For decades, Nigeria’s civil society—comprising self-styled “concerned” academics, activists, public intellectuals, and student voices—has positioned itself as the conscience of the nation. It has consistently lamented the state of Nigeria’s politics, education, infrastructure, and governance. Yet, beneath this posture of moral authority lies a troubling pattern of contradictions, selective outrage,...
Leonard Shilgba
In contemporary Nigeria, an unsettling pattern continues to define political engagement among the elite: a preoccupation with control of party structures, often pursued with little regard for the lived realities of the people. The dominant conversation—who controls what, who leads which faction, who commands influence—has become increasingly detached from...
By LEONARD KARSHIMA SHILGBA – Since the return to democratic governance in 1999, and more pointedly from 2003, the politics of second-term governorship in Benue State has followed a troubling and predictable pattern. It is a pattern characterized by orchestrated resistance, elite gang-ups, weaponization of insecurity, and the deliberate...
There is a Nigerian we all know. In fact, if we are honest, we may occasionally recognize him in ourselves. He is passionate, expressive, and always ready with a diagnosis of everything wrong with the nation. His voice is loud, his grievances many, and his patriotism—well—often loudly declared but...
The unfolding contest within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State between the camps of Hyacinth Alia and George Akume is being framed as a dispute over ward, local government, and state party congresses. But that description understates the gravity of what is happening. This is not merely...
Nigeria is changing. Our economy is slowly stabilizing, sectoral self-reliance is inching forward, and new alliances are forming—not least with the BRICS community. These shifts are happening under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But make no mistake: the more Nigeria asserts independence, the less “reliable” we look to the West....
Nigeria’s aviation industry has grown significantly over the last two decades, with remarkable improvements in flight safety, fleet expansion, and passenger traffic. Yet, a persistent limitation remains: the overwhelming concentration of flight connectivity around Lagos and Abuja. Almost all domestic commercial routes are structured as spokes leading into either...
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) made a bold and calculated move on July 9, 2025, unveiling itself formally to the political landscape of Benue State. This event, hailed as a success by party insiders, is notable not merely for its symbolism but for the political weight of the personalities...
In the theatre of Nigerian politics, the two major actors—the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—have dominated the stage for over two decades. Yet the recent loss of moral clarity within both parties, punctuated by high-profile defections, elite deal-making without ethical dictations, and ideological vacuity,...
President Tinubu visited Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, supposedly on a condolence visit. Among other things, he called for unity, collaboration, and composition of a “committee” in search of solutions. Barely 72 hours after the visit, the representative of the Makurdi/Guma Constituency, where the Yelewata massacre happened a...
PART ONE: EDUCATION With less than 8 weeks to May 29, 2025 today, I have undertaken an altruistic and apolitical assessment of the midterm performance of the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State. It is about halftime! Every week from Sunday, April 6 until Sunday, May...