by Jideofor Adibe Nigerians love buzzwords – slogans that are repeated frequently enough, (and imbued with assumed values), that they begin to sound like established facts or self-evident truths. One of the favourite mantras in Nigeria today is the notion of the ‘detribalized’ Nigerian. Depending on the context and the speaker, this could often mean... Read More

Opinion

culture, Jideofor Adibe, nigerians, opinion, tribalism

September 22, 2017

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Opinion: 5 lessons from IPOB’s fall

by Jideofor Adibe In my column of September 7, 2017, entitled, ‘Nnamdi Kanu and the Redeemer Complex’, I made a few propositions about Nnamdi Kanu that now seem prophetic. I will like to quote two passages from that piece: “…a redeemer movement becomes dangerous when the leader starts believing so much in his own... Read More

Opinion

IPOB, Jideofor Adibe, nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu, Operation Python Dance, opinion, self determination

June 2, 2017

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Opinion: Obasanjo’s Biafra solution is dumb. Here is why

by Jideofor Adibe Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly called for dialogue with those agitating for Biafra. Speaking at the event, ‘Biafra, 50 Years After’ at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre recently, Obasanjo was quoted by the Vanguard of May 25, 2017 as saying: “But I think, we should even appeal to those saying they... Read More

Opinion

IPOB, Jideofor Adibe, Niger Delta Avengers Biafra, nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu, Obasanjo, opinion, Saparatist agitations

May 25, 2017

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Opinion: Why a military coup is unlikely

by Jideofor Adibe Many Nigerians have been expressing understandable outrage at suggestions that there might be a military coup in the country. It is obvious that despite the current challenges, most Nigerians who were old enough to know what happened during the long period of military rule in Nigeria, will not wish another forward to... Read More

Opinion

Jideofor Adibe, military coup, nigeria, opinion, Politics

May 18, 2017

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Opinion: What if Buhari does not want to continue?

by Jideofor Adibe Secrecy, as they say, creates confusion and opens up space for wild speculation and conspiracy theories. Nigerians believe fervently in the adage that nature abhors a vacuum. So the more secretive the government becomes about President Buhari’s health status, the more some Nigerians move in to feel the void with their... Read More

Opinion

Buhari, Buhari's illness, Cabal, Jideofor Adibe, kyari, nigeria, opinion, Politics

April 14, 2017

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Opinion: Obasanjo’s corruption narratives

by Jideofor Adibe Obasanjo’s recent treatise on corruption in Nigeria is a must-read for policymakers because it essentially bought into what several academics and public intellectuals have been saying over the years about the endemic ‘war against corruption’ in the country. In a lecture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on “The Role of the Church... Read More

Opinion

Buhari, corruption, EFCC, ICP, Jideofor Adibe, nigeria, Obasanjo, opinion

February 23, 2017

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Opinion: The evolution of Yemi Osinbajo

by Jideofor Adibe Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been receiving deserved kudos for the way he has been holding forte since Buhari went on medical vacation in England on January 19 2017. In this round as Acting President Osinbajo seems to have brought a new style, which he had not displayed previously. As Vice... Read More

Jideofor Adibe, Muhammadu Buhari, nigeria, opinion, Politics, Yemi Osinbajo

February 16, 2017

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Opinion: The controversy over Trump’s Phone Call to Buhari

by Jideofor Adibe Virtually all the leading newspapers in the country reported on February 14 that President Buhari spoke to Donald Trump the previous day “at the request of the American President”. Several of the reports quoted the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adeshina as saying that... Read More

Opinion

America, boko haram, Buhari, Jideofor Adibe, nigeria, opinion, trump

February 2, 2017

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Opinion: Understanding ‘executive orders’

by Jideofor Adibe Since formally assuming office on January 20, two things seem to have defined the Trump presidency: controversy and executive orders. The first was almost his first name during the campaigns so we are used to it. Since assuming office, he seems to have also popularised the notion of executive orders. But... Read More

Opinion

America, donald trump, Executive orders, Jideofor Adibe, nigeria, opinion

January 27, 2017

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Opinion: Reality check- Nigeria’s sense of entitlement cannot stand empirical examination

by Jideofor Adibe This piece was inspired by the transcript of a speech given by Princeton Nathan Lyman, former US Ambassador to Nigeria (1986–89) and South Africa (1992–95) at Chinua Achebe Colloquium at Brown University in December 2009. The speech was entitled, “The Nigerian State and U.S. Strategic Interests.” Though the speech was delivered more... Read More

Opinion

Ambassador Lyman, Jideofor Adibe, nigeria, opinion, Reality checks