You know the other day, we were just thinking about it – politicians in Nigeria buy media platforms in order to own power, to shape conversations, to control narratives, to build and enforce a larger-than-life image.

Atiku Abubakar has Gotel.

James Ibori has the Independent.

Tinubu has The Nation, and the entire Nigeria.

Orji Uzor Kalu is the only one who has two national newspapers – the widely-circulating the Sun, and then the newer New Telegraph managing-directed by former Daily Sun editor, Funke Egbemode (and we have to say she is respected and formidable, also the leader of the Nigerian Guild of Editors).

He has two papers, and yet his image keeps tanking and tanking – sinking alongside his influence with each passing day.

He tries to run for all kinds of office, and loses. He tries to run, desperately (I still can’t believe he sunk that low), to run for leader of the sports commission. Lost badly. Then tried to run for the FIFA presidency, and slunk off after being ridiculed and rightfully heckled by the media, and everyone else with common sense.

No one listens to what he has to say. No one cares what he has to do. Except the EFCC that keeps trotting him out to court every now and again, just for the fun of it.

How can a two-time powerful governor man have two crucial, popular media organs and still be unable to make his voice heard?

Maybe there is some justice in the world (where people don’t end up ruining the states they were to govern and yet go on to glory and light).

PS: As businesses though, we have to say, between SLOK (shut down by a vindictive Olusegun Obasanjo) and his media concerns, we have to say he scores one for savvy. And unlike many of the media people, he actually runs profitable media property. So he has something to console him when he sleeps at night.

YWriter