Politics
THOUGHTS ON MOUNTAIN OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
THOUGHTS ON MOUNTAIN OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS,
BY HONOR ONYEBUCHUKWU
I will like to begin this discourse by defining Government and politics in a very straight forward manner.
Government connotes and represents all the processes of governing at all levels, be it at the ward, local, state, federal or national. It is the body vested with the supreme power of the affairs of citizens of a state.
The supreme power of a state lies in the hands of the government thereby giving it the authority to make and enforce laws and implement policies as well. Also, the Merriam Webster Dictionary defines government as the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc. It is the particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc.
Broadly, government is made up of three organs to wit, the executive, legislature, and the judiciary. The functions of government includes but it is not limited to; law making, military defense of the country, maintenance of law and order; promotion of economic growth and development; protection of lives and properties and the general wellbeing of its citizenry etc.
Politics on the other hand, refers to the process through which individuals and groups reach agreement on a course of common or collective action even when they disagree on the intended goals of that action. Politics is associated with making decisions and everything that relates to power. It is how power, resources and status are shared. To Harold Lasswell politics is ‘who gets what, when and how’. Politics could also be seen as the activities that directly or indirectly pertain to the emergence, consolidation and the use of state power. Thomas Dye and Brigid Harrison opine that politics is the study of power.
Whichever definition we may be tempted to adopt as apposite and appropriate we must however bear in mind that all power belongs to God .We must not lose grip of Jesus declaration as it relates to power. It is even said that next to God is politics.
Politics and governance or government is not theoretical but practical. And this is the angle upon which this discourse shall be examined. For me, governance in its ramification is service and selflessness. See Isaiah 11:6 in the good Book.
Unarguably, government and politics controls all other aspects of human endeavours; be it education, family, economy, religion etc. The government in power distributes, appoints who should be where and makes decisions and policies that touches on every sphere of human existence.
INGREDIENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS
For one to reach stardom in the arena of politics and government, the following essential and core ingredients must be keenly observed; Passion, Preparation, People and Participation. The Four ‘Pees’.
Passion connotes strong and barely controllable emotion. Any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. It represents determination. Passion for what is good and commitment towards its realization is fundamental in the attainment of such a goal. No one can succeed in any endeavour without an undying passion for such an endeavor. Likewise, to come to lime light in the field of politics, passion is required to surmount all the daunting and unpredictable challenges and obstacles that one is bound face. Passion for a course is the force that keeps one going in the face of seeming insurmountable challenges or obstacles. It is passion that will make a man to contest for an election again and again after defeat.
The role and import of passion as a cardinal ingredient for participation in politics cannot be exhausted.
Preparation represents the action or process of preparing or being prepared for use or consideration. Aside passion, there is the need for adequate preparation for any venture one wants to undertake. And for politics the earlier one starts preparing the better.
Preparation is infinitive. It is doing all that one needs to do to achieve ones’ dream. It entails living responsibly, acquiring the requisite qualifications, skills, knowledge, networking, attending trainings, conferences, joining platform that can better the chances of achieving ones dream, having mentors etc. No one can attain a goal or dream not prepared for. Therefore, for any political office one desire to vie for, adequate preparation need to be done.
People politics is about power. And the people decide who holds power at every given time. So you need people to bring your aspiration and desires to manifestation. In politics and government, no man is an Island as relationship is the currency here. If you have all the money and you do not have people to assist you in achieving your passion and dream, it will not work. You need people who believe in your capacity, competence, and character who are willing to stand with you to succeed in politics. Power resides in the people, so you must be the peoples’ person for them to give you their mandate.
Participation there is need for everyone to be involved in politics and government whether directly or indirectly. To achieve that, one must start from the unit and community where one lives. It is sad, unfathomable and unbelievable to know that persons live in areas where nobody know them neither do they themselves know their neighbor also. To correct such anomaly, it is important to be part of the Residents Association in the neighbourhood where you reside and to pay your dues if any because communal living enhances political participation.
There is undoubtedly no better and appropriate time to be involved in the national politics and overall interest than now. This is against the backdrop of the colossal level political apathy in our society. A large chunk of the citizens both literates illiterates show cold feet towards politics yet wants or envisage good government or governance which is impossible when the right people are not elected. Others demonize and see politics as ‘a dirty game’ which do not require their input, ignoring the fact that the government in power has a significant impact and bearing in their lives.
In Nigeria presently, you have to join a political party and register right in your ward. Attend meetings and contribute your quota. If however God lays it in your heart to vie for any political post, then go ahead. Also, you need to be thoroughly abreast with the current affairs and knowledgeable of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, as well as that of the Political Party you belong to. And you must bear in mind that political posts are limited. The rest of the other positions are by appointments. There are also party executive positions which are also contested for from the ward, local government, state and national level. Your participation at the local level is a decisive factor. Politics is local.
Therefore to be relevant in the political space, there is need for visibility. This can be as a result of active participation, who you know, who you have worked with or what you have done in time past and lots more. It is profitable to add that the import of visibility within the political arena can never be undermined as politics is a game of numbers. It therefore follows that the more visible and popular one is in the political arena the better.
It is instructive to note that in politics, challenges abound.
Challenges
Politics is extremely time consuming, energy sapping, risky and financially demanding. It involves and demands series of long and sleepless night meetings for planning, strategy, dialogue and many more. You cannot determine what you want to do and when you want to do it.
Lack of internal democracy and injustices that steers one on the face cannot be ruled out in the arena of politics. Most individuals within the same political parties are highly egocentric and self-seeking. In view of the above, it is not uncommon to find rivalry, chaos, intrigues, schemes and divide within most political struggle in our society. The resultant effect of this is that the worst of us are selected to represent the rest of us. As we can see today, the challenges of politics are innumerable, complex and convoluted.
Manipulation of the system and intolerable height of pride is another challenge bedeviling our political space. Some political office holders see themselves as demigods, thereby manipulating the system to favour them at the same time living the ‘larger than life style’, which is not in any way beneficial to our society.
The issue of money politics is another challenge which has eaten into the fabric of the system. A vast spectrum of the general populace think and hold the view that once you are in politics, you are a rogue or you have acquired money legally or illegally. Their belief is that money is being shared in politics or women in politics “follow men”. Sincerely, there is no limit to the obnoxious views which they hold about politics and politicians.
Grace for Overcoming the Challenges
Personally, my three anchor principles as I ventured into politics were and remain:
It must be God. Make sure you have God’s leading.
I will not sell any property to vie for elective post.
It is not a ‘do or die’ game.
It is worthy of note to state that service and humility work together. The mountain of governance and politics is to be taken by humility and spiritual authority. You must know who you are in God and stand by it. The very standard of God must be upheld.
Funding is another factor to consider before venturing into politics. Adequate preparation must be made as regards funding. Before venturing into politics, it is advisable to set aside some funds right from the onset and also to have persons of goodwill who can commit their resources to support your political aspiration.
Flowing from the above, the under listed are amongst the inexhaustible prerequisites, qualities/virtues that a Christian that wants to venture into politics must possess to excel in the political space:
An encounter with our Lord and Saviour Jesus;
Ability to lead in love;
Humility; as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus, Moses and other biblical examples;
Patience; in an immeasurable measure;
Wisdom/spirit of discernment; must be desired and coveted;
Courage/vocal/outspokenness; you cannot be timid and be in politics;
Understanding of the word justice in all its ramifications/pursuit to uphold same;
Ability to close ears to side talk and distractors;
Absolute focus etc;
I therefore conclude this discourse in the words of Plato. “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools”.
www.honoronyebuchukwu.ng
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.
The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.
According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.
She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.
The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.
Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.
In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.
The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.
Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).
Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.
When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.
The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.
The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.
These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.
Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.
Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.
Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.
Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria
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