Politics has its own rules. Timing and perception matter as much as intentions. Those who see it only through a moral or religious lens often misread the dangers, and that is exactly what happened in this case. Recently, at the burial of the mother of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai, a moment meant for grief turned into a political scene. Present there was Uba Sani, a man whose political relationship with El‑Rufai has grown tense in recent times. Pantami wanted to get the credit for reconciliation and insisted on a public handshake between the two former (according to El-Rufai) friends. From a religious standpoint, one might understand the need for that. In faith traditions, reconciliation is virtuous, and many scholars often encourage believers to mend broken ties. Pantami likely saw the moment through that spiritual frame. He may, in his mind, have been drawing inspiration from a hadith that promotes peace between disputing parties. But politics is a differen...
For decades, we have watched Nigeria fall deeper into economic hardship, insecurity, and bad governance, yet every election cycle, many Nigerians still cling to the illusion that their region or ethnic group will produce the nation’s messiah. It is exhausting. It is sad. And it is a tragic sign of our collective failure to learn from history. How many times has the North ruled this country? Since independence, northern leaders have dominated Nigeria’s political space, from military dictators to civilian presidents. And what has the North gained? Is it economic prosperity? Is it security? Is it the end of poverty and illiteracy? Or is it the continued decay of a region where millions of children roam the streets as almajirai, while the so called elites live an unimaginable luxury? Take Muhammadu Buhari, for example. His son never went around feeding the poor. His wife, I may not have all the data, but I never seen her run charities that changed lives. His entire presidency was...