To be or not to be? That is the question that leaders the world over who have stayed more than two decades in power must be asking themselves now, after the avalanche of protests in the Arab world has crumbled otherwise untouchable demi-gods. Of course, Muammar Gadaffi by now should know that his days are numbered, not only in Libya…

Police deployed to cover the country’s April polls are complaining of non-payment of duty allowance for the period so far, which has lasted nine days. Some of the police that spoke to NEXT on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the N500 per day for the rank and file, N750 for inspectors, and N1000 feeding allowance approved for the officers, is…

With commercial activities and meetings by political groups stretching into the night, Olusola Saraki’s house in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, is now the city’s centre of attraction. The 79-year-old former Senator, popularly referred to as ‘Baba Saraki’, is well acknowledged as the grand master of Kwara politics, having decided most of the past political leaders in the state. Mr.…

The director general of the National Youth Service Corps, Muharazu Ismaila Tsiga, has said those who planted yesterday's bomb that killed 11 people, mostly corps members, should be killed by firing squad when apprehended. "Every time you mention the firing squad, people scream about human rights as if the victims have no rights," Mr Tsiga said. The NYSC boss was…

Ukoha Ukiwe is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Administrative Studies, University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. He is also an election observer under the aegis of the CLEAN Foundation. He analyses the build up to elections in Rivers State. Build up to elections in Rivers State Compared to the 2003 and 2007 elections, the buildup…

Irate mob made up of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada, yesterday went on rampage in Effunrun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State, burning down the Ebrumede Police Post and setting ablaze about eight vehicles parked in the premises of the police post. The mob’s action also led to the release of some unidentified suspects detained in the…

Gbenga Ogunniya has a big task ahead of him as he hopes to be re-elected to represent Ondo Central senatorial district for the fourth time in the National Assembly. Unlike the previous elections where Mr Ogunniya had easy victories, this year’s election seems to be different because he has the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko to contend with. Incidentally, Messrs Ogunniya…

To realize this objective, the commissioner said that the ministry had sensitized farmers to ensure that they cast their votes on election days. ``Farmers should vote the right people into the right places. ``By doing this they would help to elect the right people who would make the right policies that would enhance agricultural practice and move it to the…

“The tract record of Jonathan’s administration speaks for its self,’’ Bafarawa said in Sokoto.” Nigerians are not clamouring for a political change because the one year of his administration has direct bearing on their lives.’’ He said Jonathan’s achievements ranged from the supply of adequate petroleum products and job creation, to the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta. According…

The only senatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Ekiti State, Dixon Agboola, yesterday withdrew from the race and pitched his tent with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), along with his party supporters. Mr. Agboola, a former Labour Party leader and the CPC senatorial candidate in Ekiti Central Senatorial district, stepped down for the ACN candidate…

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) embarked on a campaign to reduce illicit hard drugs consumption by youths through various programmes. The agency’s Commandant in Abia, Florence Ezeonye, disclosed the initiative in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba, Abia on Wednesday. Mrs Ezeonye said the agency had already organised a counselling and sensitisation programme…

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Senatorial candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District of, Olu Agunloye yesterday accused the state government of sponsoring hoodlums to deface his billboards in the area. He lamented that most of the billboards he erected in Akoko land had been removed by Labour Party (LP) supporters while in some cases, his posters were removed and…

A medical doctor, Femi Fakorede, working with the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, has died from a disease suspected to be Lassa fever. The chief medical director of the centre in the Adamawa State capital, Aliyu Danburam, made this known after three of the institution’s medical personnel were strangely diagnosed of the disease. The victim died at the Irrua Specialist Centre…