Robert Frost (1874-1963), the iconic American poet, once penned that, “The best way out is always through.” That seven-word line could be interpreted to mean that as individuals, family, government, institution or systems, confronting our challenges directly is often the way to truly overcome them.
As Nigerians battle worsening insecurity and economic hardship, the Federal Government may claim to be doing its best, but obviously, it’s very best has not been enough in the face of escalating banditry, terrorism, kidnappings for ransom, killings and other violent crimes that have assailed the country in the last two decades.
From the North-East to the North-West, North Central to South West, South-South and South East, there is unanimity of voices that the insurgency facing the country must be confronted head on by all, and the onus lies more with the government at all levels, but especially security apparatuses at the centre, with support from governors at the sub-national level.
Nigerians have also been living through very excruciating economic hardship, especially in the last three years of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government following the sudden removal of fuel subsidy on his first day in office on May 29, 2023. That policy decision may have saved the country from depression as government officials have claimed, but its impact on the quality of life of most citizens have stuck like the chameleon feaces that refuses to go away, no matter how hard one cleans it.
And so, the electorate are warming up for change come 2027. The elections are going to be keenly contested and Nigerians are ready to make sacrifices to ensure that change. But it appears that the government of the day which is alleged to be displaying incompetence in governance based on the estimation of many opinion leaders, is desperately plotting to hijack the election in the form of rigging and result manipulation. This claim is evident in the way and manner many surrogates and bootlickers of the Bola Tinubu government are insisting that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock Presidential Villa come 2027, a claim many suspect to be a sheer desperation on the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in cahoots with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to thwart the will of the people in the forthcoming presidential election.
On their part, hungry and angry Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the obnoxious policies of the incumbent administration, have vowed that they would defend their votes with the last drop of their blood. They have, out of frustration, threatened that should the inexplicable glitches that marred the 2023 presidential election reoccur in 2027 presidential election, they would raze down INEC offices across the nation.
This is the focus of our Cover Story for this edition titled: “Alarming Insecurity, Hardship: Tinubu’s Comeback’ll Be Disastrous”.
In our usual down-to-earth manner of presenting matter-of-fact stories, we also beamed out searchlight on the damning questions challenging the much-talked about creation of state police, President Tinubu’s extension of an olive branch to terrorists, the ongoing row over the alleged N210 trillion sleaze in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s choice for running mate under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
We also serve a mélange of other interesting stories on just climate transition, flooding in Aggah Community in Rivers State caused by the activities of oil firms, as well as the demand by the people of Eket and Ibeno Communities in Akwa Ibom to kick out all polluting International Oil Companies (IOCs) from their soil, having caused decades of devastation and loss of livelihoods.
On the business and economy section, you will come to terms with the fact that just in case you are considering taking a loan from digital microfinance banks, think again, because there is no guarantee of ease and peace of mind in EasyBuy VIP loans.
Also in focus are other sections on the imminent ethnic war in Rivers over who becomes the next governor of the state, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike insisting on a firm grip on the power game of the oil-rich state, entertainment and crime, among others.
Grab a copy and enjoy!
