Meeting Nigeria’s Leaders Since 1992Since 1992, I’ve had the privilege of meeting every Nigerian leader one-on-one, except General Sani Abacha. My experiences range from private interviews to a live group media chat with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Each encounter has been unique, but interviewing Obasanjo stands out as a particularly unpredictable challenge. In 2004, during an untelevised interview in his Library at the Presidential Villa, I faced Obasanjo’s wrath for questioning his government’s handling of Chris Uba’s political escapades in Anambra State. It took the intervention of his aides to diffuse the tension and save me from a physical altercation. Handling OPC Questions on AirA similar heated moment occurred during a live media chat when I asked why he ordered a shoot-on-sight directive against the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). Obasanjo’s fiery response was swift, accusing me of irreverence and warning me not to bring my column’s boldness to the Villa. He retorted, “If you’re a member of OPC, tell your people that I mean what I said!” Three Presidents, Three StylesOver the years, my interviews with subsequent presidents showcased distinct leadership styles: A 2016 interview with Buhari brought out his animated side when I probed his ousting by Babangida, which inspired a headline-grabbing story in The Interview magazine. Tinubu’s Path to an InterviewSecuring a televised interview with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a journey. Despite pressure from insiders, Tinubu avoided media engagements for 19 months into his presidency, citing the need to prioritize governance. A near-interview was canceled during the #EndBadGovernance protests in October. On December 18, I was invited to join a seven-member panel for the interview. Though we preferred a live format to foster transparency and spontaneity, the president opted for a recorded session, which ultimately aired as a 90-minute broadcast. Panel Insights and Unanswered QuestionsThe panel, which included prominent journalists like Dr. Reuben Abati and Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, prepared 20 questions and covered most of them during the session. However, some intriguing topics, such as Nyesom Wike’s political liabilities, local government funding, and the president’s assets declaration, didn’t make it to the broadcast. Tinubu’s responses were revealing. He praised Wike as a “performing minister” and explained the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, emphasizing the constitutionality of direct funding. On state police, he predicted a negotiated solution in the nation’s interest. Regarding his asset declaration, Tinubu stated he had fulfilled his legal obligation and hinted at the possibility of publicizing it in the future. ConclusionWhile the interview wasn’t live, it offered valuable insights into Tinubu’s presidency and leadership philosophy. One interview may not satisfy the public’s curiosity, but it’s a step toward bridging the gap between Nigerians and their president. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill proposing a six-year single term for the presidency of Nigeria. The constitutional amendment bill, initially introduced in June by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, was debated and subsequently dismissed on Thursday during a session on its general principles. The bill also included provisions to rotate the presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions and create two vice presidents—one for succession and another responsible for managing the economy. According to the proposal, the first vice president would assume the presidency if the sitting president becomes incapacitated, while the second vice president would serve as a minister overseeing economic affairs. In addition, the bill suggested that the president and the first vice president must hail from the same region (either the North or South), and both vice presidents would serve as ministers within the cabinet. The second vice president would be tasked with economic management. Rejection of the Bill During the plenary session, Ugochinyere was not permitted to lead the debate before his bill was put to vote. Despite his motion to read the bill a second time, the House overwhelmingly voted against it when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for a vote. Atiku’s Support for the Bill Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had expressed support for some aspects of the rejected bill, particularly the idea of rotating the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the proposed single six-year term. In August, Atiku submitted a memo to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, advocating for similar reforms. The 2014 National Conference had previously recommended a power rotation model that included rotating governorship positions among the three senatorial districts in each state. However, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan did not act on these recommendations before leaving office. READ ALSO:
