Azu Ishiekwene

An image of Governor Abba Yusuf with both Kwankwaso and Ganduje

Yusuf’s Red Cap on Tinubu’s Red Carpet

politics /

“What next? Kano often defies gravity. Its politics is sophisticated, dangerously contrarian, yet consequential. That explains why Aminu Kano’s NEPU defeated the pro-establishment NPC, and why PRP consistently beat NPN. In 2003, Ibrahim Shekerau’s ANPP defeated Kwankwaso’s nationally dominant PDP, only for Kano to birth a red-cap movement that is fanatical even without a cause, eight years later. Now, with the possible realignment of Yusuf, Ganduje, and Shekerau on one side against Kwankwaso on the other, the die is cast”

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an image of trump, netanyahu, xi and putin with a background of the globe map

We Owe Putin an Unreserved Apology

International Affairs, politics /

“If the price for world peace is to award President Trump a Nobel Peace Prize for ending eight wars, a delusion he firmly believes, then we should indulge his fantasy by granting this fervent wish. But since it would be grossly unfair to exclude Putin, or to ignore Xi, Kim or even Benjamin Netanyahu from such a list, it would not be a bad idea to propose to the Norwegian Nobel Committee a once-in-a-lifetime, first and last Nobel Peace Prize Quintet 2026, for all five”

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An image containing emmanuel ifeajuna, aguiyi ironsi, tafawa balewa, nnamdi azikiwe, harold wilson, emeka ojukwu, chukwuma kaduna nzeogwu and the book John de St. Jorre’s The Brothers’ War: Biafra and Nigeria

 A British War Journalist’s Account of How January 15 Changed Nigeria

History, politics /

Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi, who had been alerted by the wife of one of the murdered officers, ran to the police headquarters in his car to plot a counter-offensive. According to the book, Ironsi spent most of the morning of January 15 in the Lagos police headquarters trying to consolidate his position. Sixty years later, no one can say where a general confronted with a similar situation might turn for refuge and reinforcement. However, most would likely agree that it certainly would not be the police headquarters in Lagos or Abuja

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images of APC adc Atiku obi Tinubu elrufai trump in an orb

What You Might Expect in 2026: A Valedictory Edition

Africa, Economy, International Affairs, politics /

“From twice forecasting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would lose (2019 and 2023, he’ll lose again in 2027), months before the election, to predicting that at least five ministers would be fired in 2025 (seven were fired), nothing has given me greater pleasure than the Nostradamus-like thrill of watching a situation foretold unfolding”

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Different emotions of the founder of LEADERSHIP, Sam Nda-Isaiah

Sam After Five

Human Interest, Lifestyle /

“Looking back, it appears that Sam wrote “Political Decline of the North,” or “Atiku is Finished,” in a glorious era. Of course, there are great Northern minds terrified by poor, crooked leadership that has wrecked the region. Yet, Northerners who helped to hasten the decline Sam wrote about now have children and grandchildren who have joined the business of not only killing the North, but also doing so quickly. As for Atiku being finished, his philandering is legendary, with his wild oats scattered across the major political parties, except those that have yet to be formed”

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image of Guinea-Bissau's ousted president and military leader on a backdrop of the country's map

A Troubling Message from Guinea-Bissau

International Affairs, politics /

“He started well, under the rallying cry of ‘Embaloism,’ which was supposed to rid the country of corruption, poor governance and instil discipline. He also attempted to rebuild confidence with regional allies and powerhouses, including Nigeria, and subsequently reached out to Portugal and the IMF to repair the country’s badly damaged economy…However, it didn’t take long before Embaloism gave way to ‘Embalomylitis,’ a condition that has left citizens poorer and poorer, eventually ranking 177th out of 191 on the UN Human Development Index”

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the insecurity plaguing nigeria

Habits That Disgrace Us Are Not Trump-made

Human Interest, politics /

“If this was Matawalle’s idea of soft power, or the new meaning of non-kinetic engagement, then he should return to his farm in Bakura. His performance was deserving of nothing less than a caning on the rostrum where he was receiving that salute…The second embarrassment was the departure of the NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu-led reconciliation team to the US, leaving Nigeria like thieves in the night”

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An illustration of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, against the background of the Guild of Editors logo

Editors and the Missing Part of Uzodimma’s Trust Story

politics /

If trust is broken, electoral integrity is undermined, and confidence in politicians and public institutions is eroded, it’s mainly because journalists, in this case, Nigerian journalists, have hypocritically blamed everyone else but themselves. This was music in the ear of politicians, who mostly erupted in applause and laughter, but a body blow to journalists who grinned or raised uncomfortable eyebrows across the hall

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