As Nigeria Cheers, Chokes, and Churns — The Week That Was, The Week That Is
Jerry Adesewo
Last week, Nigeria oscillated—as it often does—between bursts of glory and bouts of embarrassment. In the same breath that the Super Falcons lifted our spirits, we watched as the political class and public institutions found new ways to confound us. As we step into this new week, it is worth reflecting on the issues that stirred the polity and the undercurrents shaping the national mood.
The Falcons Soar, as Institutions Stumble
The Super Falcons gave the country a rare gift in these hard times: joy. Their victory over Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier was not just a sporting triumph but a moment of national healing, however fleeting. In a country drowning in inflation, insecurity, and institutional decay, football has once again proven to be the opium of the masses, as the world watched the Super Falcon come back from two goals down to defeat the Moroccans 3:2, in what has been tagged: Mission X Accomplished.
READ ALSO: Super Falcons’ Comeback Victory: A Testament to Nigerian Grit and Greatness
Yet, even this euphoric moment was marred by what can only be described as an administrative own goal. Voice of Nigeria (VON), a state-owned broadcaster, bizarrely misreported the result, claiming Morocco had triumphed. Whether it was due to sloppiness, sabotage, or simply an inability to function in real-time, the episode reaffirms the urgent need for a complete overhaul of our public communication infrastructure. In an age of digital speed, misinformation from official quarters is not just embarrassing—it is dangerous.
Monday Okpebholo Gambit and the Politics of Threats
The week also saw the continuation of the curious drama as the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, issued a public threat to Mr. Peter Obi, declaring that he would “if he visits the state without clearing from, he cannot assure his security.” The language was incendiary, the timing curious, and the implications grave. Okpebholo’s careless charge has sparked up national conversation, with many raising concerns about the safety of Obi’s popularity among the youth and middle class.
What we’re witnessing is not just an internal spat but the early signs of the pre-2027 political bloodbath. Threats dressed as commentary, legal sabotage masked as reform, and a looming coalition circus are all part of the script. The Obi movement is being targeted—strategically, consistently—and the political establishment is not even hiding it anymore.
APC S(E)lected New Chairman
Last week’s seismic event in party politics saw the resignation of APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on June 27, 2025, swiftly followed by the ruling party’s National Executive Committee unanimously appointing Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on July 24, 2025, in a strategic bid to restore balance and unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Born August 8, 1968, in Plateau State, Prof. Yilwatda is a decorated engineer, academic, and technocrat with over 26 years in academia—including 12 years as ICT Director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi—and stints leading national electoral reforms as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue (2017–2021). A former APC governorship candidate (2023) and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, he brings international consultancy experience with the UN, World Bank, and UNICEF, and has pledged to unite aggrieved members, take “tough decisions,” and expand the party’s grassroots reach with credibility and reform at the core of his mandate.
Dangote Steps Down: A Businessman’s Exit in a Time of Economic Unrest
Perhaps the most understated yet deeply symbolic moment last week was the resignation of Aliko Dangote as Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc. His resignation marked a significant leadership transition in one of Africa’s largest conglomerates. His resignation signals a strategic shift to focus on the Dangote Refinery and other ventures, while incoming Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh is expected to build on Dangote’s legacy of industrial expansion, innovation, and record-breaking profitability.
The Week Ahead: Shadows and Silhouettes
This week, Nigerians will continue to navigate the dual reality of survival and spectacle. What’s next for the Super Falcons, in terms of coaching and preparations for their next engagements, will surely dominate headlines, but so too will the rising grumblings within both APC and PDP as the 2027 shadow campaign begins to take shape. Watch out for fresh alignments, subtle endorsements, and more “leaks” from political godfathers testing the waters.
The Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) must also brace for what is becoming a coordinated destabilization campaign. Peter Obi’s silence, once viewed as maturity, may now be a liability in a terrain where perception is currency and aggression wins headlines. While the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will be expected to come clean on his plans for 2027, considering his exit from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and his romance with the ADC.
And finally, the people: hungry, weary, but still inexplicably hopeful. Their resilience is Nigeria’s most reliable resource—and the most exploited.
We go again.
As Nigeria Cheers, Chokes, and Churns — The Week That Was, The Week That Is