Posts Tagged ‘Ibrahim Babangida’

The “Babangida Must Go” Protests: A Missed Opportunity for Revolution

Posted: August 4, 2017 in Corruption, Government, Leadership, Social Relations
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The best chance of a revolution Nigeria had was initially led by young obscure student leaders at the University of Benin campus in May 1989; they staged a protest that became famously known as the “Anti-SAP Riots” spilt into Benin-City and rapidly to other cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Port Harcourt and Ibadan. The masses were firmly behind the student protesters and bought their persuasive message of obscene leadership corruption, thoroughgoing military repression and the rejection of neoliberalism that was mercilessly immiserating their way of life. The guns of the repressive military regime no longer frightened the masses, they had left nothing to lose. (more…)

Nigeria and the “Empowerment Game”

Posted: May 1, 2016 in Corruption, Governance, Government, Leadership, Social Relations
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“Empowerment” has a strange meaning in the Nigerian context; “the sharing of money by politicians to clients, supporters, the undecided and antagonists”. Empowerment is thus simply the use of state money to buy political support within the polity by numerous means such as rent offerings and prebendalism. Empowerment can wear a ‘something-for-nothing’ shirt since it is often unearned or undeserved. From keen observation and credible sources the “empowerment game” is one that President Muhammadu Buhari, despite the genuine criticisms levelled against him, has apparently refused to play both as military and democratic president. A strong indication of moral uprightness. Does not playing the empowerment game have costs and can Nigeria be peacefully ruled without empowerment? (more…)

Loans Will Not Save Nigeria: The Hidden Costs of Borrowing

Posted: April 10, 2016 in Corruption, Governance, Human Rights, Justice, Leadership, Power
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buhari begging bowl

President Muhammadu Buhari won many die-hard supporters purely because he refused to play the game of “begging bowl politics” at a time when Africa’s innumerable dictators were queuing up to take IMF / World Bank loans as global neoliberalism aggressively dictated. If Buhari had accepted the aggressively marketed neoliberal-induced loans, General Ibrahim Babangida might have never become president and Nigeria’s recent history different. Conversely, if Buhari had remained in office enduringly then with the “no loan” stance, Nigeria might be up there today with Botswana, a nation that rejected IMF / World Bank loans. However, Buhari, now a democratically elected president is actively courting loans from economic powers, the most recent being China. What happened? Egnahc? (more…)

The North–South West Election Alliance in Tatters

Posted: October 7, 2015 in Elections, Governance, Power
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Tinubu Buhari Osinbajo

The South West has now been, rightfully or wrongfully, disaffected by President Muhammadu Buhari and his “Northern Bloc”. The unholy alliance between the North and the South West fostered for the 2015 elections in Nigeria is over. Buhari’s parking ex-Governor Bola Tinubu into the corner is tantamount to parking the entire South West into the corner. Tinubu has been outsmarted in every department by Buhari and some. (more…)