Kingsley Onwuka Blog

24/09/2024

WHY PDP LOST EDO STATE
To me, PDP's loss in the Edo guber election this time around was predictable just as the victory of the party in 2020 in the same Edo was also predictable. I am a keen watcher of politics in Nigeria even though I'm very very busy in my small business.

Although federal might apparently played a big role in APC's victory in Edo State, the misfortune of the PDP in the state started with its loss of Philip Shuaibu to the APC. Philip Shuaibu's description of himself as a home boy in Edo politics is just nothing but the truth. He is so popular in Edo politics that you disregard him at your own peril. Obaseki's victory in 2020 had a lot to do with Shuaibu's involvement, infact it can be said that Obaseki won re-election in 2020 because of Shuaibu. Obaseki is an intelligent banker, he is not a politician, neither is Asue Ighodalo. But Shuaibu is a core politician with huge influence and knowledge of the game, so Obaseki needed him to work for the PDP in this election. In politics you should not be rigid in your stand of not wanting a person (if the person has what you need at a particular time).

Governor Obaseki didn't manage the situation of estrangement between him and Shuaibu with enough sagacity and political astuteness. He showed too much pride and power in the situation. Politics is not played that way. Politics is played with strategic humility, and not with pride; person wey dey find something no dey get pride.
If I were Obaseki I would have put down my pride and done everything possible to pacify Shuaibu after denying him the governorship ticket of the PDP. Shuaibu is a big asset politically, and Obeseki needed him for this election. He shouldn't have discarded him at all. After denying him the governorship ticket, it wouldn't have been too difficult for Obaseki to pacify Shuaibu and still keep him on his side, I would have done it if I were Obaseki.

There is a character that Wike has going for him in politics: if Wike sees that he needs you, he will put down his pride and reach out to you, and he will most likely win you over; that's an attitude of strategic humility, it is not weakness, it is political sagacity and astuteness!
Obaseki shot himself in the foot by discarding Shuaibu, and that is largely responsible for the loss of the PDP in this election.

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12/06/2024

THE NEW MINIMUM WAGE
The new minimum should be 100k. For the workers, this amount is not big enough in light of the high cost of living in the country today. And it is not an amount too much for the government to pay; I may excuse the local government tier of government considering the income level of that tier of government.
The federal and state governments can pay 100k or even above if cost of governance is drastically reduced, corruption is tackled and wastage/abuse of public funds is stopped. The monies that government officials fritter away or divert to personal aggrandizement can go a long way in the payment of a good amount as minimum wage to workers in Nigeria. Those in government should let the wealth of Nigeria trickle down to the generality of Nigerians through payment of a reasonable amount as minimum wage to the ordinary workers in Nigeria.

03/06/2024

This is the governor of a state in Nigeria. You, stay there and be taking life too serious.

29/05/2024

By saying happy children's day to those who would cry when their girlfriend/boyfriend breaks up with them, I don't mean to say you should not cry when such a thing happens to you. It is natural for human beings to cry when something physically or emotionally painful happens to them; and you are human!

You are in love with somebody, perhaps you have invested a lot of deep emotions in the relationship, perhaps you have become so used to the person and it feels like the person is now intricately part of you and your life, perhaps you have invested too much hope of a better future with the person, and so on; and then all of a sudden the person says "I NO DO AGAIN." It could be because the person has gotten tired of you and just wants to move on to another person, it could be because the person never initially intended to have anything meaningful with you, it could also be based on your own fault. For whatever reason, such experience can be painful when it happens to you. But rather than cry and feel devastated, you should just have a deep reflection and be motivated to improve yourself. When you improve yourself someone better will be attracted to you.

I belong to the school of thought that believes there is an alternative and a substitute for everything.
Human beings are unique in their attributes, I agree. But whatever you find interesting in a particular person can also be found in someone else.

So, when someone dumps you, you should get up, move on and MOVE YOURSELF TO A BETTER PLACE.

29/05/2024

In as much as most Rivers people yearn for a departure by Gov. Fubara from Wike's style of administration, we should also realize that road infrastructure remains a very important aspect of development.
So the governor should continue to build roads as well as he should also carry out other aspects of development as needed by the people.

28/05/2024

Those who might be planning to destabilize Rivers State (according to the governor) are doing the state a big disservice. The peace and progress of Rivers State should be uppermost in the agenda of every Rivers person especially the politicians. For goodness sake this is Fubara's turn in government and he should be allowed to govern in peace, next time could be other people's turn.

In the game of politics, just as in life generally, you don't win all the time; some times you win, some times you lose - and life goes on.
Those who are not having their way today in the politics of Rivers State should move on and wait for next time when it could be be their turn to reestablish their grip on the state, and let the state progress in peace.

26/06/2022

THE LESSON IN IKE EKWEREMADU'S SITUATION IN THE UK
Just like other citizens of the country have done, I sympathize with Senator Ike Ekweremadu, an illustrious citizen of Igbo land and of Nigeria, on his current ordeal in the UK.
Because we do not yet know the real facts of the matter, we ought to be cautious in our comments on it. Besides, we should be humane enough to not delight in the misfortune of others (even those we don't like). Misfortunes are part of life, and it could be anybody's turn in any form at any time in life.

Although I believe that every adult human being should bear responsibility for their wrong actions, I join other Nigerians in praying for the Distinguished Senator to overcome this ugly situation as quickly as possible.

The point of this write-up is to highlight what lesson should be learnt from this incident involving Ike Ekweremadu in the UK. Despite his status as a very distinguished public office holder in Nigeria, law enforcement agents in the UK did not waste time in arresting and prosecuting him to hold him accountable for his alleged act against the law. The university where he holds an appointment as a Visiting Professor has quickly suspended him pending the outcome of investigation of his matter. That is a society where people are serious about public life!

Government (which law enforcement agencies are integral part of) should take law enforcement seriously in Nigeria. Whoever (no matter how highly placed) goes against the law should be held accountable for his or actions (even those who have immunity, after the period of their immunity).
Nigeria should emulate the UK and other serious countries of the world in the area of law enforcement. Law enforcement in Nigeria should be strong and without fear or favour. That is how our society can progress on a path of genuine development.

Kingsley Onwuka

16/06/2022

BETWEEN NYESOM WIKE AND IFEANYI OKOWA
Obviously the search for a running mate on the presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has been narrowed to two eminent individuals from the South South, a medical doctor and a lawyer - Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Ifeanyi Okowa:
The governor of Delta State, in my estimation, would be Atiku's most preferred candidate for the position. He has a character of calmness and cerebral disposition (typical of what he is by profession - a medical doctor). Politically, his kind of person will be pliable and subservient, the kind of person suitable and preferred for a vice presidential position. He will quietly occupy the office of Vice President and play second fiddle very well. He will be a good gentleman-Vice President.

Nysom Wike:
In my estimation, the Rivers State governor is the last person Atiku would want to work with as Vice. Wike is a strong man, a tough character, his manner of vehement and aggressive expression of himself is just typical of what he is by profession - a lawyer. Wike will never be pliable and subservient in the office of Vice President, he is not the kind of person that will quietly occupy the office and play second fiddle very well. But he is a good choice for the position if Atiku and PDP are really looking for who will energetically work for the country and not for the president. After all, the Vice President should be an employee of the people of the country and not of the president.
Financially, politically and otherwise, Wike has a lot of capacity to galvanize enormous support from the South for Atiku and the PDP especially if he is made the running mate on the presidential ticket.

Ifeanyi Okowa and Nyesom Wike are good, if the search has been narrowed to the two of them. It is difficult to really say one is better than the other, because the two of them are good for the job, the two of them are eminently qualified. Let's see who Atiku and the PDP will choose!

Kingsley Onwuka

15/06/2022

Welcome to Politics in Nigeria Blog by Kingsley Onwuka, where we talk politics for the good of our country as a way of contributing to the stimulation of national development. Nigeria is our country; let's not stand aloof, let's get involved, let's lend our voices, let's share our views, let's talk!

Pls share our posts and share your options in the comments section.

Thank you!

13/06/2022

THE MEANING OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
When I taught Government in tutorial centers in Port Harcourt, and when I taught ND 1 students Elements of Government here in the private polytechnic where I'm serving, aside from the scholarly definitions I gave them I also gave them my own variegated perspectives on the meaning of democracy, thus:
*Democracy is a form or system of government in which the right to govern is derived from the consent of the governed (the electorate) through the ballot box. It is a system of government in which emphasis is on the supremacy of the ballot box.

*Democracy is a way of governance in which the government is bound by social contract to yield and defer to the wishes and aspirations of the people in the process of governing them.

*Democracy as a principle in human interaction implies that the will/opinions of the majority prevail on a matter of common interest among a group of people.

I remember in one of the classes, after making the students understand the meaning of democracy from different perspectives, I asked them to individually express their views on the practice of democracy in Nigeria. And they were unanimous in thinking that democracy is far from true practice in Nigeria. Those students are young Nigerians to whom the future of Nigeria belongs. All in all, I encouraged them to know that they have a role to play in making our country a better place.

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where the opportunity to vie for the top place in the governance space is sold and bought in the full glare of the world (in dollar and not even in our own currency)?

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where the right to rule is derived from the role an individual played in installing the previous (or incumbent) president?

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where a former president while in office would publicly tell the world that election in Nigeria is do or die!?

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where a supposedly elected governor of a state would publicly tell his people (that elected him) to go and die if they don't like the sort of projects he is executing for them?

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where the National Assembly of the country would pass a bill in deference to the wish of the President to have indirect primary and consensus options against the vigorously expressed wish of the people to have only the direct primary option in the new electoral law?

What is the meaning of democracy in Nigeria where a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket is about to be foisted on the people of Nigeria by a political party whether the people like it or not?

The essence of this message is to inspire the elevation of true democracy in our country.
All of us citizens have a crucial role to play by getting involved one way or another especially by getting our PVCs to vote for the right candidates come 2023, candidates of our respective choices according to our conscience.

The best thing President Muhammadu Buhari will do to elevate democracy in Nigeria is to sincerely conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country come 2023; the kind of elections that will not only be free and fair but will also be clearly seen to be such by all and sundry.
May this message reach the President.

Kingsley Onwuka,
*B.Sc, Political and Administrative Studies,
University of Port Harcourt
*Admin and Teaching Assistant, Department of Public Administration, ACBMS Ibadan.

13/06/2022

IF TINUBU MUST PICK A MUSLIM RUNNING MATE
First, let me reiterate my stand against a running mate of Muslim faith for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Competence over religious identity is not unimportant, but consideration must be given to the need for religious balancing in the pairing for the APC presidential ticket in light of the peculiar composition and nature of the Nigerian society. The interest of the Christian citizens (who constitute a very significant part of the country's voting population) should not be disregarded.

All the same, if the APC and Bola Tinubu are hell-bent on a Muslim option as running mate, then such an option should no other than Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State. If they insist on foisting a Muslim vice presidential candidate alongside a Muslim presidential candidate on the electorate, then they should give us the very best and let us make the ultimate decision through the ballot box come 2023.

Kingsley Onwuka

12/06/2022

THE MUSLIM-MUSLIM ARGUMENT
A Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in Nigeria is highly uncalled for. The argument of competence over religious sentiments is not invalid. However, we must not be insensitive to the peculiar composition and nature of the Nigerian society. If a president or presidential candidate is a Muslim, then the deputy should be a Christian, and vice versa.

Obviously the candidate of the PDP is going to pick a Christian as running mate. So the Muslim-Muslim argument seems to be an issue only in the APC.

If the incumbent APC insist on a Muslim-Muslim pairing, then to me it will be an indication that they do not plan to really depend on the ballot box for victory come 2023. If they are truly counting on the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people as should be expressed through the ballot box, then they will not disregard the interest of the Christian segment of the Nigerian voting population. The Christian segment of the voting population is significant and can go a long way in determining who can become the country's president if the ballot process is truly allowed to thrive.

Kingsley Onwuka

11/06/2022

THE PROBLEM ABOUT TINUBU

Written by Kingsley Onwuka

When I write on politics on social media, it is neither to smear anybody's imagine nor to impress any paymaster. I write to bear my mind on political events in our society, I write to lend my voice and contribute to the stimulation of national development which is what behooves me to do based on my background in Political Science.

I have a lot of respect for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I've always been of the opinion that he is eminently qualified to govern Nigeria (just like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are as well).
I mean, a trained accountant should be adequately qualified to manage human and material resources very well.

But there's a problem about Tinubu's presidential ambition. His own perception of his presidential bid is the problem. He says it is "his turn" to become president of Nigeria after Muhammadu Buhari. Such an expression smacks of a sense of entitlement over Nigeria. He feels it is his right to become the next president of the country simply because of the significant role he played in installing Buhari in A*o Rock in 2015. So, Nigeria is a piece of farmland that should be possessed by individuals turn by turn.

Tinubu should rather sound more democratic in his quest to occupy the highest office in the land. He should clear his presidential ambition of any sense of entitlement so that it becomes more of a bid to render service than a bid to possess Nigeria. He should be sounding much more like 'I want to become president of Nigeria because I have so and so and so things burning in my heart to do for the country.' And not 'I want to become president of Nigeria because it is my turn.'
The "my turn" thing is the problem about Tinubu's presidential ambition.

Kingsley Onwuka
11/06/22

05/06/2022

Breaking!!!
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Rauf Olaniyan defects to APC.
Speaking on a live radio show some minutes ago, the Deputy Governor himself confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC.
There are rumoured reports that the Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde is set to drop Engr Olaniyan and pick someone else to run with on the platform of the PDP come 2023.

What is the implication for governance and development, of a governor and his deputy falling apart in government in Nigeria?

05/06/2022

WHY TINUBU LAMENTED
Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu's outburst in Abeokuta recently has been a subject of controversy and wide discussions on different media. He lamented maybe out of frustration, perhaps because he has seen the handwriting on the wall.
But let's face the truth here. This is not to make a case for Tinubu, neither is it to condemn him on the matter. What Tinubu said in Abeokuta were statements of truth. I mean, did he not play such a significant role in Buhari's emergence as president of the country in 2015? Did he not make many persons what they became politically? What he said are just statements of fact, Tinubu has been a king maker. Is it his turn to become the next king of Nigeria just because he made the current king? But the moral question to ask is: was there such an agreement in 2015? If there was, then he may be right to claim the APC candidacy (not necessarily Nigeria's presidency) for 2023.
I think Tinubu is too formidable in the APC race such that he can easily defeat every other person if the party's primary election is conducted on a level-playing field. But then, the next few days will tell. But who do you think President Buhari has in mind as his choice of successor for 2023?

Kingsley Onwuka

03/06/2022

WHO SHOULD BE PETER OBI'S RUNNING MATE?
Peter Obi needs a strong Vice Presidential candidate to boost his presidential ticket on the LP platform. In my estimation, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State would be a very good option if he can be wooed to join Peter Obi.
Rabiu Kwankwanso is another good option if he can be convinced to swallow his pride and join forces with Peter Obi.

With a very good Vice Presidential candidate from the North, Mr. Peter Obi can win the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. Who should that person be, what do you think?

Let's talk Politics in Nigeria
Kingsley Onwuka is my name

01/06/2022

ATIKU'S RUNNING MATE FOR 2023
I'm not sure Atiku is comfortable with the option of Wike as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election. I think he is looking at such options as Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State or Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. But Wike, in my estimation, will make a good vice president. And Atiku may have nothing to fear in the option of Wike, as the responsibilities, powers and limitations of the office of Vice President are clearly spelt out in the constitution, although we understand the dynamics of Nigerian politics.

Obviously the Atiku ticket needs a big boost, Atiku needs to be paired with a very popular person from the Southern part of the country. It was the Peter Obi factor on the PDP ticket that made Atiku to garner up to 11 million votes in the last presidential election. This time around, who is such a popular figure from the South that can attract such a huge level of support to the Atiku ticket if made the vice presidential candidate of the PDP?

I'm not sure Professor Chukwuma Soludo would agree to abandon APGA and the governorship of Anambra State if he is wooed to be paired with Atiku on the ticket of the PDP for 2023 (Although nothing is impossible under the sun), Professor Soludo would have been the best option for Atiku since Peter Obi is no longer available for him.

I wish we still have Prof Dora Akunyili around. She would have been the best option for Atiku at this time. May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

Now the best option for Atiku in my estimation is either Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala or Oby Ezekwesili. Those two women of steel have the qualification, credibility and popularity to give the Atiku ticket the boost it needs, plus, the option of any of them carries the advantage of attracting gender sympathy and some bit of sympathy for the Igbo cause.
Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar the consideration is yours to make. Mine is to contribute my modest analysis and suggestion in the politics of our country as a way of contributing to the stimulation of national development.

Kingsley Onwuka is my name.

30/05/2022

Analysis of the situation in the South East, edition 2.

Guest Analyst: Mr Francis Inyama (HOD, Department of Public Administration, ACBMS, a private polytechnic in Ibadan)