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In a true democracy, political parties win the heart of the electorate through strategy, ideas, and superior programmes, not through deceit, lies, insults and hate speech. What I am observing in Niger State politics today is not campaign. It is envy. It is lack of education on what real politics is. Especially from the opposition. If you want to unseat a ruling party in 2027, you must tell the people what you will do better. What is your alternative blueprint for education, healthcare, roads, agriculture, power/renewable energy and security? How will you improve on what is on ground? Why resort to insults and blackmail against the ruling party and the Governor? That is not campaign. That is not political sense. And it will not win you the 2027 elections. Let us be honest: No one can say the present Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has done nothing in the last three years. From Minna to the 25 Local Governments, every local is benefiting from the New Niger agenda — roads, urban renewal, a...

Heart to Heart with Hajara – Series 8: “We Look Happy to Outsiders… But Something Is really Missing in Our Marriage.” “Hajiya, we look very fine when people see us. I hear this most often especially from women. “We don't fight.” “We are together.” “I still cook, and he eats.” “He still takes care of the family.” “I am still young, neat and beautiful, but he doesn't seem to desire me anymore.” “So, what is the problem?” But sometimes, when you listen a little deeper, you realise that something is surely missing. The couple is not fighting. They are still together. They are still doing their responsibilities. But somewhere along the way, they have become disconnected. They live in the same house, sleep in the same room and take care of the same children, but slowly, they begin to look more like strangers. The conversations become: “What are we eating?” “Have you picked up the children?” “Did you pay the bill?” “What time are you coming home?” “Please send me money.” Everything ...

  Heart to Heart with Hajara – Series 7: TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD HEALTHY MARRIAGES We Prepare So Much for the Wedding. But Are We Preparing People for Marriage? Have you ever noticed how much preparation goes into a wedding? Families start planning months ahead. There are clothes to sew, food to arrange, guests to invite, venues to decorate, photographs to take and so many other things to put in place. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with that. A wedding is a beautiful occasion. It is a day families look forward to and celebrate. But sometimes, I find myself asking: While we are preparing so much for the wedding, are we preparing the people for the marriage? Because the wedding is one day. Marriage is the life that comes after that day. And this conversation is not only for the bride and groom. It is for all of us. For the parents. For the older brothers and sisters. For the aunties and uncles. For the guardians. For the friends who may know the couple better than anyone else. ...

Heart to Heart with Hajara – Series 6: Together, We Can Build Healthy Marriages “I’m Just Managing.” Is That Really What Marriage Is All About These Days? It's like everybody is now managing in marriage because I hear people say this quite often: “Hajiya, I am just managing oh.” “I am only staying because of the children.” “At this point, I have accepted my fate.” “He is never going to change.” Or… “She is never going to change.” Both men and women are complaining. They are still married. They are still living together. In some cases, they are still doing what couples do behind closed doors. They are still intimate. While in some cases, they live like roommates. But deep down, they are tired. Very tired. They are no longer trying to make the marriage better. They are simply trying to survive it. Some even go into open marriages where each party does as they wish. But then I ask again: Is that what a healthy marriage is supposed to be? Is this what people actually signed up for? Yes...

Heart to Heart with Hajara – Series 5: Together, We Can Build Healthy Marriages Are You Still Married, or Are You Just Living Together? Have you ever looked at your marriage and quietly asked yourself: “When did we become like this?” Or: “How did things get to this?” Because you live in the same house. You sleep in the same room. You eat together, take care of the children, pay bills and attend family functions together. But somehow, something is missing. Because you don't really talk anymore. And when you do talk, it is mostly about the children, money, food, work or just something that needs to be done. You no longer ask, “How was your day?” You no longer tell each other what is going on in your lives. You may even be going through difficult things and prefer to tell your friends, siblings or someone else rather than your own spouse. From what I have seen as a counsellor, this happens in more marriages than we like to admit. And the scary part is that sometimes, there is no big f...

There comes a time when silence becomes complicity.  In Zone A and across Niger State, we are watching a script play out. A script filled with whispers, conflicting stories, and deliberate confusion. Some people believe politics is about testing waters in secret, sponsoring narratives, and using faceless accounts to throw stones. They believe you can chase two offices at once, deny it in public, and still expect the people to take you seriously. That is not leadership. That is desperation. If Muhammad Mamman Nami wants to contest for Governor, he should say so.   If Peter Ndalikali Jiya wants to contest for Zone A Senate, he should say so. Come out. Stand before the people. Defend your ideas. Let your record speak.  But what we are seeing now is different. It is a game of shadows. One day senate, next day governor. One group pushing one story, another group pushing another. All while trying to paint others as the problem. APC and Farmer Governor Umaru Bago are focuse...