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My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

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4 years ago

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My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Since 1993 when billionaire Moshood Abiola set the pace from the private sector by throwing his hat into the ring for the presidential election, he used his charisma to lure a lot of young people into partisan politics. Abiola ignited a mini revolution by going into some higher institutions in Nigeria and donating to several causes that would better the lot of the entire community. Many of them who were students in those days have graduated and some are still struggling to make ends meet till this day. He achieved similar feats outside the shores of this country which earned him the title of pillar of sports in Africa. His constituency was mostly young people and he never wasted opportunities to help them become better citizens. Almost 20 years after his demise, the opposite is the case, the present leaders keep recycling themselves. They don’t care about the young in spite of the so-called not too young to run bill which has been passed. In Nigeria today, the population of young people keep increasing and most of them have been edged out of the political system. And you know what that means, they will be bouncing back with violence if not well handled before the next general election.

If over 70 percent of the population of Nigeria is made up of some of these young people, who saw the winner of the June 12, 1993 election move around and received the kind of acceptance he got in company of his vice Presidential candidate Babagana Kingibe, then all those politicians in the older bracket of the age ladder should be terribly scared about the current enlightenment around the young people of today. I am talking about those in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s who form less than 6 percent of the population of Nigeria. These young people have been frustrated over the misbehaving political class and have vowed to take back the country from these political casanovas. People who defect from one party to another without principles. I mean the foundational principles laid down for them by Aminu Waziri, Solomon Lar, Obafemi Awolowo, Zik of African and many others who lived up to the early eighties. These people gave hope to their followers. And even when such hope is diminished, like when Awo lost to Shehu Shagari, the principles of being progressives guided them on.

Why politicians defect from one party to the other

Politicians who defect from one party to the other do so mostly for their personal interest and not for the people they claim to serve. That is why some of them who have contested for the same position several times unfortunately do so to oil the engine of me, my wife and children. And not for the generality of their people. Very few political stalwarts can actually claim to be innocent of this awkward behavior including the progressives. After defecting some of them are promised of sure victory because they are sure of using the young people to rig them into office. They believe that the winner takes it all mentality is a good thing and the shortest route to join the upper class. So let’s rig and win. This is so since there is no guarantee of such long term riches again in the middle class which is almost wiped out in Nigeria.

One senator acquires so many cars and houses yet the condition of his people does not improve in anyway. These young people are mostly used as his thugs and they see all these forms of ostentatious life oiled by stolen cash. Stolen mostly from the porous system created to favor a particular section of the country. They award contract to themselves in the name of settlement and patronage for those who work for them to be rigged into office. And they share the butty with the civil servants who are willing tools in the hands of these political plunderers.

Sadly some defect when they are deprived of stomach infrastructure or a chance to get to a particular office. And when they ultimately move to the new party they will contest several times until they are in position of power which is the ultimate aim. Some even see partisan politics as a profession that should feed them instead of a call to service. And that is what most Nigerians who flock around them know as feathering their nest by acquiring so much to keep them going during the rainy day. The sad reality of what is going on in Nigeria is that ignorance is perpetually used as a weapon to keep the followers from knowing the truth. And when that is done, they begin to hope that the next President will be better. If he is not better, their hopes begin to deem till it gets to a point of no return. The cult like figure that some of these politicians have will surely disappear if by the end of the 2023 election, the young people do not see hope at the end of the tunnel. The billions that some of them have will no longer work as a bait and these political stalwarts will no longer be safe. Some may be going back to their mansion in London to hide. This time not for politics but to stay underground. Of a truth some of them had billions made from businesses before coming to look for the power like Chief Moshood Abiola, who was a philanthropist and longed for power, while others came to power purely out of greed before looking for the cash using the very civil servants they met in the system. 

Bad influence of the politicians on the civil servants

Once upon a time, it was mostly the political holders that used to end up being stupendously rich before the present sick form of corruption in government which has become the norm disturbingly at the Federal level in spite of anti graft agencies breathing down their heads. Now it is the civil servants that are eying the billions. At present, the civil servants no longer want to teach the political elites how to steal while they go home with a paltry gratuity after 35 years. They too now steal with impunity as we have seen from the statistics churned out by the Economic and Finance Crime Commision (EFCC).

Indeed, some of the reasons why Africa has so much backwardness is because most of the people who clamoured to get into political offices are equally backward and possibly unemployable. So the only option is to steal through getting into the system or come in through the backdoor as a credible contractor, collect juicy contracts and steal most of it after the accountant general has been given his share. Some of them claim to have gone to school but gone are the days when the sound of their certificates draws one to attention. This is because most of them bought their teachers and acquired the certificates at all costs which is why when some of them stand up to speak for their people in the National Assembly watchers of the polity  wonder how this one got there.

Also Read: Italy-bound physically challenged man arrested with drugs…

When they get out of school, their mindset is channelled on how to get a white coloured job where they can be able to steal as much as they cannot spend in their life time. That explains why a man will climb the ladder of the ministry of finance only to get to the level of Accountant General of the federation and steal as much as N200 billion in the period of his appointment. The man who replaced him is suddenly replaced after being fingered as having soiled fingers by the financial intelligence agencies. And sadly these are the people that teach politicians how to steal. It is this stealing with impunity that these young people have been seeing that has built up these pent up anger. That is why the general election of 2023 will be a strange one because so many unthinkable surprises will emerge.

Strange reasons some Nigerian politicians are desperate to hold on to power

Most Nigerians want to get into politics because it’s the easiest way to get rich quickly and establish members of their families. The Nigerian polity is so distablized because you have people with no principles jumping from one party to the other wanting to situate themselves where it is happening so that they will participate in the sharing of the Commonwealth of the masses, making them worse than they met them. They rely on the politics of patronage and settlement to achieve their goals. That is why the nation has never had good governance since President Shehu Shagari left office. It’s either we have a military despot who was killing everyone to civilian leaders who ran the country based on trial and error. We have not had a Commander in Chief who has been able to handle security effectively for instance in the last 20 years. These are the worries of the young people.

What you have now are recycled and sick leaders who lack ideas but are holding tightly to parties to help them get into power. None of them can in their individual merit run as independent candidates and even win in their council areas. That is why they don’t be want the independent candidacy clause to be inserted into the reviewed constitution and passed in the National Assembly. 

 If not why would there be so much desperation in the realm of politicking to become President of Nigeria? Why would someone be so condescending to insist that it is his turn now? Even if we were in a federation of turn by turn inserted in the constitution, is it really his turn? How will these young people feel seeing someone desperately insisting that it is his turn? What about those in the south east don’t they have a right to say it’s their turn too?

Sadly, these are some of the questions these young and angry members of the public use to pose to us whenever we come across them. As a journalist, I am trained to ask the questions and not to pretend to understand the minds of all politicians including the diabolical ones who steal and are dragged to court by EFCC. Of course the innocent ones will escape even without a good lawyer but what marvels me is that some guilty ones still find time to go back and re-contest for offices. Such politicians hardly have shame. No need to name anybody here but they know themselves. Why is it that some of them who have actionable cases with the EFCC are not ashamed to contest? Known drug dealers and sniffers are in public offices with heads raised high up. Some of them contest elections and the same young people who take their drugs kill and steal ballot boxes on their behalf. Win or loose, they are allowed to walk around and pollute every one. Why should anyone vote for you when you disrespect and look down on the people by telling us that it’s your turn? Or you have contested 5times and you think you are the only one qualified to contest again. Why should I piety any sick one just because he has thrown his hat into the ring? Who says our tribe is not qualified to have the presidency? How about our religious group,  are we so useless that no one is qualified to represent us? Why is it that there is no ideology in the parties? All of them lean towards a common front?   The stomach ideology which is common to all the strong parties. 

The bottom line for a national front for the country is for a third force to come as canvarsed for by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo recently. A third force based on justice fairness and balance.

My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

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Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

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4 hours ago

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June 11, 2026

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Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

By Balami Lazarus

Insecurity remains the most daunting challenge confronting Nigeria today, undermining our very existence and threatening the social and economic fabric of the nation. As a concerned citizen and observer of Nigeria’s ongoing crises, I hereby present my personal and radical perspective on how to eradicate this menace once and for all. This discourse is not an official stance of any institution but rather a heartfelt plea for decisive and transformative actions.

The scale of insecurity in Nigeria is alarming. Kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism have become the ominous triad casting a shadow over the country. Daily headlines recount stories of abductions, killings, and destruction of property, raising urgent questions: Are Nigerians truly safe? What concrete measures have our leaders put in place? Equally important, what roles are citizens playing in reversing this trend? The answers to these questions are not encouraging.

Drawing inspiration from the defiant spirit of the rock band Twisted Sister and their 1984 anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” the Nigerian people are increasingly exasperated with governmental inertia and broken promises. There is a collective realization that the status quo is untenable, and something must change radically. Yet, the fog of insecurity thickens, shrouded in layers of suspected conspiracies and opaque dealings that complicate straightforward solutions.

Having reflected deeply on the root causes and potential remedies, I propose a multi-dimensional and radical strategy aimed at dismantling the structures that perpetuate insecurity. This approach challenges conventional wisdom and demands bold leadership and citizen cooperation. It begins with the fundamental re-evaluation of Nigeria’s historical, geographical, and political arrangements—a re-examination crucial for any meaningful intervention.

First and foremost, restructuring Nigeria is imperative. Our current centralized system breeds inefficiency and disconnects governance from ground realities. A major component of this restructuring is the establishment of state police forces across all federating units. Each state should deploy well-trained, properly equipped security personnel, armed with sophisticated weaponry and clear operational mandates to combat insurgents, kidnappers, and bandits proactively. Presently, the absence of localized policing forces handicaps rapid response and intelligence gathering, allowing criminal elements to thrive.

State police would serve as frontline defenders, customizing security strategies to the unique threats within their jurisdictions. The federal police force can then focus on broader national security tasks rather than overstretching its already limited resources. By decentralizing policing, the government would empower states to take ownership of their security challenges, fostering accountability and efficiency.

Nigeria has already paid a dear price in lives lost and properties destroyed due to insecurity. The ripple effects extend to economic downturns, reduced foreign investment, and increased poverty—factors that further entrench instability. Given the apparent lack of political will by federal authorities to decisively confront these threats, an alternative democratic mechanism such as a national referendum on regional governments should be considered. This would allow the six geopolitical zones plus the Middle Belt to govern their affairs with greater autonomy, tailoring policies and security frameworks to local needs.

Such regionalism could dilute the potency of criminal networks by disrupting their operations and reducing the power vacuum currently exploited in many areas. Regional governments would also be better positioned to address socio-economic development, a vital component in the fight against insecurity since marginalization and unemployment often fuel violence.

However, if these reforms fail or are ignored, a more drastic option looms: the peaceful separation and balkanization of Nigeria into distinct republics. While controversial, this last-resort proposal recognizes the deep divisions exacerbating insecurity and mistrust among ethnic and regional groups. Envision independent states such as Biafra, Oduduwa, Niger Delta Republic, Middle Belt Republic, and Arewa, alongside any other ethnic groups seeking self-determination. Would insecurity persist in this new arrangement? I argue capital “no.”

Fragmenting the country along ethnic and cultural lines could usher in relative peace by allowing homogeneous populations to govern themselves without imposed central authority that currently breeds conflict. While skeptics fear such a breakup could trigger further violence, history suggests that forced unity without consensus breeds chronic instability. Thus, a consensual and peaceful partition might be preferable to ongoing bloodshed and despair.

This is not a call for reckless division but a candid assessment of the realities Nigerians face daily. The government, under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, stands at a crossroads. It can either embrace genuine reforms and act boldly to restructure governance and security frameworks or risk the disintegration of the Nigerian state altogether.

I believe Nigeria’s insecurity crisis demands radical and multifaceted solutions beyond incremental adjustments. The establishment of state police forces, regional autonomy through a national referendum, and, if necessary, peaceful balkanization represent pathways to ending this menace. The time for rhetoric is over; the moment for courageous and visionary action is now. If neglected, Nigeria’s unity and stability will unravel, leaving behind fractured states grappling with even graver challenges.

I urge the government, stakeholders, and citizens alike to consider these proposals thoughtfully and engage in frank discussions about the future of our nation. Only then can we hope to reclaim the peace and prosperity that every Nigerian deserves.

Balami Lazarus

Publisher/Columnist

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Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

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Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

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2 weeks ago

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May 29, 2026

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Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

By: Balami Lazarus

Long-term investments have never been the likes of most Nigerians. In fact, few have come to realize the secret of letting my money work for me through my investments in some going concerns (businesses).

Good and profitable investments in the three businesses

Arms will go a long way for financial independence and freedom.

Let me draw your attention to life in the jungle where rules are conditioned based on territorial control. The honey badger, the most fearless of all animals, has no respect for territories, including the swamps where crocodiles are kings. The Honey Badgers have long realized that their physical strength and ability do not lie in their size but in their biological capacity and anatomical system to do what they are used to doing at ease among other animals in the wild.

Similarly, if you invest and take a position in the three business investments, no doubt your returns on investments (RoI) will give you the desired results to control and rule without territorial limits in your domestic affairs and the environment.

I am not a business owner but a part owner of some businesses. One thing I know, and I always do, is to continue to develop and improve myself with knowledge in business investments for financial freedom and independence, considering my attitudes for self-freedom for when to do and/or not to do. Reasonably, you can exhibit this financial freedom through your returns on investments (RoI).

This has taught me what to do and when. It has further educated me on how, when, and where to invest—short or long-term period. I have also learned to develop some businesses and lease them out to other people to run them.

The information age has these days made making money through investments much easier and cheaper for those who want to be financially independent if tomorrow comes, most times with a modicum of health.

challenges.

Investment benefits will improve and

stabilized your mental and social life; an alibi to aging gracefully when the body is tired, weak, and fragile.

What are these three (3) arm investments? The phrase is my coinage, which simply means property (real estate), agriculture, and stocks. While some called it business streams. However, the good

The thing about investments is that an investor is making money in other businesses and is free from being part of the management of the business.

Therefore, the objective of every business investment is to translate them into financial gains. That is why core investors are always on the lookout for investment opportunities to put their money in and become part owners of the business concerns.

This piece, I believe, will be food for thought for wise minds. Better late than never.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist 08036779290

Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

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Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

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2 months ago

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April 21, 2026

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Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

By: Balami Lazarus

This piece made me recall my attempt to write the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) examinations years ago that I cannot remember now. I deliberately failed to continue with no reasons to give or shift blame as an escape route, which humans many do to console themselves of their failures. I (the writer) have learned never to do that.

However, no knowledge or experience is a waste for a wiseman. Hence, this work is derived from the knowledge gotten from the handouts and books I read on capital, equity, and/or stock market investments, where patience is the guiding principle as an investor taking into consideration this formula: Money > Units (Stocks) × Time + Patience = capital appreciations/dividends.

Many Nigerians are unaware of this equity/capital market. And if they do, they lack knowledge on what to do and how to invest in this market (kasuwan hanun jari).

It will shock you to know that there are so many share certificates in the hands of the citizens, amounting to thousands of units of shares worth billions of naira put together, laying fallow, not knowing what to do with them.

For I have seen many and assisted friends and relatives on what to do. Thanks for the digitalization of the market; it has made things much easier for investors and traders, including dividend payments currently taking place.

And surprisingly, there is over $190 billion in unclaimed dividends in the coffers of the federal government under the watch of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is the regulatory body.

This large amount of money came as a result of some shareholders not knowing how to claim their dividends. While others may be due to the attitudes of procrastination.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), now officially Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, which is run as a public liability company guided by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with its nomenclature as (NGX), also has her stocks traded on the exchange floor at Lagos.

I will not say much on the NGX. But be informed it is the trading floor of public companies’ stocks listed with the exchange where traders and investors can buy and sell their stocks or simply shares from Mondays to Fridays (5 times) in a week from 9am to 2pm daily.

Every year most companies hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM), informing their shareholders of the progress of their companies and whether or not to declare dividends to their shareholders depending on the strength of profits after tax (PAT) to those whose names appear on the list of the company registrars before the date of declaration.

The season of dividend declarations is most times done in April through June of each year. However, companies’ dividends vary in the sum of money paid to their shareholders depending on their units’ holdings in each company as part owners.

Dividends have added monetary value to shareholders and, by extension, improved the capacity of small- and medium-scale businesses in the economy because of the large amounts of money that have been paid into their various accounts either as individuals or as business enterprises.

Investors and capital market watchers are one group in society that is better informed on this segment of the Nigerian economy. And the investing group of citizens are making millions upon millions of naira from their investments in the market.

Take Guaranty Trust Company (GTCO) Plc, owners of Guaranty Trust Bank, as an example. Having declared a dividend of 11.67kobo per share for her shareholders. And assuming you, the reader, have a shareholding of only 1 million units. #11.67k x 1m = to #11,670,000 less 10% withholding tax (WHT), you will be credited with #10,503,000 your dividend as return on investment (RoI) on 28th April 2026 payment date.

What a profitable investment/dividend payment season.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist. 08036779290

Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

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