One of the great mysteries of Nigerian politics is the remarkable journey politicians undertake between the words "I want nothing" and the phrase "I am honoured to accept."
The Man Who Wanted Nothing By Lawson Akhigbe
Amen Edore Oyakhire
Amen Edore Oyakhire (born 21 October 1945) was the Military Administrator of Taraba State between August 1996 and August 1998 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. He was then administrator of Oyo State during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over to the elected civilian governor Lam Adesina in May 1999 at the start of the Fourth Republic.
Ozalla: When 27 Nigerians Died and the Law Looked Away by Lawson Akhigbe
In 2004, in the heart of Edo State, 27 people reportedly lost their lives in circumstances so horrifying that they read less like a contemporary news report and more like a medieval witch trial.
Tinubu, the Sahel and Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Foreign Policy Failure
There was a time when Nigeria did not wait for foreign capitals to define West African security. From the anti-apartheid struggle in Southern Africa to military interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, Nigeria projected power, influence and diplomatic leadership. Whether one agreed with its methods or not, nobody doubted who was leading.
When “We Had No Choice” Becomes a Legal Doctrine: The Doctrine of Necessity in Nigerian Constitutional Law by Lawson Akhigbe
Nigerian public life has a tradition of justifying questionable legal actions with the doctrine of necessity, a principle originating from the UK's unwritten constitution. This doctrine allows for actions deemed unlawful under normal circumstances if they are necessary to prevent greater harm, such as escaping a burning building. However, Nigeria, with its codified Constitution of 1999, presents a stark contrast. The constitution, seen as the supreme law, renders any act inconsistent with it void. The article questions how the doctrine of necessity can coexist within a constitutional democracy like Nigeria, highlighting the tension between the flexible nature of UK law and the rigid framework of Nigeria's constitution.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 