Nigeria: Our Misunderstood President

ALLAFRICA

VANGUARD [21/11/12]

By Hakeem Baba-Ahmad

"Politics — "Politics the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other." -Oscar Ameringer

During the better-managed and choreographed media outing on Sunday this week, President Jonathan said he thought he was totally misunderstood when he made comments on the need for complete deregulation if investment in the downstream sector is going to be substantially attracted to the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

He had been widely reported a few days ago as suggesting that fuel subsidy will be removed in order to make room for additional investment in areas such as refineries. He said provision for subsidy has been made in the 2013 budget estimates, but insisted that full deregulation will eventually have to involve removal of all subsidies.

More to Boko Haram than meets the Eye

Uthman Akinbola [03/11/12]

Should Nigerians sincerely believe this recent call (see below) for Buhari-led mediation? Would it solve the problem of the Boko Haram (BH) insurgency in all its ramifications, since there are several splinter BH groups with different missions and demands?

Why can't Nigerian Leaders focus on Issues?

By Uthman Akinbola [23/09/12]

The response of Dr Festus Adedayo, spokesperson of OYO State governor, to Senator Teslim Folarin’s criticism is too sharp and unexpected from a government that wants to lead the way for the citizens to follow.