SA News

By Seye Oladejo Politics is ultimately built on trust. Every campaign promise, every policy proposal and every appeal for public support rests on one indispensable currency: credibility. Once credibility is squandered, every subsequent claim becomes suspect. That is why recent revelations surrounding Mr. Peter Obi’s now infamous airport encounter and the CCTV narrative deserve serious attention from Nigerians. For a politician who has painstakingly cultivated the image of honesty and moral superiority, the CCTV episode has exposed an uncomfortable contradiction between carefully crafted public perception and verifiable facts. Leadership is not theatre. The presidency is certainly not an acting competition where emotional anecdotes can substitute for truth. It is an office that demands integrity, consistency and accountability. The controversy surrounding Mr. Obi’s claims once again reinforces what many discerning Nigerians have long observed-that he appears too willing to sacrifice acc...

By Seye Oladejo, Lagos APC Chieftain The successful rescue of the Oriire abductees is a moment of relief for every well-meaning Nigerian. We rejoice with the parents, families and the people of Oyo State whose prayers have finally been answered. We salute the gallant officers and men of our security agencies whose courage, professionalism and painstaking intelligence-led operations made the rescue possible. But beyond the celebration lies a political question that Governor Seyi Makinde owes Nigerians an answer. Is he still waiting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s phone call? At the height of the unfortunate incident, Governor Makinde chose to shift national attention from the plight of the victims to what appeared to be his disappointment that the President had not personally called him. Instead of inspiring confidence in ongoing rescue efforts, he succeeded in creating a needless media conversation around protocol and political optics. It was an unfortunate attempt to reduce governan...

By Seye Oladejo,  Lagos APC Chieftain The latest online frenzy christened “Adeyemigate” is yet another reminder that in today’s Nigeria, social media has become the preferred venue for instant convictions, where evidence is optional, emotions are supreme, and reputations are destroyed at the speed of a trending hashtag. The disturbing phenomenon should worry every patriotic Nigerian. It is becoming increasingly fashionable for politically motivated actors, content creators and digital propagandists to substitute facts with speculation, elevate allegations to convictions, and expect the public to abandon reason in favour of orchestrated outrage. Unfortunately, this culture is steadily eroding the very foundation of our democratic values. The latest target is the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Predictably, the social media merchants have convened their familiar courtroom. Without a charge being proved, without evidence being tested, and without competent...

In a major pre-emptive security operation to avert violence associated with the annual 7/7 cult celebrations, the Lagos State Police Command has arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and black spots across the state. The operation, ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, was carried out simultaneously by Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence that rival cult groups were mobilising to launch attacks and perpetrate other criminal activities. Police said the raids yielded 16 dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, battle axes, daggers and knives, as well as cult insignia, assorted charms, 11 bottles of alcoholic beverages, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, and six mobile phones believed to be linked to the suspects. Confirming the operation, the Police Public...

By Chidinma Eferebo Every election season, many Nigerians express frustration over bad governance and the widening gap between citizens and political leaders. Yet, when it is time to vote, large numbers stay away from the polls. Some believe their votes will not count; others are discouraged by broken promises and distrust in political institutions.  The truth is that democracy does not fail only when leaders abuse power or engage in corrupt practices. It also weakens when citizens surrender their voices. In Nigeria, political disengagement has increasingly become both a symptom of public frustration and a condition that benefits those who profit from the absence of public participation. Political disengagement occurs when citizens withdraw from democratic processes, including voting and other forms of civic participation through which they can influence public decisions. Although such withdrawal may seem harmless on the surface and a matter of personal decision, it often reflects ...

By Bukola Olukemi-Odele A mother walks into a store to buy a healthy snack for her child. The shelves are stocked with snacks, chocolates, and drinks, all featuring brightly coloured packaging adorned with child-friendly cartoon characters. She picks an item that displays bold nutrition claims, such as "fortified with brain-boosting vitamins for growth and vitality." This imagery gives her confidence that she is making a healthy choice for her family. However, it does not disclose the hidden sugars, excessive sodium, and unhealthy fats that could negatively impact her child's health.  This scene occurs every day in markets and shops across Nigeria, where consumers are bombarded with expertly crafted messages that make processed and prepackaged foods and drinks appear healthier than they actually are. Nigeria is currently undergoing a significant nutritional shift from traditional, nutrient-dense diets to processed and prepackaged foods. This change has resulted in a publi...