Category: This, that and the other

The impulse to reach for Roman emperors when critiquing modern leaders is understandable. Nero (r. 54–68 CE), like Caligula before him, embodies decadence, tyranny, and civilizational risk in the popular imagination. As discussions of Trump’s second term (2025–2028) continue, some commentators explicitly invoke Nero to highlight perceived narcissism, norm-breaking, extravagance, and authoritarian tendencies.But, as with …

Continue reading "Comparing Donald Trump to Nero’s Excesses: Another Roman Analogy Under Scrutiny by Lawson Akhigbe"

Screenshot History has a habit of recycling its characters, sometimes as tragedy, sometimes as farce, and occasionally as a reality TV reboot with nuclear codes. Which brings us to the question: is Donald Trump a modern-day Caligula, or are we flattering him, and terrifying ourselves, by reaching for that particular analogy? Let’s proceed with caution. …

Continue reading "Caligula in a Red Tie? Or Just Another Loud Emperor? Lawson Akhigbe"

Nigerian politics has always had a theatrical quality to it. Our politicians rarely speak with restraint. Nuance is considered weakness, exaggeration is mistaken for conviction, and opinion is frequently presented as established fact. Press conferences often resemble auditions for Nollywood productions rather than serious political engagement. One of the enduring weaknesses of Nigerian political parties …

Continue reading "When Politicians Litigate Politics by Lawson Akhigbe"