One of the tenets of a democratic society is the assurance of freedom of speech and expression for its citizens. This includes the right to speak and criticise to ensure that society does not derail in upholding its values. The test of democracy is not at the point of comfortable tolerance of these rights but in allowing everyone to, even at the greatest inconvenience, manifest the utmost freedom granted to them by law and nature.

Criticism is an innate attitude. Humans criticise others and themselves, either when they achieve something or when they disagree with an act. It is not for us to decide but for us to tolerate. But would one be allowed to act and enjoy those rights perpetually without any form of constraint? When does a right become a burden or an infringement on the same or other rights enjoyed by others? Could the concept of a free person truly mean freedom in all ramifications? Would this not put others in bondage, too? While these rights abound, they are qualified by the right of others to protect their dignity, reputation, and the hard work they have built over decades.

I see the brawl between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi as the clash of these two rights–the former defending dignity and reputation and the latter exercising the freedom of speech and criticism. Farotimi has built a reputation as a respected activist, author, and social commentator, even more so than as a lawyer. His views on equity, justice, and the actual enjoyment of human rights have recently topped the voices of freedom in the country. He has waged war against corruption and inequalities, often dragging inefficient and corrupt politicians for public evaluation. As an activist, Farotimi has championed causes aimed at encouraging citizens to believe in a promising future for the country, as he often calls for the dismantling of the very foundations on which contemporary Nigeria is built. However, one thing is fundamental about Farotimi: he does not hold back or fear–he speaks out, regardless of who is affected.

Babalola is a famous Nigerian who represents the echelon of success in many endeavours. He has climbed up the professional and social ladder to the point that achieving half of his accomplishments would be enough to say an individual has led a good life and to write such a person’s name in history. Babalola is a foremost educationalist, legal practitioner, and philanthropist,among other worthy achievements. Having built a reputation over 70 years of active service, business, and engagements, he is one of those whom we could conclusively say has a name to protect and would go to great lengths to do so.

It is within Farotimi’s right to make accusations based on facts he knows and can prove. The hallmark of freedom guarantees that he is afforded the right to express himself if his claims are based on verifiable facts. Farotimi makes some accusations in his book, and I am convinced that he is not a man who would make unfounded propositions against someone of Babalola’s status, so I expect him to prove his claims. Likewise, Babalola has the right to preserve and defend his rights and reputation. I am convinced that many of those who have condemned his actions would have gone far and beyond to protect their accomplishments, just as he has allegedly done.

Well, this is not a piece to decide who is right or who is overreacting. While clashes often arise from the exercise of these rights, as is common in many cases, societal institutions like the Nigerian Police are charged with the duty of ensuring orderliness. It is the legal and professional duty of the Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agents to ensure everyone’s equal standing and fair hearing in the prosecution of matters, with the goal of ensuring that justice is served. The aim of the law is not to persecute but to prosecute offenders, yet the Farotimi saga suggests that the Police are standing in the ease of the former rather than the latter. I mean, it has been reported that the Nigerian Police, with remarkable agility, tracked Farotimi from Ekiti State to Lagos to effect his arrest.

One of the common complaints and excuses the Nigerian Police often give victims of crimes and alleged crimes is that the Force lacks the facilities and means to effect arrests and investigate troubling situations. They claim a lack of vehicles or even money to fuel them. These excuses have allowed countless dangerous criminals to escape justice. What about the criminal herdsmen who disturb people’s farms and livelihoods yet remain at large? What about the hardened criminals who do not look one in the face twice before ending it all? The security challenges on highways and other problems militating against the peace of the nation? Is it that the Police now feel the headache more than the owner of the head, or is their commitment to the protection of a stateman suddenlybecoming a matter of national interest?

The Police are charged with the duty of maintaining law and order while protecting the interests of the citizens. However, theiractions in this case seem to align with an agenda to suppress freedom of expression, a perennial complaint of the citizens. With this duty to maintain order comes the responsibility to investigate without bias to give both the victim and the defendant equal playing grounds. Still, they have acted with such conviction of guilt and are ready to take Farotimi to the slaughter.

The Nigerian Police’s reaction only reinforces the people’s fear of the Force being used to pursue personal interests. What immediate benefit would the urgent and aggressive prosecution of Farotimi bring, compared to the already many pressing issues the Police are faced with? It only allows the citizens to suspect foul play. Do not get me wrong: my position is not that Farotimi should not be tried for any suspicion of criminal infractions, but he should be prosecuted, not persecuted in the way the Nigerian Police have handled the matter.

Remanding Farotimi is an unnecessary and apparent misuse of state power, seemingly aimed at punishing a “child” for insulting an elder. The charges against him do not warrant that the accused be incarcerated while an investigation is done. The Nigerian Police have granted administrative bail to people who have committed more serious crimes. Farotimi is a well-known public figure with an office, family, and other responsibilities attributable to him, which should guarantee his responsiveness.

It is now clear that when there is enough motivation and interest in a case, the Police will act accordingly and within the required time. This highlights the need for greater accountability and reform within the Nigerian Police. The Nigerian Police must evolve beyond being mere instruments in the hands of the powerful. They must prosecute when the state is offended, not to persecute when private interests are affected. Farotimi has been taught an unnecessary lesson, but the joke is still being broadcast to the Nigerian Police!

In every thriving democracy, the opposition plays a vital role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and good governance. One of the most effective mechanisms through which an opposition party fulfills this responsibility is the formation of a shadow cabinet. A shadow cabinet is not a parallel government, nor does it usurp the constitutional powers of the ruling administration. Rather, it is a legitimate and strategic structure that enables an opposition party to scrutinize, checkmate, and criticize the actions, policies, and programs of the government in power. The aim is to protect the public interest and prevent abuse of power or erosion of democratic norms.

Regrettably, the proposed formation of a shadow cabinet by the Abia State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been met with hostility by the state governor, Alex Otti, of the Labour Party (LP) or Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Shockingly, Otti has declared the move “treasonable,” a claim that is both undemocratic and unprecedented. This raises a fundamental question: Why is Otti afraid of the Abia PDP’s shadow cabinet?

A shadow cabinet, as practiced in advanced democracies, is a group of senior opposition figures assigned to monitor specific ministries or sectors. Their responsibility is to hold the government accountable, challenge policies that do not serve the public interest, and propose alternative solutions where necessary. By so doing, the shadow cabinet ensures that governance remains focused on the people’s needs and that those in power do not abuse their mandate.

Far from being a parallel government, a shadow cabinet serves as a constructive watchdog that strengthens democratic institutions and practices. It represents the voice of the people who did not vote for the ruling party, providing balance and diversity of thought in the political system.

The dangerous precedent in Abia today is Otti’s declaration of the shadow cabinet as “treasonable.” This is not only a distortion of democratic principles but also a dangerous affront to the constitutional rights of the opposition. Even more troubling are reports of intimidation, harassment, and arrests of PDP leaders in the state.

Otti was recently quoted in the media as saying: “What they have set up is, in essence, a government in exile, and since it is not recognized by law, it is treasonable. We are a serious-minded government, guided by the law. If a faction of the PDP sets up a government in exile, we will treat them as such. Let the law take its course. People must understand that politics is not synonymous with foolishness.”

In what appears to be a fulfillment of this threat, the Abia State Police Command has invited the state chairman of the PDP, Abraham Ama, along with other key members of the party, for questioning. Credible sources suggest that this action was taken on the orders of Otti.

Even more alarming is the arrest and detention of Henry Chilaka, a prominent PDP leader, simply because his name was included in the proposed shadow cabinet. These actions not only undermine the constitutional role of the opposition but also threaten the democratic fabric of Abia State.

This situation demands urgent attention from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the international community, and global democratic institutions. The suppression of opposition voices in Abia State is a direct assault on the principles of democracy and good governance.

The Inspector General of Police must investigate the actions of the Nigeria Police in Abia State, who appear to be acting as instruments of political repression rather than protectors of citizens’ rights.

Otti’s hostility toward the opposition’s shadow cabinet is not only undemocratic but also raises serious questions about his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Why would a government confident in its policies and performance view constructive criticism as a threat? What does Governor Otti have to hide that he would label a legitimate opposition practice as treasonable?

The Abia PDP, as the leading opposition party in the state, has both the constitutional right and moral obligation to checkmate the government in power. No amount of intimidation, arrests, or harassment can deter the party from fulfilling this role. The shadow cabinet initiative is not an act of provocation or rebellion; it is a democratic tool designed to ensure that the people’s mandate is not abused.

Otti’s actions betray a fear of accountability and an intolerance for dissent. These are hallmarks of authoritarianism, not democracy. Rather than stifling opposition voices, the governor should welcome the scrutiny of his administration as an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to good governance.

The intimidation of opposition figures in Abia State is an affront to democracy and a violation of constitutional rights. Otti must understand that democracy thrives on debate, dissent, and accountability. Suppressing the opposition will not strengthen his administration; it will only erode public trust and undermine the state’s democratic progress.

So, we ask again: Why is Otti afraid of the Abia PDP’s shadow cabinet? Is it fear of exposure or a reluctance to face the checks and balances that come with democracy? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: no amount of intimidation will silence the opposition in Abia State. Democracy must prevail.

Fillico Jewelry Water is a Japanese company known for selling one of the most expensive bottled waters in the world, with exclusive limited editions selling for up to $10,000 per bottle.

Water is one of the most basic human needs, so marketing and selling it as an ultra-luxury product is a pretty big challenge, even among the snobbiest of snobs, but a Japanese company proved it can be done successfully.

Launched in 2005, Fillico Water set out to create a complete luxury experience that would make people reach for their wallets and pay obscene amounts of money to have it. Using some of the purest mineral water in Japan wasn’t nearly enough, so they put a lot of work into the design of the packaging, which was marketed as a work of art in itself. Somehow, they made it work, and today Fillico Jewelry Water is one of the most sought-after ultra-luxury bottled water brands in the world, with prices surpassing $1,000 per litre and even several thousand for limited edition offerings.

Fillico water comes from the Nunobiki Spring nestled deep in Kobe’s Rokkou National Park, far away from any industrial or agricultural development. Known for its purity and high mineral content, this spring water is naturally filtered through volcanic rock, which allegedly gives it a very fresh taste. Fillico claims to bottle the water using minimal processing techniques in order to preserve its natural character.

But the purity of Fillico Jewelry Water isn’t enough to justify its ridiculously high price. And that’s where the packaging comes into play. Each Fillico water bottle is a handcrafted work of art adorned with Swarovski crystals, embellished with gold, and decorated with royal symbols to truly communicate to the world that it is far from your regular bottled water. A Fillico Jewelry Water bottle isn’t just a container, it’s a status symbol.

Because of how difficult water is to market as a luxury product, Fillico faced a lot of skepticism in the beginning, but its founders were convinced that there was a place in the market for ultra-luxury water, and they had a strategy to make their vision a reality. A year after the company was founded, Christian Dior introduced Fillico Luxury Water to its VIP clients, and in 2008, the company was an official sponsor of the Cannes Film Festival. Soon, the brand became a favorite of royal houses all over the world, and its popularity continued to grow among the rich and powerful.

Because every Fillico water bottle is crafted by hand – and to maintain the illusion of exclusivity – production is limited to only 5,000 bottles per month, which helps keep prices up. Today, a 2nd generation bottle of Fillico Jewelry Water sells for 999 euros (over $1,000), but limited edition bottles can sell for much more.

Fillico Jewelry Water doesn’t technically sell the most expensive water bottles in the world, as companies have created considerably more expensive one-off containers, like a $100,000 water bottle, but as far as a brand that specializes in selling luxury water, you’ll have a hard time finding more expensive alternatives.

Oddity Central

All 36 Nigerian states have now agreed to the creation of state police, according to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna, who announced this after the 146th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The decision comes amid escalating security challenges across Nigeria, including insurgency, banditry, and separatist violence in various regions. Governor Sani highlighted the critical need for state police, noting that current national security agencies lack sufficient personnel to cover the entire country.

"Knowing fully well that we have a lot of ungoverned space in Nigeria, and also that we have a deficit in terms of number of boots on ground, the establishment of state police is the way forward toward addressing the problem of insecurity in our country," Sani told journalists.

The country currently faces multiple security threats:

- North-east: Ongoing Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency

- North-central: Farmer-herder conflicts and terrorist activities

- North-west: Banditry and potential terrorist collaborations

- South-east and South-south: Armed separatist attacks

Despite widespread support, the proposal is not without controversy. Critics argue that state police could potentially be misused by governors to suppress political opponents.

The NEC has decided to postpone final discussions until its January 2025 meeting, with plans for further stakeholder engagement. If ultimately approved, the proposal would require National Assembly legislation to implement.

The decision represents a significant step towards decentralizing security management, with proponents arguing that localized policing could more effectively address region-specific security challenges.

The next NEC meeting will review a comprehensive report from the secretariat and continue deliberations on the state police proposal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A recent national health facility survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted significant challenges in Nigeria's primary healthcare system, with only 34 percent of essential drugs available in primary health facilities (PHFs).

The comprehensive 2023 report, released on Wednesday, uncovered multiple critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. Key findings include:

Drug and Medical Equipment Availability:

- Only 34.3% of essential drugs were available in primary health facilities

- 50.6% of essential drugs were available in secondary health facilities

- Just 29.9% of public primary facilities have functional basic medical equipment

- Regional disparities exist, with the North-West recording the lowest equipment availability at 20.9% and the South-West the highest at 48.8%

Healthcare Provider Training and Knowledge:

- Merely 39.4% of primary health facility providers received integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) training

- Health providers demonstrated varying levels of disease management knowledge:

  - Malaria: 80.3% adequate knowledge

  - Diarrhoea: 51.7% adequate knowledge

  - Pneumonia: 41.0% adequate knowledge

Family Planning Services:

- Limited availability of family planning resources:

  - 18.5% of facilities have Family Planning pills

  - 19.5% have injectable contraceptives

  - 20.5% provide male condoms

  - 17.8% offer implants/IUDs

- The South-East zone reported the highest availability of family planning consumables

Financial Management Challenges:

- Only 34.5% of health facilities maintained expenditure records

- 25.8% had up-to-date financial records

- 30.6% of public health facilities displayed service fees visibly

- Just 21.1% of facilities had records reconciling with actual cash on hand

The survey underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure, provider training, and financial management in Nigeria's public health system.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has reported a significant growth in Nigeria's pension fund assets, reaching N21.92 trillion as of October 2024, with 10.53 million registered contributors, PenCom Director General Omolola Oloworaran announced on Thursday.

Key Highlights:

- Pension fund assets increased by N1.113 trillion from July's N20.79 trillion

- Total registered contributors reached 10.53 million

- Ongoing efforts to protect fund value amid economic challenges

Economic Challenges and Strategic Responses:

Oloworaran acknowledged the complex economic landscape, including high inflation, naira devaluation, and monetary policy impacts that have eroded the real value of pension funds. In response, PenCom has initiated several strategic measures:

Investment Strategy:

- Comprehensive review of Investment Regulations

- Diversification into:

  - Inflation-protected instruments

  - Alternative assets

  - Foreign currency-denominated investments

Technological and Operational Innovations:

1. Micro Pension Plan

- Leveraging technology to encourage informal sector participation

- Aims to make retirement savings more accessible to everyday Nigerians

2. Digital Transformation Initiatives:

- Launched e-Application Portal for Pension Clearance Certificates (PCC)

- Issued 38,528 PCCs in 2024

- Implemented Pension Industry Shared Service Initiative to digitize contributions and remittances

Retirement Benefits and Retiree Support:

- Released N44 billion to settle pension rights for retirees from March to September 2023

- Working with the Federal Government to establish sustainable benefit payment mechanisms

Recent Enhancements:

- Introduced revised programmed withdrawal template

- Simplified access to voluntary contributions

- Adjusted en-bloc payment thresholds in line with new minimum wage

"Our goal is to safeguard contributors' savings and ensure resilience against future economic volatility," Oloworaran emphasized, highlighting PenCom's commitment to inclusive growth and financial security.

UN General Assembly overwhelmingly demands immediate Gaza ceasefire

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of all hostages.

The ceasefire demand in the resolution - adopted with 158 votes in favor in the 193-member assembly - was expressed in more urgent language than one urging an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza that the body "called for" in October 2023 then "demanded" in December 2023.

General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the ceasefire resolution, while 13 countries abstained.

The world body also threw its support behind the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, adopting a second resolution with 159 votes in favor to deplore a new Israeli law that will ban UNRWA's operations in Israel from late January.

It demanded that Israel respect UNRWA's mandate and "enable its operations to proceed without impediment or restriction." The U.S., Israel and seven other countries voted no, while 11 countries abstained.

"The messages we send to the world through these resolutions matter. And both of these resolutions have significant problems," Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the assembly.

"One rewards Hamas and downplays the need to release the hostages, and the other denigrates Israel without providing a path forward to increasing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians," he said.

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon last week accused the U.N. of having "an obsession with vilifying Israel," while Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour described Gaza as the "open, painful wound for the human family."

'HUNGER, DESPAIR, DEATH'

Israel says UNRWA staff took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. The U.N. has said nine UNRWA staffmay have been involved and had been fired. A Hamas commander in Lebanon - killed by Israel - was also found to have had an UNRWA job.

"By voting for these resolutions, you are not voting to protect humanitarian values, but to protect an organization that has become a haven for terror," Danon told the assembly on Wednesday before the vote.

UNRWA was established by the General Assembly in 1949 following the war surrounding the founding of Israel. The U.N. has repeatedly said there is no alternative to UNRWA, which provides aid, health and education to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

"Gaza doesn't exist anymore. It is destroyed. Palestinians are facing hunger, despair and death," Slovenia's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told the assembly. "There is no reason for this war to continue. We need a ceasefire now. We need to bring hostages home now."

The war in the Palestinian enclave began after Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7, 2023, stormed into Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages back to Hamas-run Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israel's military has leveled swathes of Gaza, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 44,800 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, who do not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Trump criticizes Ukraine's use of US missiles for attacks deep into Russia

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump criticized Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied missiles for attacks deep into Russian territory in a Time magazine interview published on Thursday, comments that suggest he could alter U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

"It's crazy what's taking place. It's crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We're just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done," Trump said in an interview to mark his being named Time's Person of the Year.

President Joe Biden last month lifted the U.S. ban on Ukraine using U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles for strikes deep inside Russia, his latest attempt to boost Kyiv in its battle to repel a Russian invasion force from his country.

The decision came after pleas from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The White House cited Russia's deployment of 15,000 North Korean troops along the battlefront as the main reason why Biden changed his mind.

Trump has said he would like to bring a quick end to the nearly three-year-old war but has been cagey on the details. He told Time he had a "very good plan" to help but that if he reveals it now "it becomes almost a worthless plan."

Pressed on whether he would abandon Ukraine, Trump said: "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon."

He said the entry of North Korean troops into the picture was a "very complicating factor."

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, met last weekend with Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Trump's promise to end the conflict swiftly has raised concerns in Kyiv that it could be largely on Moscow's terms.

Sources told Reuters that Zelenskiy used the meeting to explain Ukraine's need for security guarantees in any negotiated end to the war with Russia. He has long sought NATO membership.

Trump told Time that the number of people dying in the conflict, especially in the last month, was "staggering."

"I'm talking on both sides. It’s really an advantage to both sides to get this thing done," he said.

Asked whether he would cut U.S. military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine if Kyiv did not agree to a peace deal, Trump said, "I think I have a very good plan to help, but when I start exposing that plan, it becomes almost a worthless plan."

The war is entering what some Russian and Western officials say could be its final and most dangerous phase as Moscow's forces advance at their fastest pace since the early weeks of the conflict.

Russia fired a hypersonic ballistic missile known as the Oreshnik at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Nov. 21. President Vladimir Putin cast the move as a response to Ukraine's first use of U.S. ATACMs ballistic missiles and British Storm Shadows to strike Russian territory with Western permission.

Washington says more deliveries of U.S. air defense exports to Ukraine are on the way to the country.

The United States last Saturday unveiled a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine.

Asked whether he had spoken to Putin since his election, Trump declined to answer, saying, "I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you. It’s just inappropriate."

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Trump wants EU to send troops to Ukraine – WSJ

US President-elect Donald Trump has proposed that EU members send peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire with Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Trump ran for the White House on the promise of negotiating a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but has been reluctant to reveal any specifics of his actual proposal since winning the election.

Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky last Saturday, Trump argued that “Europe”should play the main role in monitoring a ceasefire and that no US troops would be involved, the Journal reported, citing “officials briefed on the meeting.”

The Journal’s sources claimed that the proposal “started as quiet discussions between British and French officials about the possibility”before including Trump, Zelensky and other governments.

According to one source, Trump also pushed the EU to demand of China to pressure Russia to end the conflict, suggesting the use of tariffs as leverage.

Discussions are still at such an early stage, according to the Journal, that the questions of which countries would be involved, with how many troops, and any US role in supporting the mission remain unresolved.

The hypothetical peacekeeping or monitoring mission in Ukraine would not be under NATO command but would involve troops from member countries of the US-led bloc, according to the unnamed officials, who admitted this was something they were not sure Russia would accept.

It was likewise unclear whether Washington’s European allies would be able to spare the actual soldiers or have the political support at home for such a mission.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has invited the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland to meet with Zelensky in Brussels to discuss security guarantees for Kiev, two officials told the Journal.

According to unnamed aides, however, Trump is not “wedded” to any particular plan for ending the conflict and “hasn’t thought deeply about the issue” as he prepares the handover of power on January 20.

Russia has repeatedly said that Ukraine’s association with NATO would be a threat to its national security. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has described Ukraine’s membership in the bloc as “categorically unacceptable” to Moscow, citing it as one of the major causes of the current conflict.

Reuters/RT

The news from Ghana was not how John Dramani Mahama’s opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated Nana Akufo-Addo’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The news was how Akufo-Addo managed to survive a full second term. Towards the end of his first and for much of his second term in office, he governed with his head on the block, just waiting for the axe to fall.

His party’s loss in the December 7 presidential election was a defeat foretold. It was barely two years after Akufo-Addo assumed office in 2017 when doubts about his party’s viability began to surface. It shouldn’t have been so.

His predecessor, the John Atta-Mills/Dramani government, made such a mess. Apart from divisions within the NDC, it was further weakened by a series of serious corruption scandals, the most remarkable of which were the government’s involvement in the transfer of $11 million and £9 million paid by a party financier and a litany of failed promises.

Dramani’s loss to Akufo-Addo relieved the loser, who only managed to finish Atta-Mills’ term after the latter died in office.

Hero to zero

As I wrote in a 2022 article, Akufo-Addo was off to a flying start. From New York to Beijing and Paris, he became the new face of the African Renaissance, saying the right things wherever he went on the global stage and raising a $3 billion Eurobond for Ghana’s restructuring that overperformed its order book by $21 billion.

Despite his best efforts, Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War put Ghana in a tight spot. The country’s predicament was worsened by poor fiscal discipline, unstable commodity prices, and a capitulation to pressure from Labour to increase public sector wages to unsustainable levels.

Akufo-Addo’s party paid upfront for the country’s misery. Multiple protests rocked the streets of Accra and other major capitals, and voters couldn’t wait to bury the NPP with any remaining claims of good deeds at the polls.

Beyond elections

However, the election meant something more for the subregion than about angry and tired Ghanaian voters removing an incumbent government.

In the last four years, the subregion has been plagued by military coups reminiscent of a bygone era. Mali, Niger, Guinea and Burkina Faso have formed an arc of Delinquent States, with three of them sundering the decades-old Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by creating a parallel Alliance for Sahelian States in defiance of the regional powerhouses and even the AU.

Successful elections and transitions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana have offered a counter-narrative. It’s all the more heartening that the ruling party’s candidate in the election, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, did not wait for the official result before conceding defeat, reinforcing a trend started in 2015 by Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Job for powerhouses

The successful transition is good news for regional economic stability. Although the four break-away states constitute half of the ECOWAS area and only seven percent of economic activity within the zone, the economic sanctions imposed on them by the subregional group impacted swathes of the primarily poor populations across the region, where informal cross-border trade, mainly in food, make up about 30 percent of regional trade.

Stable transitions in Ghana and Nigeria, the region’s two economic powerhouses, would allow ECOWAS to reassess its options – a significant point in the agenda as the sub-regional group meets in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, this week.

Delinquent Four on the agenda

Should ECOWAS continue to engage the breakaway states in its efforts at faster regional integration, especially in light of the fragile relations between these states and France, in an era where Russia and China are lurking and the US is self-absorbed? Or has the time come for the group to chart a new course and accept a future without the four breakaway states?

That would not only be an economic decision. It also carries significance for subregional security. Burkina Faso and Mali are out of the ECOWAS multinational joint task force. Protracted or failed elections in Ghana would have further weakened the group’s crisis response mechanism at a time when Nigerian military authorities are grappling with new security threats from Lakurawa, an ISIS franchise.

It's unlikely that the new government in Accra, on the watch of Mahama, one of the mediators during the post-election dispute in The Gambia in 2016, would depart significantly from the leading role that Ghana has played in subregional peace support operations, which goes back to its role in ECOMOG in the 1990s.

Go to court!

At a more granular level, there are other reasons why Ghana’s election matters, especially in relations between Abuja and Accra. Already, the commentariat in Nigeria is holding up Ghana’s election as a model for the election management body in Nigeria. Apart from former President Jonathan’s pre-emptive concession of defeat nine years ago, Nigeria is perhaps the continent’s capital of disputed elections.

Of course, Nigeria’s election management body needs to raise its game. Fundamentally, however, the chaos reflects the winner-takes-all mentality among Nigeria’s political elite, which has increasingly seduced the courts to decide elections. Often, when Nigerian politicians taunt their opponent to “go to court” after an election, they are confident of a favourable outcome.

Ghanaian Jollof

Nigerians also envy Ghana’s rise as the new destination for big business, a prospect that could only have been enhanced by the smooth election. Despite Ghana's economic crisis, Nigeria has lost several fintech and manufacturing companies to its western neighbour in the last three years.

Guinness, for example, has moved its operational headquarters to Accra, while others, such as Afprint, President Industries and Aswani – all in the textile sector – are reportedly contemplating relocation. Because of Ghana’s stable and predictable political environment, tech giants, including Google, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, have not hidden their preference for it despite Nigeria’s significant market size.

Whether, apart from its business attraction, Ghanaian jollof would also best Nigeria’s jollof in the unending cuisine war between both countries in the next four years under Mahama remains to be seen.

Voters’ psyche

If there’s anything that the outcome of Ghana’s election teaches, even beyond the subregion, it is that voters don’t forgive politicians who leave them feeling worse off. You may have saved them from Covid-19, the fallouts of global conflicts elsewhere, or the headwinds afterwards. However, what weighs on their mind when they cast their ballot is whether they’re feeling better off today.

That was why Rishi Sunak lost to Keir Starmer in Britain, and Vice President Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in the US. It was also why Akufo-Addo survived his second term by the skin of his teeth but failed to handover the baton to his deputy in Ghana.

** Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It.

In the days since Luigi Mangione was charged with murder for gunning down a top health insurance executive, more than a thousand donations have poured into an online fundraiser for his legal defense, with messages supporting him and even celebrating the crime.

In New York, "Wanted" posters with the faces of CEOs have appeared on walls. Websites are selling Mangione merchandise, including hats with "CEO Hunter" printed across a bullseye. And some social media users have swooned over his smile and six-pack abs.

Mangione has been charged with murder for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, in a brazen shooting on Dec. 4 outside a Manhattan hotel before an industry conference, setting off a five-day manhunt for the masked assailant.

The crime he is accused of has been broadly condemned, but the Ivy League educated, photogenic 26-year-old has become an unsettling mixture of folk hero, celebrity, and online crush in certain circles. His support has only seemingly intensified since his arrest on Monday.

Most of the messages on the crowd-sourced fundraising site GiveSendGo reflect a deep frustration shared by many Americans over the U.S. healthcare system - where some treatments and reimbursements can be denied to patients depending on their insurance coverage - as well as broader anger over rising income inequality and soaring executive pay.

"Denying healthcare coverage to people is murder, but no one gets charged with that crime," one donor wrote, calling the killing a "justifiable homicide."

Several others simply wrote, "Deny, Defend, Depose" – the words reportedly written on the shell casings found at the murder scene and intended to invoke tactics some accuse insurers of using to avoid paying out claims.

More than $31,000 had been raised as of Wednesday on GiveSendGo alone.

Felipe Rodriguez, a former NYPD detective sergeant, expressed dismay at the reaction.

"They've made him a martyr for all the troubles people have had with their own insurance companies," said Rodriguez, now an adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. "I mean, who hasn't had run-ins with their insurance? But he's a stone-cold killer."

Mangione is being held in Pennsylvania on gun and forgery charges while prosecutors in New York seek his extradition. His lawyer said he plans to plead not guilty to the Pennsylvania charges.

FRUSTRATION AND ANGER

On Wednesday, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police have matched a gun found on Mangione with the shell casings recovered at the scene and his fingerprints with a water bottle and energy bar wrapper found nearby.

Other evidence includes handwritten documents found in his possession casting his alleged crime as a legitimate response to what he viewed as corporate greed, some media outlets have reported.

Mangione lashed out himself on Tuesday as he was led into a courthouse, shouting in part, "...completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!"

Americans pay more for health care than residents of any other country, and data shows spending on insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, pharmaceuticals and hospital services has all increased over the last five years.

Health insurers like UnitedHealth most often manage health benefits on behalf of employers and the government, which have a say in what services and drugs are covered.

Mangione suffered from chronic back pain that impacted his daily life, according to friends and social media posts, though it is unclear whether his personal health played a role in the shooting.

"It's hard to underestimate the anger and angst people have with their insurance companies," said David Shapiro, a former FBI agent and a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

Shapiro said he had never seen anything like the reaction to Mangione, but added: "It's not so farfetched given the mood of the country and the ease of cheering this anonymously on the Internet."

On TikTok, users shared videos and photos of Mangione's outburst with messages of praise, such as "this man is an absolute legend" and "class consciousness is rising."

Several sites were selling T-shirts bearing his face with messages such as "FREE LUIGI" and "In This House, Luigi Mangione Is A Hero, End of Story." Others sold hats with the phrase "Don't Deny My Coverage."

'DEEPLY DISTURBING'

Support was by no means universal, however.

Several commentators on social media noted Mangione's privileged background as a member of a prominent Baltimore, Maryland family, as compared to Thompson's working class upbringing in rural Iowa, and said the murder was an example of how anti-capitalist rhetoric can incite violence. Others described how their health insurance plans paid for life-saving treatment.

On Wednesday, UnitedHealth Group Inc CEO Andrew Witty sent employees a letter praising Thompson. "Brian was one of the good guys," he wrote. "I'm going to miss him. And I am incredibly proud to call him my friend."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned those valorizing Mangione on Monday, calling the response "deeply disturbing."

"In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint," he said.

At a panel at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on Wednesday, executives from Pfizer and Amazon said health care companies are taking a step back to better understand patients' experiences.

"Our health system needs to be better ... There's a lot of things that should cause a lot of outrage," Amazon Pharmacy Chief Medical Officer Vin Gupta said. "It's also true that (the killing) should not have happened. There cannot be this false moral equivalence in our discourse."

Reuters