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OPINION: The Elephant Must Beware Of The Red Carpet

Published

3 months ago

June 11, 2025

By Israel Adebiyi

Once upon a time in the thickest part of the forest, a great meeting of animals was convened. The air was tense, filled with murmurs of resentment and fear. They had grown weary of the Elephant’s dominance — his size, his gait, his booming voice, and the way his presence silenced even the most ferocious of beasts. The Lion had long been dethroned, the Leopard stripped of pride, and even the cunning Hyena bowed to the Elephant’s imposing might.

At this council, it was the tortoise — slow, sly, and always underestimated — who stood up. With eyes full of schemes and a voice seasoned in deceit, he proposed a plan that would end the Elephant’s reign for good. “Let us honour him,” he said, “let us give him a grand throne to rule all animals. Let us throw a feast, dance in his name, and crown him king of the jungle.”

The animals, tired of their own irrelevance, agreed. A giant pit was dug at the centre of the forest, wide and deep. It was covered with palm fronds and animal skins, carefully layered and painted red — a royal carpet fit for a king. The tortoise led the way in song and celebration, guiding the unsuspecting Elephant to his doom.

Adorned in beads and royal robes, flanked by flutes and drums, the Elephant danced. Each step echoed pride. Each sway of his trunk was joy. And then — with a mighty crash — he fell. Into the pit. Into betrayal. The animals roared with laughter. The tortoise bowed.

This tale — told in Yoruba homes under moonlit skies — was never just for children. It was a lesson. A warning. And perhaps, a mirror for today’s political theatre.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Elephant of the Nigerian political forest, now finds himself at the centre of a curious dance. From governors to senators, former foes to aggrieved party men, there is a sudden procession — one not entirely unfamiliar. They sing his praises, adorn him with words of loyalty, and march in celebratory rhythm around the corridors of Aso Rock. But history, like folklore, carries memory.

From PDP to Labour, NNPP to APGA, there’s been an unsettling alignment towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) — the president’s power base. Men who once labeled him unfit are now eager visitors. Leaders who swore never to align with his politics now post his photos with glowing captions. In their eyes, it seems, 2027 is closer than it appears.

But the president must beware. For while there is strength in numbers, Nigerian politics has never been about the crowd — it is about the quality of the company. The road to the pit is always paved with song, loyalty, and red carpets. The very men dancing today may be the ones who dig tomorrow’s betrayal.

The political elite in Nigeria are not bound by ideology or people’s needs. They are often driven by proximity to power and preservation of influence. Their movements from party to party are less about national interest and more about personal survival. To be surrounded by them is not strength — it is vulnerability.

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President Tinubu, rightly celebrated for his strategic acumen, must not forget that the most dangerous players are those who clap the loudest. His court is swelling, but so is the deception that could come with it. This is not paranoia. This is Nigeria — where betrayal is part of the game.

The history of our democracy is littered with “friendly foes” — men who sang songs of praise only to write memos of mutiny. From the days of Obasanjo to Jonathan and Buhari, sycophancy has often been the most deceptive form of opposition.

It is one thing to be a master chess player. It is another to recognize when your bishops and knights are actually playing for the other side.

The caution here is not to isolate the president, but to remind him — and indeed Nigerians — that sustainable governance cannot be built on praise alone. The same governors defecting now had opportunities to build their states, yet left schools in decay, hospitals in ruins, and roads as death traps. Their loyalty to the people was questionable then; their sudden loyalty to the president should be doubly questioned now.

Yes, there is room for reconciliation. Yes, we must build inclusive politics. But inclusiveness must never come at the cost of discernment. The president must separate the genuine from the opportunist, the builder from the bandwagoner, and above all, the ally from the actor.

Nigeria deserves governance rooted in truth — not a palace of mirrors where everyone smiles while sharpening their knives.

So, as the drums get louder and the parade swells, the Elephant must walk carefully. The tortoise still plots. The pit still waits. And the red carpet — as always — hides more than just dust.

News

Textile, Garment And Tailoring Workers Assault Journalists In Edo

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Editor

Some members of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Edo State branch,
on Tuesday, assaulted journalists who were invited to their secretariat to cover their meeting.

Deputy General Secretary of the NUTGTWN, Comrade Emeka Nkwoala, invited the journalists to the secretariat of the body to get the outcome of a meeting he was directed to hold with them following the resignation of the branch chairman, Mike Ochei from the Caretaker Committee, and the suspension leadership of the union in Edo State over his resignation.

The Caretaker Committee was set up by the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the crisis and conduct election into the state leadership of the Congress.

Ochei, while resiging was quoted to have said that he was coerced into the membership of the caretaker committee, hence his resignation.

Trouble, however, started, when, after the journalists introduced themselves inside the hall, and as Nkwoala about to talk, some of the members of the body started shouting ‘we don’t need press,’ it is an internal affair, they must leave,’ which was followed by some of the union members physically assaulting the journalists. One of the members poked his hands into the eyes of one of the reporters, while they used derogatory words on them.

Addressing journalists after the uproar that followed the meeting, Nkwoala said Ochei was contacted and informed before he was nominated to serve in the NLC committee, stressing that it was, therefore, wrong for him to have claimed that he was coerced into the committee.

He, thereafter, apologised to journalists who were harassed by some members of the union.

Nkwoala said: “I want to apologise on behalf of our union, we are a matured union, we hold the press in high esteem and we relate very well with the press. From the inception of our union, our past leaders didn’t joke with the press. Is it Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Issa Aremu or the current General Secretary Comrade Ali Baba? We don’t joke with the press. We apologise for the embarrassment that our members caused you. We are not known for such.

“The state of our union right now in Edo State is that we have suspended the Mike Ochei led state exco. They are on suspension till further notice. That was the resolution we reached with the various chairmen of the zones in Benin City today, it was also the resolution of our National Administrative Council (NAC) of our Union via our zoom meeting yesterday (Monday). So they cannot represent the NUTGTWN anywhere in whatever capacity.”

On the way forward for the crisis in Edo NLC, he said: “Our allegiance is to the national leadership of the NLC ably led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and the Professor Monday Igbafen led caretaker committee. We believe that the leadership of the NLC has machinery in place to deal with some of these issues, for us we are part and parcel of the NLC and we will continue to pay our allegiance with the leadership of congress led by Comrade Ajaero.”

News

Edo Deputy Gov Tasks Lab Scientists On Research, Vaccine Production

Published

5 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Tuesday, urged the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), to go into deep research, and channelled scientific findings to boost public health.

Idahosa also urged the scientists to set up a vaccine manufacturing company in Edo State.

The deputy governor spoke when he played host to the state chapter of AMLSN, saying “as we speak, we still do not have a vaccine manufacturing company or industry in the whole of Nigeria. That, to me, is worrisome.”

Idahosa, who hosted the scientists on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, added: ” This is the heartbeat of the nation. I think we should roll up our sleeves and do what other states in this country have not done before. Let Edo be the beginner.”

He appreciated the laboratory scientists on the courtesy visit, just as he commended them for their contributions and medical interventions, which he said had given a boost to the public health sector delivery system in the state.

Making reference to the campaign manifesto and five point SHINE Agenda of Okpebholo, Idahosa affirmed that, “after security, health is number two. We are laying so much emphasis on health. Edo State is going to be happy with what we are going to do with the health sector.”

Idahosa assured the scientists that he was going to work closely with “the think tanks in the health sector based on raised areas of needs,” as “government would look at the best way to proffer solution to some of these challenges.”

State Chairman of the AMLSN, Dr. Ekhaguere Ehigie who earlier congratulated the Edo State Government for victories at the polls and in court, highlighted issues that plagued laboratory practice in Nigeria.

He advocated the setting up of modern molecular laboratories and use of Nano technology to boost disease diagnosis, accurate laboratory results and monitoring/surveillance of public health.

News

10 Things Candidates Should Know About Customs Recruitment CBT Exams

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service has issued detailed guidelines to shortlisted candidates ahead of its computer-based test for the ongoing recruitment exercise.

This was contained in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday.

The service emphasised that the CBT would be strictly monitored and advised candidates to take note of all instructions to avoid disqualification.

According to the NCS, here are 10 key things applicants must know

1. Test will be online

The service explained that the CBT would be conducted virtually, allowing candidates to write the exam from any location as long as there is reliable internet access. It added that those without personal devices could make use of internet-enabled computer centres.

2. Mobile phones not allowed

Applicants were warned against attempting to use mobile phones for the exam, as the platform does not support such devices. Only laptops and desktops that have webcam capability and allow full-screen display will be accepted.

3. Facial verification required

The NCS stated that a mandatory facial recognition process would be carried out during login. Candidates were urged to prepare accordingly, as their faces must match the details already provided during registration.

4. Avoid untidy appearance

The mail advised applicants to ensure their facial presentation is clear and uncluttered, stressing that “clumsy facial looks” might hinder the smooth operation of the verification system.

5. Sensitive to noise and movement

The CBT application is programmed to detect unusual behaviour. Candidates were cautioned to sit still and maintain focus throughout the test. The system, it warned, could log out those who make excessive body movements or create noise.

6. No distractions allowed

Beyond movements, the service also warned against writing the exam in noisy environments. It explained that whispering or background disturbances may be picked up by the system and interpreted as malpractice.

7. One window at a time

Applicants must remain on a single screen throughout the exam. Switching from one window to another, even briefly, could be flagged by the application as an attempt to cheat.

8. Pre-test before main exam

To familiarise candidates with the system, the service said there would be a compulsory practice session two days before the actual test. This, it added, would enable applicants to understand how the application works and reduce errors on the exam day.

9. Two links for candidates

The NCS explained that applicants would receive two separate links: one to access the pre-test and another for the main CBT on a different date. It urged candidates to use the correct link on the assigned day.

10. Extra test for Superintendent cadre

The mail noted that those who applied for the Superintendent cadre (Level 8) would undertake an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment. However, this requirement does not apply to candidates seeking positions in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

The service said that applicants who scale through all stages would be invited for a final screening.

According to The PUNCH, 286,697 candidates were shortlisted for the CBT stage, with the NCS directing all applicants to validate their email addresses as part of the process.