Destkelamedia

As Nigeria navigates the uncertain waters of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, growing concerns among citizens and analysts suggest that the country may be veering dangerously close to authoritarianism. Despite initial hopes for a prosperous future, a series of political and economic decisions have cast a shadow over Nigeria’s democratic landscape. Here are five key indicators that the nation could be on the brink of slipping into dictatorship. 1. Economic Reforms: A Double-Edged Sword President Tinubu’s administration began with a wave of economic reforms aimed at stabilizing Nigeria's faltering economy. The removal of the petrol subsidy, long seen as an unsustainable burden, was lauded by some as a necessary sacrifice. Additionally, the unification of exchange rates was welcomed by foreign investors who saw it as a move towards greater transparency.  However, the honeymoon period was short-lived. Public outcry erupted after the rapid approval of a ₦2.17 trillion

  Prominent social media commentator and self-proclaimed activist, VeryDarkMan, has openly criticized celebrities who financially supported Nigerian transgender personality, Bobrisky, during his recent time in prison. The controversy began when Bobrisky, known for his polarizing presence in the entertainment industry, publicly acknowledged several celebrities who provided him with monetary support while he was incarcerated. Among those listed were popular figures like Don Jazzy, Funke Akindele, Tonto Dike, and Tiwa Savage. In a viral video that has sparked widespread discussion, VeryDarkMan expressed his profound disappointment with the celebrities involved. He questioned their motives, asking what message they intended to send by donating large sums of money to someone who, according to him, had violated the law. “I saw names like Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, and I was shocked. I've lost respect for everyone on that list,” he stated passionately. “What exactly are they tryi

  In a brazen attack that has shocked the residents of Port Harcourt, a director of the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), Sir Aribibia Fubara, was kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday evening. The incident occurred near the Marine Base area of Port Harcourt, where the assailants executed their well-coordinated plan. The kidnappers, reported to be over six in number, arrived at the scene via a speedboat from the Okrika waterfront. Witnesses described how the gunmen fired sporadically into the air upon arrival, creating chaos and fear among bystanders. The attackers swiftly identified their target, whisking Fubara into their boat before speeding off to an unknown destination. Sir Aribibia Fubara, who is also a Knight of Saint Christopher in the Anglican Communion of the Church of Nigeria, was taken without any immediate demands from the kidnappers. As of the time of reporting, the abductors have yet to contact Fubara’s family, leaving them in a state of anxiet

The recent announcement by Nigeria’s Federal Government to enforce an age limit for students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has sparked significant debate across the country. The new policy, which sets the minimum age for the WASSCE and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams at 18, has drawn both support and criticism from key educational stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, emphasized that this age restriction is not a new policy but rather a reinforcement of existing guidelines. According to Mamman, the age of 18 aligns with the natural progression through Nigeria's education system, which typically culminates at this age after the completion of early child care, primary, and secondary education. The policy will also affect the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), ensuring that stud

State representatives at the recent Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting have voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government's decision to reserve an additional N600 billion from the federation’s revenue for the implementation of the new minimum wage. During the FAAC meeting held on August 16, 2024, it was revealed that the Federal Government transferred N200 billion into a non-savings account, bringing the total reserved funds to N595 billion. This decision, which affected the distribution of revenue to states, sparked significant debate among state finance commissioners. Akwa Ibom’s Finance Commissioner, Dr. Linus Noah, Delta’s Okenmor Tilije, and Ekiti’s Akintunde Oyebode were among those who raised concerns, arguing that the withheld funds should instead be distributed among the states to alleviate their financial difficulties. Despite an increase in gross revenue—from N2.48 trillion in June to N2.61 trillion in July—the FAAC distributed N1.36

A violent confrontation between members of the El Zakzaky-led Shiite group and officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command resulted in the deaths of ten people in Abuja on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Julius Berger area, escalating tensions in the city. Among the fatalities were both police officers and members of the Shiite group, with several individuals also sustaining gunshot wounds. The clash erupted when members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) allegedly launched an attack on a police checkpoint at Wuse junction. The FCT Police Command reported that the assailants were armed with machetes, knives, and improvised explosive devices—described as crude bombs made from kerosene-filled bottles. The violent encounter led to the destruction of three police patrol vehicles, which were set ablaze during the chaos. In response, police officers engaged in a fierce struggle to regain control of the area, leading to significant disrupti

Source: BusinessDay  The Federal Government of Nigeria faced a daunting fiscal challenge in 2023, recording a staggering deficit of N13.50 trillion. According to BudgIT, a civic tech organization, the government's revenue for the year stood at N5.99 trillion, while its expenditure soared to N19.50 trillion—more than three times its earnings. A fiscal deficit arises when a government's total spending surpasses its revenue within a given year, necessitating borrowing to bridge the gap. This inevitably contributes to the nation’s escalating debt burden. In a statement released on their X (formerly Twitter) account, BudgIT cited the 2023 Fiscal Accounts Report by the Accountant General of the Federation, highlighting the alarming financial imbalance. Specifically, the deficit accounted for 225% of the total revenue generated by the government. Breaking down the revenue sources, BudgIT noted that N3.80 trillion was obtained from the Federation Account Allocation Committe