Before Metuh Becomes Methuselah... By Ogundana Michael Rotimi

Ridding a corrupt country like Nigeria of corruption will take a little while, but it has to start from somewhere and by someone.

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions, slows down economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundations of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes and conducts, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is for soliciting bribes.

Economic progress is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the "start-up costs" required because of corruption.  Corruption threatens our national security and gives rise to a safe haven for terrorist. This is the scenario we find ourselves as a nation.

Frankly Speaking, Electoral Violence In Nigeria Is Becoming Unbearable! By Ogundana Michael Rotimi

First of all, congratulations to Governor Seriake Dickson for his hard earn victory to secure his second term in office in the just concluded Bayelsa State gubernatorial election.

But like many other Nigerian elections, it was not without violence and loss of lives. No fewer than 5 people lost their lives in the just concluded Bayelsa election. A process naturally that has nothing to do with arms and terror turned out bloody.

Nigeria, 17 years into democracy still struggle to hold a peaceful, free and fair election. Worse as it was, even in a state like Bayelsa- one of the smallest states in Nigeria both in land mass and population, the just concluded gubernatorial election was marred with violence and loss of lives.

By now, Nigeria should have come of age democratically. Elections are not war and should never be seen as a do or die affair.

It seems to me, that since the day of Nigerian independence, political positions suffer violence and the violent takes it by force. But this shouldn’t be so!

Beginning from the 1964–65 general elections, violence has been a major feature of electoral politics in the country.