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Last week, August 27, 2024, was the 39th anniversary of the coup that toppled Gen Muhammadu Buhari, erstwhile GOC 3rd Armored Division of the Nigerian Army. On that day, Fatima Gumsu, daughter of military despot, Gen Sani Abacha, who is also wife of Yobe State governor, Mai Mala-Buni, sparked a debate. It led to a comparative assessment of military autocracy and civilian dictatorship. Gumsu had posted a photograph of her father in full military regalia on Facebook. On the photo, Gumsu merely wrote, “Baba na” – my father – with an emoji of “Love”. In the photo, Abacha was flanked by then Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen Ibrahim Babangida, who later became military president; and Gen Joshua Dogonyaro, who announced the palace coup on radio. The trio, who had just seized power, accused Buhari of high-handedness, incompetence and failure "to rejuvenate the economy”. Earlier, on December 31, 1983, all of them had violently brought to a rude halt Nigeria’s Second Republic. No matter the g

Frantically, I have never been desperate for anything in my life. Never! And how I wish everyone could honestly say so about themselves. Most Nigerians are very desperate to acquire money, fame, and political power. I think the idea of getting something at all costs can drive one crazy, leading someone to make decisions that can prevent them from reaching heaven and drive all rational thoughts from a person’s mind. I appreciate the word ‘consistency,’ and I am conscious of the word ‘loyalty.’ But to be frank, the politics of alliance with our brothers in the Northern part of Nigeria always comes with a price. Let me take you down memory lane: when Chief S.L. Akintola formed an alliance with the Northern Party, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), against Chief Awolowo’s Action Group, the majority of the people in Awolowo’s camp incited the Yorubas against him. They turned his people against him. All the good things he was known for were forgotten. He was assassinat