and Ogun grew modestly. Kaduna, Delta, and Edo recorded sub-10% increases, and Zamfara barely moved at 0.85%.

    On the contrast, 14 sub-nationals experienced IGR declines. Ebonyi suffered the steepest drop, plunging from 148.19% growth in 2023 to -57.27% in 2024, a net loss of -205.46%. Ekiti and Katsina fell by -78.76% and -61.39% respectively. Ondo and Kwara posted reversals of -51.84% and -47.43%. Plateau and the FCT lost momentum, declining by -41.78% and -35.98%. Others with negative growth included Kogi, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Yobe, and Cross River.

    These declines underscore the volatility of sub-national revenue generation and the risks of relying on one-time inflows or weak enforcement. They highlight the need for stronger fiscal planning, digitalization, and diversification.

    Regionally, the South-East led with an average growth of 60.87%, followed by the South-South at 51.92% and North-West at 28.96%. The North-East posted 14.26%, while the South-West managed just 5.22%. In the North-Central, despite Niger’s 31.88% gain the region ranked lowest with a -20.42% average decline as all other sub-nationals in the zone recorded negative growth.

    Nigeria’s IGR performance offers both a scoreboard and a mirror—revealing which states are innovating, which are stagnating, and the fiscal implications for development.

    Balancing Revenue Ambition with Equity, Trust, and Economic Impact
    The surge in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across many sub-nationals in 2023 and 2024 offers clear gains for governance and taxpayers alike. States like Enugu, Bayelsa, and Kano now have greater fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, enabling more responsive, localized development. A broader tax base also allows for a fairer distribution of the tax burden, where more contributors mean lighter individual loads and stronger voluntary compliance. However, without transparency and citizen engagement, rising revenues risk mismanagement or diversion, eroding trust and weakening accountability. Wide adoption of digital revenue platforms can help close these gaps by curbing leakages, reducing arbitrary charges, and making the system more efficient and transparent.

    Higher IGR demands higher accountability. In top-performing states, citizens expect visible returns on their taxes, pushing governments toward greater transparency. States that embrace automation and reform strengthen the link between taxation and service delivery. Crucially, digitization must cut both ways — not just boosting revenue collection, but also enhancing service delivery and tracking how funds are spent matching by open contracting reforms. The Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS) provide a framework, not a platform for governments to structure and publish expenditure data across the entire contracting lifecycle, from planning to implementation. When citizens, businesses, and civil society can access and analyze this data, public spending becomes more transparent and accountable. Timely release of budget performance reports and audited financial statements should be standard practice to build trust and drive efficiency. These reforms not only strengthen fiscal governance but also foster voluntary tax compliance and deepen citizen–government trust.

    Crucially, high IGR doesn’t guarantee better services as rapid IGR growth brings its own set of challenges. Aggressive tax enforcement can fuel perceptions of over-taxation, especially when public services lag behind. In many states, rising levies on businesses drive up consumer prices, straining household budgets. When revenue gains come from higher service charges like land use fees, they often hit low-income residents hardest, deepening poverty.

    Ultimately, Nigeria’s IGR landscape is no longer just a ledger of numbers, it is a reflection of leadership, equity, and the evolving social contract between government and citizen. States that pair revenue ambition with transparency, inclusive policy, and responsible spending will not only expand their fiscal base but also deepen public trust. However, when digital reforms serve merely to inflate revenue figures without improving service delivery or accountability, the result is a hollow victory. The true measure of any revenue drive lies not in how much is collected, but in how visibly it transforms lives. As governors shape the next chapter of fiscal strategy, they must lead with empathy, govern with integrity, and spend with purpose. This is because every naira collected carries the weight of public hope, and every budget line should echo the aspirations of the people.

    Okelue David Ugwunta is a Nigerian university lecturer and an economic planning specialist.

  • The Cynism in Our Public Space is Poisoning Us – By Dr. Samson Abanni

    The Cynism in Our Public Space is Poisoning Us – By Dr. Samson Abanni

    Here we prove our righteousness by branding everyone else a thief or corrupt, especially if he’s anywhere near public office.

    I truly feel that as Nigerians, we lose more when we approach all things with the implicit assumption that our leaders are inherently wicked and terrible.

    I feel we should assume ignorance or incompetence first and not malice, dishonestly or corruption, I think we shouldn’t always assume evidence-taking, a lack of it as even more evidence. Once there’s an allegation, the court of public opinion concludes the public official is guilty and thus no one pushes for a true investigation that would give the law court the evidence to throw him to jail. We give up our checkmating role because we assume he’s guilty-if he’s not immediately thrown to jail, it only proves everyone is complicit.

    Begin by assuming ignorance or incompetence. It focuses energy on problem-solving and capacity building rather than on conspiracy hunting or paralysis. It helps you listen with an open mind, which helps you find out inconsistencies or identify areas that need tightening. It reduces corrosive cynicism and social polarisation, making cooperation, training, and incremental reform more possible. Believing all to be incurable thieves paralyzes us all and shuts our brain off. The problems remain unsolved while adults wring their hands and look for an external saviour.

    The new approach will give less social tension and preserves social capital and institutional working relationships that Nigeria badly needs for service delivery.

    Why “assumed malice or wickedness, or corruption first” can look attractive and may even heighten vigilance, stronger oversight, earlier investigations and deterrence we know from experience that none of these happens here. It doesn’t make use demand more accountability, it only leads to conformation bias-once there’s an allegation we assume hes guilty.. Weare appeased just by ranting-the most powerless form of anger because fear does not allow for effective anger.

    And when the assumption that all public officers actions are with corrupt intent- it breeds cynicism, demoralises public servants, discourages honest officials, shrinks cooperation, and fuels social fragmentation.

    They ask “then why should I care in doing what’s right since they expect me to only do what’s wrong?”

    Trying the new way does not do any politician a favour but it helps us keep our sanity to really ask questions, not in malice but to really know – and this is how we can provide concrete evidence, for corruption, when one exist or for reforms.

    Dr. Samson Abanni, MBA, is a business consultant with over a decade of experience in helping startups navigate the changes of business childhood. He’s also a member of the Board of Editors of Pacesetter Frontier Magazine. 

  • 2027: Deeds and Dudes

    2027: Deeds and Dudes

    By M.O Ene 

    Before the 2011 elections, Governor Sullivan Chime found himself in a sticky situation. Ex-Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo had become the national chairman of PDP. His brother Nnia Nwodo was beefing with Chime over the wrecked Coal City Centenary celebrations, a proposal I had presented to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani in his office.

    In New York City, at an airport hotel near La Guardia, Nsukka-USA 2010 convention was held. Ex-Minister Nnia Nwodo was the keynote speaker. He spoke about UNN and Enugu politics with a bombastic bluster. Then VC Prof Batho Okolo, also seated at the high table, was shocked. I had to stand behind Batho as he rebutted, but the audience had imbibed a full dose of Nnia’s oration in stirring Asadu/Ideke dialect. Nnia proclaimed a looming removal of Sullivan. It was neither minced nor nuanced. It was clear: Okwi Nwodo would stultify Sullivan’s second term.

    Long story short, Sullivan stumbled onto Okwi’s untidy party-affiliation documentation. Just like that, the man who had promised Mother Mary at Holy Ghost to be fair to all fell at the first hint of unfairness!

    Back to the present: Seven days after Governor Peter Mbah’s super-scripted shift from PDP to APC, complete with brooms, umbrellas, and utensils, the world has not ended. Some PDP partisans got together quickly, as if not to let PDP choke, but the damage is done and deep. Two ex-diasporans are set to clash: Chicago’s Ben Nwoye (APC) and Atlanta’s Ifeanyi Udibe (PDP). Great! Democracy without opposition is dead because excessive political power is an expressway to expiration.

    There are for-and-against write-ups, as if there is a major logic in partisan policies. It is all politics: permanent interests. Only the politically unsophisticated fight.

    The realignment is regular. Mbah needed to secure the ticket for a deserved second term. The dude’s deeds are great. Forces in punctured PDP positioned to derail his train. The wrecking Wike G-5 alliance with party scribe Sam-Daddy Anyanwu reflects Chime-Nwodo scenario. Mbah made the move.

    The juice here is that in the national secretary fuss, PDP disrespected Mbah, the Southeast zonal leader. He had warned the party of potential consequences. He left to grab and run with his Tinubu-assured 2027 ticket. Parties do not build states; governors do.

    For 2027, the gods are still silent. This much I know: Mbah needs more than his delighting deeds to erase the popular resentment of APC in Enugu State. Luckily, with the swift dismantling of ex-Minister Uche Nnaji, there is no popular gubernatorial contender. Wait: Ex-Minister Frank Nweke could pop up in an opposition coalition. A week can make a huge difference; it saved Mbah in 2023. I know. I was involved.

    The defection has dawned. Motion is one thing: movement is another. Mbah needs extra movement. Without a core movement, 2027 could be another toss-up. Lightweight dudes without deeds won elections in the 2023 Obidient wave. May it not be our portion again! Prayers are good, but work works better.

    #moe @OkaaMoe
    Tuesday, October 21, 2025

  • Of Sowore and Soyinka – By M.O Ene

    Of Sowore and Soyinka – By M.O Ene

    The continued custody of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) in the dungeon of the Department of State Services (DSS) is condemnable. If MNK were an American citizen, the matter would have ended and saved lives before his state-sponsored seizure from Kenya.

    When DSS arrested activist Omoyele Sowore in 2019, we quickly gathered at the office of US Senator Bob Menendez in downtown Newark, NJ. He was the chair of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), whom I had known since he was a city councilor, was in attendance. And so was Sowore’s wife.

    Menendez sent a letter demanding Sowore’s release. Done! Abuja seized his Nigerian passport. Hakuna matata: He was free, and he was not done with activism.

    Sowore sensed the MNK situation brilliantly and decided to up the ante: He called for #FreeMNKOct20. Those against cited the brutality of security forces, as seen during the EndSARS protests. Ms. Obianuju Catherine Udeh, DJ Switch, is still in self-exile. The dead did not get a respectable repose.

    Those hurt by the random violence of freelance Biafra insurgents oppose participation. No one should be cajoled to join. Chuba Okadigbo could still be here and possibly the president of Nigeria, if he had not gone marching with Buhari in Kano. Nigeria happened to him.

    Why do some people read meanings into Sowore’s supposedly Yoruba ethnicity? Sowore is not Yoruba! Hear him: “I am an Ijaw person, most people don’t know this”! His activism has nothing to do with his parents’ ethnic extraction.

    Before Yele Sowore, there was Wole Soyinka, a Yoruba. During the war, Soyinka took his rabblerousing radicalism to Enugu. Hear him: “… creating a third force which would… repudiate and end both the secession of Biafra, and the genocide consolidated dictatorship of [Gowon] …which made both secession and war inevitable.” [‘The Man Died,’ p. 18] Soyinka extirpated Biafra’s initial war momentum with a fake liberation of Western Region—which, if genuine, could have been done.

    Sowore seeks outlets for his #RevolutionNow campaigns. David Hundeyin opined that a big masquerade is drumming for Sowore, making him a proverbial “nwanza.” Could President Tinubu sense a Madagascar, overreact, and crush the demonstrators?

    Dr. M.I Okpara was the premier of Eastern Region when he stepped into the Western Region’s civil crisis, sheltered Prof Sam Aluko, Wole Soyinka, and Awolowo’s wife Hannah. He also intervened to make sure that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was not unalived in jail, as Abacha’s regime did to General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

    I fear that #MNKOct20 may drag folks into #RevolutionNow—just as Soyinka suckered Biafra into #ThirdForce fiasco with Agbam, Alale, Banjo, and Ifeajuna in 1967. Tinubu’s tepid attempt to diffuse the situation with a court injunction was rejected by a judge on Friday. The US Embassy warned of potential violence. Saturday: rumors. Just let MNK go. Renew hope!

    Those who coldheartedly chant “no pain, no gain” anticipate blood on the streets as a necessary price to pay for change in Nigeria. This giant green god with calloused clay claws has gulped barrels of blood already. Enough!

    The shaming of Southeast governors and Ohanaeze statesmen should stop. Challenging Obi, Soludo, Otti, and Mbah to march is unwise. Their efforts failed to free MNK, unlike the Afenifere arbitration on Igboho’s case. Oduduwa is not as Biafra: Ask IBB, whom Biafra kept awake and Oduduwa sent to sleep… reportedly.

    As if Ndiigbo needed more Monday Sit@Home, the Ohanaeze Youth Council has urged a closure of Igbo-owned commercial outlets in solidarity. May this be the last Monday!

    #moe @OkaaMoe
    Saturday, October 18, 2025

  • The Pearl I Knew – A Tribute By M.O Ene

    The Pearl I Knew – A Tribute By M.O Ene

    Humanity lost a treasure. She was a distinguished diplomat, a prima inter pares, and an international intellectual. From being the first female DG of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the first female minister of external affairs, and the first female Nigerian permanent representative to the UN, she rose to preside over the UN Security Council—another first for a classy lady. She capped it with the presidency of the UN Women.

    Professor Joy Ogwu was the pride of Nigeria at the UN. A beauty-full and brilliant dame, she rose to incomparable heights in international relations. It will take generations to see her kind again.

    Our paths crossed in Abuja. We attended the 2005 Commonwealth conference on women participation in politics. Organized by Elsie Onubogu of the Commonwealth Office in London, UK, it featured prominent politicians, government officials—home and abroad, academicians, and NGO executives.

    I recall her smiling through my post-presentation sidebar with Sarah Jibrin, first female presidential primary candidate. Her presence was moderating and motivating without her saying much to counter my criticisms of women politicians blaming their male counterparts more than mobilizing and sensitizing voters—mostly women.

    When she came over to the USA, our paths crossed again. She lived in Purchase, NY. We once visited the official residence in Tarrytown. With an amazing view of now Mario Cuomo Bridge (then Tappan Zee) over River Hudson, the property was in a bad state. I had been there a couple of times for official receptions when Professor Ibrahim Gambari lived there. We talked about turning the multimillion-dollar estate into a profitable Nigerian cultural center.

    She also visited me at the campus in New Jersey. She was no stranger: She attended Rutgers, the state university. She had lived down the road in The Oranges. We met at other special events in the UN and the Nigerian House, or at events of such mutual friends as Oseloka Obaze, a UN diplomat. She always exuded the elegance of an eminent envoy. When my wife and I had twins, Joy shared in our joy and surprised us with a visit from across the miles.

    A devout Catholic, she will be missed not only by her family and friends but also in the world of international relations, where her graceful presence, experience, and expertise brought new vistas to global diplomacy.

    Life is an accumulation of momentary memories. How long they last depends on how merry—or monstrous—the memories are and on how they impacted those with whom we interacted. Joy Ogwu left many merry memories.

    I don’t know how the federal government will honor her—an Abuja street, NIIA building, etc. Delta State government should consider naming, minimally, a school of diplomacy in an Anịọma-Delta university after this wonderful woman of style and substance. Future generations should know about the uncommon life of Her Excellency, Professor Uche Joy Angela Ogwu, PhD.

    May her spirit come our way again.

    M.O. Ene, PhD
    New Jersey, USA
    Friday, October 17, 2025

  • From Ambition to Integration: Rethinking Nigeria’s and Africa’s Transportation Future

    By Dr. David Okelue Ugwunta 

    Nigeria’s approval of NGN142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across the its six geopolitical zones alongside the recent launch of new bus terminals and Compressed Natural Gas bus fleets by Enugu State Government signal desires towards modernising public transportation in the country. However, these efforts also highlight a familiar challenge: a sector long driven by lofty possibilities but hindered by weak sustainability, unstable investments, and poor coordination. While developed countries such as Singapore and Sweden have demonstrated that long-term planning, sustainability, and integration can transform public transit into a reliable backbone of economic growth and urban life, Nigeria and other African nations are still struggling with fragmented and uncoordinated public mass transit and transportation systems.

    Nigeria’s Transport Sector Reforms: Progress Amidst Persistent Disintegration

    Since the return to democracy in 1999, the closest attempts at building a system-wide transport infrastructure remained largely unsustainable until the launch of the Lagos BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) in 2008 under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). Standing out as the most consistent, Lagos BRT expanded corridors and upgraded terminals, adopted electronic ticketing and CCTV surveillance, provided air-conditioned waiting areas and intermodal connections to ferries and rails. States including Enugu, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, and Cross River experimented with city bus schemes, but sustainability challenges collapsed them. Abuja, by contrast, remained inconsistent with aged fleets and the absence of dedicated lanes. However, recent interventions with the construction of three bus terminals by Minister Ezenwo Wike are part of the critical infrastructure to improve the nation’s capital transportation system. Also, Enugu State achieved a major milestone on August 14, 2025, with the unveiling of five modern transport terminals — alongside a CNG-powered bus scheme, and a centralised transport management system, standing out as the most recent aspiring sub-national effort in Nigeria’s transport history.

    Rail development in Nigeria similarly presents mixed outcomes. Abuja’s light rail launched in 2018 to interconnect the federal capital to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport gained initial momentum but however, was short-lived when the train service faced operational disruptions in 2020. Lagos’s Blue and Red Metro lines (2023 and 2024) marked significant progress. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is pushing intercity connectivity: Abuja–Kaduna (2020), and Lagos–Ibadan (2021). Other corridors under construction include Warri–Itakpe, Port Harcourt–Bonny, Port Harcourt–Maiduguri, and Kano–Kaduna, although challenged by security, poor financing, and political hindrances. Combined with dilapidated roads, unreliable power supply, and underdeveloped waterways, the transport landscape in Nigeria remains fragmented, inhibiting productivity, dissuading investments, and emasculating economic growth.

    This challenge is not unique to Nigeria. Africa’s rapid urbanization is placing immense pressure on fragile transport systems. Rising motorization is worsening city congestion, while mass transit options remain scarce. According to the World Bank, African cities are turning to BRT as a solution. Dakar led the charge with Africa’s first all-electric BRT system. Cape Town continues to expand its MyCiTi network; Nairobi is building BRT corridors; Dar es Salaam operates one of Africa’s most successful BRT systems; Addis Ababa is pursuing ambitious mass transit reforms; and Kigali is restructuring its network with electric buses and green mobility. These examples highlight a continental appetite for modern transit models. Yet, without institutionalized multimodal frameworks—anchored on coordination, sustainable financing, regulation, and political consensus—Nigeria and its peers remain far from achieving fully modern transport systems.

    Lessons from Sweden and Singapore

    In sharp contrast to the disjointed systems across Africa, Singapore and Sweden present strikingly different models witnessed amongst the world’s most efficient public transportation systems, sharing prominent similarities, notwithstanding differences in geography.

    Both prioritise integrated multimodal networks where buses, metros, trains, and other modes are coordinated under central regulators — the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore and the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) in Sweden. Sustainability is a cornerstone: electric buses are widely adopted, and private car use is discouraged through congestion policies. Both countries also leverage technology such as real-time passenger information, contactless payments, and smart traffic systems. Crucially, transport is aligned with urban planning: Sweden connects housing and regional development, while Singapore integrates MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) stations with residential estates and commercial hubs.

    The main difference lies in scale. Sweden’s system spans vast regions, requiring extensive regional coordination, while Singapore’s compact city-state structure enables dense and efficient transit planning. In Sweden, strong policy coordination between Trafikverket, municipal governments, and local authorities underpins the system. Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) allows passengers to move seamlessly between modes using the SL Access Card.

    Sweden’s success stems from decades of deliberate planning, stable investment, regulatory consistency, and political consensus. Its steady evolution can be traced through key milestones:

    ● 1870s–1930s: Horse-drawn trams and the first urban networks.

    ● 1930s–1950s: Unified management of trams and buses under city ownership.

    ● 1950s–1970s: Launch of the metro and creation of SL, centralizing county-wide coordination.

    ● 1970s–1990s: Expansion of commuter rail and integration with buses and metro services.

    ● 2000s–2010s: Rollout of contactless smart cards, real-time passenger information, and mobile ticketing.

    ● 2010s–present: Full multimodal integration supported by unified apps, high-capacity interchanges, and ambitious green mobility innovations.

    Today, Swedish metro trains, buses, and trams are designed for both accessibility and sustainability, featuring low-floor entry, wheelchair access, priority seating, eco-friendly engines, digital route displays, and audio announcements. Intercity options—FlixBus and SJ’s high-speed trains—add further comfort with Wi-Fi, reclining seats, onboard dining, quiet zones, power outlets, and dedicated spaces for bicycles and mobility needs. At the heart of the system is Stockholm’s T-Centralen hub, where local, regional, and national services converge, ensuring seamless transitions, reinforcing efficiency in public mobility.

    Lessons for Nigeria and other African Peers

    1. Centralized Coordination: Like the LTA in Singapore and the Swedish Transport Administration, African countries need to unify disjointed transportation struggles to incorporate all efforts (federal, regional, state, local, and private).

    2. Long-Term Planning: Sweden’s 10–20-year investment cycles highlight the importance of continuity beyond political terms.

    3. Nationwide Integration: Feeder routes, metro lines, and intercity rails must interconnect to enable regional expansion and system-wide efficiency.

    4. Institutional Stability: Strong governance and regulatory consistency are vital for sustainable projects and operationality.

    5. Hub-Based Infrastructure: Intermodal terminals reduce transfer times and improve efficiency.

    6. Technology-Driven Services: Real-time information, digital payments, and journey-planning apps are key to reliability and efficiency.

    7. Local Manufacturing: Sweden relies on Scania and Volvo. Nigeria and its peers should invest in local CNG and electric bus assembly to reduce imports, strengthen currencies, and create jobs.

    Sweden’s journey from fragmented beginnings to a world-class multimodal transport system is instructive for Nigeria and its African peers to move beyond scattered initiatives and implement tested and efficient transportation systems. Nigeria and other African nations already possess some elements of modern frameworks—BRT corridors, urban and intercity rail projects, and clean-fuel initiatives—but these remain disjointed and uncoordinated. What is urgently needed is not more scattered projects, but a bold and deliberate commitment to revolutionize public mobility. African countries must adopt integrated, modern, and sustainable multimodal systems based on deliberate long-term planning, cyclical investments with opportunities for private sector participation, robust regulatory and institutional frameworks, political and stakeholder’s consensus, and effective coordination among federating units. Only through such a holistic approach can Nigeria and other African countries transition from ambitious rhetoric to building resilient and world-class transport systems that support its growing urbanization and economy.

    Okelue David Ugwunta is a University Lecturer and an Economic Planning Specialist.

  • [OPINION] A Case Study of Political Party Loyalty, Power Struggle, Blackmail, and Realignment in Enugu State APC

    [OPINION] A Case Study of Political Party Loyalty, Power Struggle, Blackmail, and Realignment in Enugu State APC

    By Comr. Farmer. Ezeh C.J.

    The concept of betrayal in politics is complex, especially when viewed through the lenses of political party loyalty, power struggle, blackmail, and conscience. In Enugu State, Nigeria, this dynamic plays out in various forms, particularly among the youth and political leaders.

    Recent controversies surrounding the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, the defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the dissolution of state executive councils have sparked debates about party loyalty, betrayal, and blackmail.

    The youths are divided on the issue of political party loyalty, betrayal, and realignment, with some prioritizing party loyalty and others emphasizing personal interests for the sake of realignment.

    The call for zoning the presidency to the South-East zone has been a contentious issue, with some leaders advocating for this arrangement to ensure equity and fairness in Nigerian politics.

    Power Dynamics:
    The struggle for power and influence has led to accusations of betrayal among Igbo politicians. Some leaders have been accused of prioritizing personal interests over regional unity and progress.

    Conscience and Political Decision-Making

    Role of Conscience:
    Conscience plays a crucial role in guiding politicians’ decisions, particularly when faced with moral dilemmas. However, the prioritization of power and personal gain often clouds judgment, leading to questionable decisions.

    Accountability:
    There is a need for accountability in politics, ensuring that leaders prioritize the interests of their constituents and adhere to ethical standards.

    Perspectives on Betrayal in Enugu State Politics

    Cultural and Historical Context:
    The legacy of marginalization and exclusion has contributed to the politics of betrayal in Enugu State. Leaders often feel compelled to prioritize personal interests over regional interests.

    Personal Ambition:
    Personal ambition and the pursuit of power can lead to betrayal, as individuals prioritize their interests over collective goals.

    Key Issues:

    Loyalty and Betrayal: Politicians often prioritize personal interests over party loyalty, leading to defections and accusations of betrayal.

    Power Struggle: Different factions within the party vie for control, resulting in internal conflicts and power struggles that can lead to blackmail and mole hunting.

    Blackmail and Moles: Politicians may use sensitive information to blackmail opponents or identify moles within their ranks to gain an upper hand.

    Consequences:

    Loss of Trust: Betrayal can erode trust among party members and the youths, making it challenging to work toward common goals.

    Internal Conflicts: Power struggles and betrayal can lead to internal conflicts, weakening the party and undermining its chances of success.

    Electoral Consequences: Betrayal can also have electoral consequences, as voters may lose faith in the party’s ability to deliver on its promises.

    Examples from Other Contexts:

    In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus’s betrayal of Caesar is a classic example of the tension between personal loyalty and public duty. Brutus’s actions are driven by a desire to protect Rome but ultimately lead to his downfall.

    Similarly, in Nigerian politics, the struggle for power and loyalty can lead to betrayal and internal conflicts within parties.

    The Way Forward:

    To mitigate the effects of the politics of betrayal, the APC in Enugu State must prioritize building trust, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of loyalty and integrity.

    This can be achieved through:

    Inclusive Leadership: Ensuring that leadership positions are based on merit and not just loyalty.

    Transparency: Promoting transparency in decision-making processes and ensuring that information is accessible to all stakeholders.

    Youth Engagement: Encouraging youth participation in politics and governance to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility.

    By adopting these strategies, the APC can build trust, promote transparency, and foster a culture of loyalty and integrity, ultimately reducing the impact of the politics of betrayal, power struggle, and blackmail.

  • PDP Must Not Die – By Dr. M.O Ene

    PDP Must Not Die – By Dr. M.O Ene

    Partisan politics does not sit well with me. I prefer to prevent pathetic pettiness in the pursuit of political power. Alas, politics is our way of life. Life itself is about the politics of ideas, survival, and development.

    I am no stranger to Nigeria’s fourth republic. I played a part in opposing the dictatorship of Abacha. I believed that the worst democracy is better than the most benevolent dictatorship. Debatable! My principal position remains that Nigeria is not sustainable as-is: Dysfunctional components do not make a viable whole.

    Early 1999, I met with ex-Governor Abubakar Rimi in Marriot Hotel by Newark International Airport, USA. He looked more handsome in person. He was expecting me. Ekwueme and Obasanjo were set to jostle in Jos. We hatched a strategy: announce him as VP to Ekwueme. It did not pan out. Obasanjo announced Atiku and won.

    Rimi recounted the genesis of PDP, the People’s Democratic Party. The anti-Abacha group started small and morphed into G-18. The group enlarged to G-34, with former VP Alex Ekwueme leading strong statesmen to become the founding fathers of PDP on August 31, 1998: Tony Anenih, Jerry Gana, Solomon Lar, Abubakar Rimi, Bola Ige, Sule Lamido, Adamu Ciroma, Iyorchia Ayu, Bamanga Tukur, etc.

    In the southeast, we knew PDP as the party of Ekwueme. It also triumphed in the BRACED states (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Delta). The setup was dented when Peter Obi came in on the wings of Ikemba’s APGA. PDP lost Anambra and Imo. By 2015, Buhari-Tinubu APC amalgam dealt a devastating blow to PDP. Ten years later, the gust of grab and run is almost complete. We should not worry, as longer as the “dividends of democracy” are delivered and elections are free, right? Wrong!

    The dividends of democracy, the enduring slogan of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, were damaged by internal dysfunctions and triggered by the lack of a focused and organized opposition.

    PDP policy is flawed ab initio: “Power to the people.” If we are practicing a modicum of decent democracy, power must come from the people—not given by deluded dictators masquerading as democrats.

    Whatever happens after brandishing brooms and flying flags in Enugu, the PDP umbrella must not fold in opposition. Party believers could bring back the spirit of Ekwueme and Ikemba into a reformed ADC-PDP platform.

    Governor Peter Mbah’s scripted exit from PDP and the glitzy entry into APC mark the end of an era. PDP was bad in opposition; hence, it got itself a good grinding in the anvil of Nyesom Wike’s money power and Atiku’s ceaseless pursuit of power.

    Bottom line, we need a policy-driven political movement to ponder and project policies that will secure and safeguard the Southeast while moving Nigeria to the next level. ADC-PDP can lead the movement to restructure Nigeria, one nation at a time. The space is open in the Southeast.

    Kudos to Governor Peter Mbah and company. May history judge them kindly.

    @OkaaMoe
    Tuesday, October 14, 2025