Tag Archives: 2019
Laobis Obilonu – Towards 2019 Elections…
One of the debates that surround electoral practices in Nigeria is about the lack of young and vibrant youth in politics.
However, on May 31, 2018, the Not Too Young To Run bill passed. The bill lowers the age on almost all elective offices in the country. Now, in Nigeria, the age limit for running as a candidate for the House of Representatives has been reduced from 30 to 25; and Senate and Governorship from 35 to 30.
In this cartoon, there is a mass of young Nigerians carrying a signpost and placard that read: Democratic Rule and New Brigade respectively. There is an middle-aged man who seems to be confronting a group of four terrified individuals. The individuals seem to be past and present Nigerian presidents, the gatekeepers.
One of the most important features in the cartoon is the looks on the faces of the old individuals. They seem to be weary of the confrontational approach of young Nigerians to governance and inclusion. This cartoon is a reflection on what lies ahead.
Awosiyan Segun – Defections… EFCC
One of the reasons why people defect to a ruling political party is that they expect to be protected from economic and financial crime prosecution.
In this cartoon, two individuals are having a chat. The two individuals are each holding a broom, signaling that they are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party in power. One of the individuals asks if the other knows why he decided to defect to the APC. Answering his own question, he states that he defected for “the same reason that stops [his friend] from leaving” the APC: protection from prosecution.
On the other side of the cartoon is a banner with the logo of the EFCC (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) on it. As one would expect of shady individuals, the conversing individuals are not close to the logo. This is often the case in Nigeria. Politicians do not like the EFCC not to talk of the idea of moving close.
Awosiyan Segun – Defections: What’s in it for the Citizens…
As politicians defect from one political party to another in their race towards 2019, this cartoon asks what Nigerian citizens would gain from the choice of politicians to defect. Unsurprisingly, the interest of the masses and national interest are inconsequential. Politicians’ personal interest, according to Awosiyan Segun, is almost always the number one factor driving the choice to defect.
Awosiyan Segun – Easy to Defect from One Party to Another…
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that was once rejected by members of the Nigerian political elites seems to be the same party they are running to for refuge. In previous cartoons, we have talked about how members of the PDP defected in 2013 and form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It’s, however, funny that just after 5 years, some of those defectors are back again in PDP jostling for a good grip of the umbrella – logo of the PDP.
Overall, this cartoon is a commentary on politicians self-interest and how easy it is for politicians to defect to a different party.