This And That!!

This and That: Signs of the Times in Nigeria

There is just a lot happening in Nigeria today. In this episode of This and That, I want to explore some of the events unfolding across the country that are eerily indicative of election season.

Benue Killings: A Crisis in Numbers

First, the Benue killings. Why the sudden uproar? This same pattern of violence has occurred repeatedly across the nation, especially in the Eastern region, yet the national outrage remains selective.

Between June 14 and 15, 2025, over one hundred people were killed in Yelewata, Benue State. Within days, the death toll climbed to approximately 150, according to Associated Press and Amnesty International. Earlier this year, forty-two more people were killed in Kwande LGA. This brings the toll to 284 deaths in three months in one state.

Nationwide, farmer-herder violence claimed over 2,300 lives between 2020 and 2024. Still, we rarely react until a high-profile figure abroad, like the Pope, acknowledges our pain. Only then do we act, realizing our leaders might be unaware or indifferent.

Meanwhile, our elected officials remain silent. No statements. No outrage. Nothing. And we citizens have become numb. We pray and hope while walking through blood-stained streets. Until we value our own lives and demand accountability, this cycle will never break.

Oshiomhole vs. Air Peace: The Arrogance of Entitlement

The recent altercation between Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace is more than a spat, it is a masterclass in VIP arrogance.

The Senator allegedly expected a commercial flight to delay takeoff for two hundred Nigerians because he was late. The sheer audacity!

This was not a private jet. This was a regular, scheduled flight. Yet the Senator believed time should bend to his presence. It is reminiscent of a 2021 incident where a Northern Emir lashed out after missing his flight, again demanding special treatment.

This elitist mindset is entrenched in Nigerian leadership. Power is often mistaken for privilege, not responsibility.

Under Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Part 19), airlines are mandated to operate fairly and prioritize safety and schedule integrity, regardless of a passenger's status. Air Peace did the right thing. No one is above protocol.

That said, Air Peace must also examine its internal practices. The growing trend of airport staff reselling confirmed seats is troubling. Many travelers have been denied boarding despite holding valid tickets, only to be asked for bribes to fly later. I have experienced this myself, arriving 90 minutes before departure, only to be told my seat was gone and being solicited for a “processing fee.”

So, while the Senator's behavior was inexcusable, Air Peace is not without fault either.

Party Defections: A Democratic Loophole

Another issue rearing its head is the shameless culture of party defection. An elected official winning under one party should not be allowed to cross over and retain the seat. It is an insult to democracy and the voters who supported that party.

This has created a climate where the ruling party can manipulate the judiciary and protect individuals under criminal investigation, so long as they switch sides. The people lose twice: once at the polls and again in the courtroom.

Ticketing and Fines: Reform Needed

I recently read that the FRSC wants all fines paid through banks. That may sound efficient, but in Nigeria, it is just another way to open the door to abuse. With little oversight, these funds are vulnerable to collusion between agency staff and bank insiders.

Why not follow the best practices? In the U.S., officers issue tickets, and fines are paid to the courts. This builds transparency and reduces corruption.

We, on the other hand, prefer convoluted systems, designed to confuse and enable pilfering. Simple reforms would help, but in our system, simplicity is often deliberately avoided.

Anambra State on My Mind: Erosion and Election Drama

Anambra State just allocated ₦9.7 billion to address erosion. Commendable, but why now? Why in the peak of rainy season when such projects are least effective?

This crisis has been festering for years. Community groups even have self-funded erosion control projects. Yet the state waits until now, on the eve of elections, to act. A classic political stunt.

Anambra has over seven months of dry weather annually ideal for erosion control. But our leaders prefer to wait until the floods start before pretending to care. Soon, our roads will vanish, homes will wash away, and we will once again chant “God will help us.”

Let us stop being fooled. Open your eyes.

A Word to Anambra Citizens and Labour Party Supporters

If you support the Labour Party, look around. The only state currently enjoying real peace and visible progress is Abia. And yes, the Labour Party governs it.

This is not a coincidence. It is governance with vision and humility. A trait that is lacking within our political class.

We must replicate that success in Anambra this November. It is time to vote smartly. Let us rescue our state, not with complaints, but with action. With our votes.

This is not just a rant. It is a call to wake up. Nigeria is on the brink, and only we can save her.

Charles Odimgbe (Nairandkobo) writes from Savannah GA.