Mikel Arteta surveyed the wreckage of Arsenal’s controversial Champions League defeat at Inter Milan and insisted his spluttering side will emerge from the rubble to salvage their troubled season.

The Gunners crashed to a 1-0 loss in the San Siro on Wednesday, adding to the growing sense of turmoil around a team that was expected to mount a strong challenge for European and domestic silverware.

Arsenal dominated for large periods against Inter, but were left to rue a controversial penalty in first-half stoppage time when Mikel Merino was adjudged to have handled.

Hakan Calhanoglu converted the spot-kick and Arsenal were unable to muster an equaliser as they fell to a second successive 1-0 defeat after Saturday’s Premier League loss at Newcastle.

The Gunners have won just two of their last six games in all competitions, with those victories hardly impressive against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston in the League Cup.

Arteta’s team are languishing in fifth place in the Premier League, already seven points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s crucial London derby at Chelsea.

Hampered for weeks by the absence of captain Martin Odegaard — who finally returned from injury as a late substitute against Inter — Arsenal have looked a shadow of the vibrant team that took last season’s title race to the final day of the season.

Odegaard’s creativity and tenacious pressing has been sorely missed, while Arteta has also had to deal with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, as well as a rash of red cards that cost him the services of Declan Rice, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard.

As if their on-pitch travails weren’t concerning enough, Arteta has seen his trusted sporting director Edu make a shock exit from the Emirates Stadium.

Edu, who has a agreed a deal in principle to accept a similar role at Nottingham Forest, resigned at the start of this week after overseeing a major revamp of Arsenal’s squad since joining in 2019.

– ‘Extremely frustrating’ –

The 46-year-old shared a strong bond with Arteta, with whom he has transformed Arsenal into title contenders.

“We have been together on this journey since day one. He was instrumental for me to be where I am and I loved working with him. I enjoyed the journey to have him next to me,” Arteta said of Edu just before kick-off in the San Siro.

Edu scored in Arsenal’s famous 5-1 win at Inter in the Champions League group stage 21 years ago.

But history did not repeat itself on Wednesday as Arsenal attempted 20 shots, their most without scoring in a Champions League game since 2006 against CSKA Moscow.

Arteta launched a staunch defence of his players, claiming they were denied by refereeing mistakes rather than their own failings against Inter.

“The worst thing is the result, because of the performance and attitude we showed against one of the best teams in Europe in their stadium,” he said.

“It’s extremely frustrating because there were two decisions against us. If their one is a penalty then we should have one when Mikel Merino is punched in the head.

“Of all the big games we have played in Europe, this was the best I have seen from my team in the last two years.”

Arsenal cannot afford another setback against Chelsea this weekend if they are to remain in the hunt for a first English title since 2004 after successive runners-up finishes.

Arteta stuck to his upbeat assessment of Arsenal’s unexpected plight, saying: “If we play the way we played tonight, the team has a big chance to win at Chelsea.

“That is the way we have to go. I have told them I am proud of them. We are disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game that is for sure.”

Despite Arteta’s optimism, there are worrying signs that Arsenal’s hopes of finally dethroning Manchester City might be destined to end in disappointment.

[Vanguard]

“How the mighty fallen
Tell it not in Gath,
Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
Lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad,
Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice…”

2 Samuel 1.17-27

Shebi, I told you Donald Trump would win.

In this US election, the liberal message was that with Trump and Harris, there was no moral equivalence. They defined it clearly: One represents a flawed human, the kind we were familiar with when things were simpler and we were not inundated with information. The other is a despicable human being, a piece of garbage. It is already stinking. And the only humane thing we can do with it is to throw it out. No deodoriser can mask its smell. The Republic will take a long time to recover from the stench it already left behind.

That message did not resonate with most American voters who faced with overwhelming information in a fast-changing world, preferred crawling back into their familiar caves with the bugs they knew rather than being dumped into this new Vegas-like high-flying world they do not know how to navigate inside. As flawed as he is, Trump offered them a wing to hide in and a promise to return to simpler times when Obi was a boy and Ada was a girl.

Those still afraid recalled Saul’s story in the Bible and how he transformed into Paul and became one of the greatest apostles. They trusted God that Trump would become Zrump.

George Bernard Shaw noted that there are two tragedies in life. One is not getting what you want. The other is getting it.

The day after the election, Trump supporters and the conservatives will have to deal with the tragedy of getting what they want.

Nobody is leaving America for Donald Trump.

America will survive Trump. The question is whether those he promised to rescue from a world in transition will survive him.

Four years from now, gay people will not disappear in America. The America of the day Trump got reelected will become the world of remote parts of the globe four years from now. If conservatives want to see gays disappear, they will need to work hand in hand with Muslims to establish Sharia Law in America.

Illegal immigrants will not stop coming to America because Trump will be president for an additional four years. The political and economic fundamentals that drive immigrants to America are not going away because Trump is returning to the White House. Not even the deportation of 20 million illegal immigrants will stop it. If conservatives want to prevent immigrants from coming to America, they need to work with Russia to nuke New York City, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Dallas, and Boston. Then, illegal immigrants will dry up at the borders.

China will still be rising four years after Trump’s 2nd presidency. The only way America could have stopped China from rising was to have stopped American companies from moving their production factories to China thirty years ago. However, American capitalists’ greed could not resist cheap labor for a more significant profit. With its inherent transfer of technology, legal and illegal, it is what it is, as we say in America. Unfortunately, it is too late to do a damn thing about it. All that America can do now is to delay China’s rise as an aggressive adversary power. To achieve this, America must embrace China rather than isolate it.

The American working class will still pay more taxes than the rich. Trump’s takeover of the White House and Republicans controlling the Senate, possibly the House, and having a Supreme Court in his pocket, position them to renew Trump’s first-term tax cut for the rich. If conservatives want to stop that, they must grow a heart. It will require indulging in scientific innovation. It will mean embracing science and empirical proof. What will remain of conservatism and trickle-down economics if conservatives do that?

Churches will still close in America, and mosques will open up in their place. Trump’s presence in the White House will not stop it. If conservatives want to stop that, they have to learn one thing or two from Islamic fundamentalists. They must invent something like the Christian version of the Sharia Law, and anyone who does not pick up a Bible and go to church on Sunday will have their hand cut off.

There are genuine problems in America. Politicians are not interested in solving them. Most of the time, they don’t have solutions that won’t ruin their creed and greed. In those cases, they only have concepts.

So, to distract you, they point at other people trying to make their way on this earth and tell you they are your problems. They make you feel that the world you used to know is coming to an end, and they are the only ones who can turn the hand of the clock back. In the past, they used to promise to build a bridge where there was no river. Now, they promise to put AI back into the test tube it came out from.

And like programmed robots, we buy what politicians sell and run with it. It offers us nothing but an illusion of relief.

The good news is that evolution does not care about who the president is. It goes on. And as long as we are on the evolution train, we shall go with it, whether we like it or not. Those who know how to stop the world and jump out are the only ones safe from its forward motion. For others, as the cranking of the wheel continues, we all gradually approach the grinder.

Behold! America, the beautiful, where the daughters of the uncircumcised will one day rejoice. Not just today.

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches post-colonial African history, Afrodiasporan literature, and African folktales at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include “This American Life Sef” and “Children of a Retired God.” among others. His upcoming book is called “Why I’m Disappointed in Jesus.”

The Malaysian government has announced plans to phase out the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles and end the sale of natural gas vehicles (NGV) in the country.

Loke Siew Fook, minister of transport, spoke at a press conference recently, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), a local media organisation.

In Malaysia, CNG is referred to as NGV.

Fook said CNG-powered vehicles can no longer be registered or be used in Malaysia from July 1, 2025.

He also said Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), a government-owned oil and gas company, will halt the sale of CNG at its stations in stages, starting on July 1, 2025.

The minister said with only about 44,383 NGVs currently in the country — accounting for 0.2 percent of vehicles in Malaysia, excluding motorcycles — the safety of road users and the public will be restored.

“The NGV tanks of these vehicles are now reaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced and NGV tanks typically have a safe usage period of 15 years,” Fook said.

He further said there are also some car owners who have modified their vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are very dangerous.

The minister said the vehicles had caused explosions during accidents.

‘WE ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT PACKAGES FOR THE TRANSITION’

Fook said an assistance package aimed at helping owners of CNG-powered vehicles during the coming transition period has been put in place.

“Taxi drivers using NGV vehicles are eligible for a one-off RM3,000 e-voucher through Petronas’s Setel mobile app,” he said.

“They must have been registered with the Land Public Transport Agency before October 1.

“For dual-fuel vehicle owners, they can get their NGV kits removed for free at workshops selected by the transport ministry. Their vehicles must be registered with the road transport department (JPJ) before October 1.

“Lastly, for owners of purely NGV-powered vehicles, they are eligible for a one-off payment based on the current value of their vehicles, which will be determined by an independent appraiser.

“For this package, the vehicles must also have been registered with JPJ before October 1.

“Upon taking up the offer, the vehicles will be sent to an authorised automotive treatment facility to be disposed of and deregistered by JPJ.”

Fook said it is necessary to prevent the misuse of the vehicles or for any illegal modification to be carried out on them as it would endanger the public.

He said payments under the support package will be made within three to seven working days “of receiving a vehicle’s certificate of destruction and deregistration slip”.

Malaysia introduced the use of compressed natural gas in the late 1990s for taxicabs and airport limousines.

In Nigeria, the federal government is pushing for the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation.

The initiative, introduced by President Bola Tinubu as a measure to curb the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy on individuals, “attracted over $200 million in investments so far as the government plans to build 1,000 conversion centres” across the country.

[TheCable]

The United States of America (USA) mainstream media played a crucial role in the recent presidential election, which saw Donald J. Trump emerge as the winner. How they chose to use their platform will be a topic of debate for decades to come. The shift in journalism took a radical turn during Trump’s first term, with traditional media portraying him as a racist, fascist dictator—a narrative that gained traction worldwide, especially in developing countries (and yes, I believed it too).

Unbeknownst to the public, who were largely passive consumers of what was once trusted US media, Trump was standing in the way of a deeper socio-cultural agenda. Sadly, this agenda has gained traction worldwide. During the Obama administration, the U.S. government allegedly pressured African leaders to adopt elements of this radical ideology in exchange for economic aid. Although many African leaders resisted, the influence of these ideas has continued to spread, especially among the younger generation. This shift suggests that, while traditional values may still hold in certain regions, global cultural tides are rapidly transforming perspectives and social norms.

Is the media’s portrayal of Trump the first instance of biased reporting by the American press? Certainly not. We have seen this before: the media’s negative framing of Muslims as “terrorists” or the tendency to blame Black people in cases of police violence. The facade fell, however, when former President Joseph Biden’s cognitive decline became undeniable, exposing the mainstream media’s efforts to protect him. Although social media and some independent sources had raised concerns about Biden’s health, the mainstream press largely chose to ignore or cover it up until it was impossible to do so.

Control over the narrative is not limited to traditional media. Those behind mainstream outlets have extended their influence to social media, which is dominated by entities aligned with their ideology. This power was mobilized to promote Vice President Kamala Harris, with support from Hollywood celebrities, religious leaders, and civil rights activists. Even former President Jimmy Carter—whose legacy is fiercely guarded—was invoked as a supposed supporter of Harris. The push for Harris’s candidacy was also led by Barack Obama, who was instrumental in gathering influential figures to support her.

Why would the US media, celebrities, and prominent politicians go to such lengths to promote Harris? Why would Trump be subjected to more than one alleged assassination attempt? The answer lies in the radical gender ideology permeating today’s social fabric. But why would individuals and groups promote an ideology that is evidently divisive? To answer this question, we need to assess the interests of those driving this agenda critically.

It is worth noting that former President Barack Obama initiated this nearly successful social transformation. As the first Black president, with an immigrant father from Africa, his rise symbolized the realization of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. He seemed ideal for the role, and his actions initially garnered widespread support. However, when he steered towards more radical ideologies, some Americans took notice. Under the Biden administration, this ideology has found its way into schools, where children are being exposed to explicit material and gender-related content in an unprecedented manner.

Strict "cancel culture" policies quickly silenced those who raised concerns about children’s safety or who voiced traditional perspectives on gender. Words like “he” and “she” became politically fraught in public discourse. Universities and professional fields were soon flooded with new rules on acceptable language and ideas. Researchers and respected academics were forced to conform or risk being marginalized, "cancelled," and silenced for speaking out.

Why would any rational politician or celebrity push for the normalization of drag shows for children, or support Olympic performances that flaunt radical gender ideologies while ridiculing Christianity? A probable answer lies in the backgrounds of some of those supporting these ideologies—many are reportedly implicated in cases of sexual abuse against minors. Several of their names appear on Epstein's list. Is it possible that they seek to normalize such extreme ideologies to diminish their own reprehensible lifestyles should they be exposed? In my opinion, the answer is yes; that is why it’s their way or the highway.

Why is the media—the supposed voice of the common person—embroiled in this? It is because those promoting these ideologies either control the media directly or have close ties to those who do. As the Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan famously said, “the medium is the message.” Over the past 16 years, influential figures in American society have successfully used the media to push divisive agendas.

Trump has withstood attacks, endured hate speech, and emerged as America's 47th president, an accomplishment that might be seen as his “third election,” one of which he believes was stolen. Now, what will the biased media try to sell to Americans and the world? Are they prepared with new layers of deception we have yet to see? What does a skewed media mean for the future of journalism? These are the questions we should contemplate as US steps back from a volatile social landscape shaped by politicians with polarizing ideologies.

Israel Ayegba Ebije, former Press Secretary, Former lecturer (IBBUL), writes from Canada

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has advised Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited that deregulation should not be used as a justification for the importation of off-spec petroleum products or the undermining of Nigeria’s national interests.

The refinery made this statement in response to remarks by Robert Dickerman, CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, concerning the importation and blending of petroleum products, which he framed within the context of a "deregulated commodity market." Dangote Petroleum Refinery said that his argument for a deregulated market could not obscure the serious implications of his actions, which, it claimed, not only threatened the integrity of Nigeria’s energy sector but also endangered the welfare of its citizens.

While reiterating its support for deregulation and industrialisation, Dangote emphasised that this support is grounded in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from exploitation. The refinery made it clear that the health and safety of Nigerians should never be compromised in the pursuit of profit.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company has long been an advocate for deregulation and industrialisation in Nigeria, but our support is rooted in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country's economy and the protection of its people from any exploitation. Unlike Dickerman’s view, deregulation should not be a licence for the importation and distribution of off-spec products or the subversion of national interests,” it said.

The company also noted that, as an American, Dickerman should be well aware of how his own country protects its industries. It pointed to several recent examples from the United States to underline the point. For instance, U.S. President Joe Biden recently opposed the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel, stressing the importance of maintaining strong American steel companies supported by American workers—an example of protectionism that prioritises national economic interests over short-term profit. Similarly, the U.S. has taken action to restrict the use of Chinese-made cranes in its ports, citing national security concerns. The U.S. has also imposed a 100% tariff on electric vehicles and a 50% duty on medical equipment imported from China, further demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding domestic industries. The United States has also ramped up efforts to boost its own production of computer chips and medical supplies, driven by national security concerns and the need for economic self-sufficiency. Furthermore, during his presidency, George W. Bush used anti-dumping laws to impose tariffs on a range of Chinese goods that were considered to be unfairly priced.

“It is therefore perplexing that Dickerman, with all his experience in the U.S. market, would advocate for the importation and blending of petroleum products to Nigeria under the claim of deregulation and a free market. The fact is that he had deceitfully approached us and pleaded that we extend the pipeline from our refinery to Pinnacle’s tank farms for the purpose of blending our high-quality products with their imported products and selling them to Nigerians. We categorically rejected his request to extend our pipeline to their tank farms for such devious purposes because it would be a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust. The health and safety of Nigerians cannot—and should not—be compromised for profit.”

The company also raised concerns over Pinnacle Oil’s decision to lease its tank farms to a company without any retail outlets in Nigeria, questioning the strategic intent behind such actions, particularly given that the farms are located just 500 metres from Dangote’s refinery. It expressed its vigilance regarding the coordinated efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery, drawing parallels to the fate of refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery called on the government, patriotic Nigerians, and local businesses to remain steadfast in defending the country’s sovereignty and economic independence.

“The choice we face is between fostering industrialisation or allowing Nigeria to remain a dumping ground for inferior products while exporting jobs. For nearly three decades, cartels and their collaborators have sabotaged efforts to develop Nigeria’s refining capacity, keeping the country dependent on imported products. The time has come to end this cycle of exploitation and ensure that Nigeria’s energy sector works for the benefit of its people,” it added.

Reiterating its belief that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital for Nigeria’s economic growth, Dangote affirmed that it will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect both industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.

The company also expressed its support for healthy competition that drives innovation and quality, and looked forward to the upcoming commissioning of the four state-owned refineries, as promised by the NNPCL.

“At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in petroleum production, and we welcome competition that drives innovation and quality. However, we will never allow the continued importation and blending of petroleum products, nor the deliberate destruction of our national economy. We believe that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital to Nigeria’s economic growth, and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect our industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.”

“We eagerly anticipate the coming on stream of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries before the end of this year, as promised by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Mele Kyari. This milestone will not only end all baseless rumours of monopoly but also position Nigeria as a refining hub for petroleum products in Africa,” it concluded.

• Commiserates with Tinubu, Nigerian Army, South-West

 Lagos State Governor and the Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, describing his death as a colossal loss to Nigeria.

The Governor also commiserated with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, Security Chiefs, the Nigerian Army and the entire Nigerians over the death of the Chief of Army Staff.  

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Lagbaja, who died on Tuesday night in Lagos following a brief illness at the age of 56, as a dutiful and committed soldier who served Nigeria passionately.

The Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, who also sympathised with the immediate family, friends and associates of the late 23rd Chief of Army Staff.

The Governor praised the late Lt. General Lagbaja’s contributions in Nigeria’s efforts to end the war against insurgency and banditry, noting that the country would miss the rich experience and knowledge of the deceased soldier.

He said, “On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army on the death of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. I also sympathise with families, friends, and associates of the deceased.

“I am saddened by the death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. His death was a painful loss to Nigeria. He was a dutiful and committed soldier who served Nigeria passionately with dedication, skill, gallantry, and total commitment. He employed his long years of experience and expertise in the service of our fatherland.

“The late Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja will be sorely missed by the Nigerian Army, especially at this period when the country is intensifying the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements in different parts of the country.

“I pray that God would grant Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja eternal rest and grant the Nigerian army and the entire security chiefs, as well as the families, associates, and colleagues of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

SPECIAL ADVISER - MEDIA AND PUBLICITY

06 NOVEMBER 2024

In an unprecedented turn of events, Donald Trump has been reelected as President of the United States while under a felony conviction. 

Trump’s comeback to the White House, following his guilty verdict in a New York court on 34 counts of falsifying business records, is shaping up to be one of the most polarizing political moments in U.S. history. 

Despite his legal issues, Trump’s administration brings promises of policy shifts that may impact global geopolitics, economic strategies, and defense alliances.

Reduced Support for Ukraine: A Shift in Foreign Policy?

One of Trump’s primary campaign promises was to reassess U.S. involvement in international conflicts. He has been vocal about reducing support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, instead urging European nations to bear more of the financial and logistical burden. 

Trump has also hinted at pursuing a swift peace deal, though critics argue that this might favor Russia by freezing current battle lines.

Allies in NATO are bracing for a potential shift in the U.S.’s role, a move that could bring mixed reactions within the alliance.

Economic Optimism: Deregulation and Domestic Growth

A cornerstone of Trump’s policy platform involves deregulation and pro-business measures aimed at energizing the U.S. economy. 

Supporters argue that his previous term’s tax cuts and emphasis on domestic manufacturing were highly successful in boosting job growth and creating a robust economy. 

Experts predict that this renewed focus on deregulation could encourage investment and growth in sectors like energy, manufacturing, and technology. 

Some experts suggest that Trump’s leadership might bring an economic boost by making U.S. industries more competitive on a global scale and fostering resilience in the face of international competition.

Despite his conviction, Trump’s administration has pledged a tougher stance on law and order within the U.S. 

Trump’s policy ideas around supporting police forces, restricting immigration to enhance border security, and countering fentanyl trafficking resonate with some voters concerned about domestic safety. 

His administration may prioritize these areas in hopes of reducing crime rates and addressing public concerns about safety and stability.

Trump’s return also raises profound constitutional questions. 

Although his felony conviction would typically raise concerns about eligibility, there is no constitutional rule barring a felon from holding the presidency. 

His appeal is pending, and Trump’s legal team is expected to use every available route to delay sentencing until after the election. 

Analysts predict his situation may lead to legal precedents in future cases concerning candidate eligibility and public office.

As Trump returns to power, his administration’s impact on domestic and international policy remains uncertain but substantial. 

Time to return to Bill Clinton’s third way and the politics of tolerance?

I was wrong.

On Election Day, I got off the fence and publicly predicted a Kamala Harris win – and maybe a landslide sweep of most of the dead-heat swing states – on social media and RCP podcast.

Why did I post this prediction? Partly to prove to my children that what I promised them (a Harris victory) would happen. Partly, I can now see more clearly, I was trying to convince myself: My heart said Harris would win, but my head said Trump would prevail.

So now, after a sleepless night, here is my morning-after self-truth-telling. It’s time we liberal Democrats faced up to the truth: We have become the party of intolerance and shaming, and a lot of ordinary Americans who once reliably voted Democratic and shared our Franklin Roosevelt-era liberalism that viewed government as a force for good now look at us as out-of-touch elites. And worse, as controlling scolds.

I thought about my own fear of writing or saying something that might alienate those who call themselves “progressives” in the Democratic Party (and who roll their eyes when I use the word “liberal” from my dad and FDR’s vocabulary). We need to self-reflect on the fear we have created within our own ranks of saying and writing what we really think and feel out of fear of political and social ostracism and, honestly, of shaming by the base of our party.

I saw it happen to my law school friend, Hillary Rodham Clinton, when she ran for president against the “progressive base” hero, Sen. Bernie Sanders. Not only did Hillary (and inferentially, I and her supporters) become “illiberal” or “reactionary” in the vocabulary of the Bernie Sanders true believers. We became the “enemy.” (If you think that is an overstatement, look up the posts on Twitter and quotes on liberal cable shows from a group who called themselves “Bernie Bros” and their attacks on Hillary Clinton.) Hillary was fighting for liberal causes – civil rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, human rights – before these “Bros” were out of grade school.

So I begin this day-after assessment of Donald Trump’s victory with one simple thought: It’s up to those of us who’ve given our lives to the Democratic Party to take ownership of three elements that produced this unwelcome election result.

First and foremost, we’ve allowed what was once called “political correctness” to become an ideological enforcement tool. (Conservatives use the word “woke,” but I dislike that term because it reminds me of their hypocrisy: The political right also enforces its own orthodoxy with their version of cancel culture – and fails to see the irony that all they have to do to invoke it is to apply the word “woke” to those they disagree with.)

Second is the word intolerance. Our side applies this word to Trump and his supporters even as our left base refuses to tolerate any deviation from their stance on an increasingly long list of sacred cows. I speak from painful experience. I am sympathetic, empathetic, to those who suffer from the feeling they have two genders – one hidden inside, the other marked by physical characteristics on the outside. As President Clinton would say, sincerely, I feel their pain.

But I am also uncomfortable with the idea that males in transition to being females should be allowed to use restrooms for “girls” or “women” without any concern for the discomfort it might cause young girls or grown women. If we must be sensitive to the challenge of being transgender, why should trans people be insensitive to the discomfort of those who are not? And how did it become a litmus test in our political party to support biological males competing in female sports?

The Trump campaign made great hay out of reproducing a clip of Kamala Harris advocating using tax dollars to pay for transgender surgery in prisons. There is certainly a case to be made for paying for such surgery, but this debate isn’t really about incarcerated felons. It’s about shaming people – even fellow liberals with a history of supporting gay rights – for daring to even ask questions about whether children should be encouraged by adults (not their parents) to change genders.

For me, this is the biggest lesson of why so many people voted for Trump, so many people I know, people who are friends. They resent the intolerance of people who call themselves “progressives” – but whose instinct of intolerance is not liberal at all. It is illiberal and reactionary. And yet I feared alienating them. I feared being shamed by them.

A very long time ago, a candidate named Bill Clinton often used the expression “third way” to describe the courage to resist the entrenched orthodoxies of both major political parties. The courage to plant yourself on what you truly believe – not right, not left, but a third way, which happens to be the place in American politics where solutions are found.

So our base, and I include myself in sharing this blame, feared speaking out loud what we felt about the hundreds of thousands of migrants who crossed our borders in the last four years. I have Latino friends, waiting for their green cards, who admitted with some hesitancy that they were voting for Trump. They did so not despite his immigration views, but because of them. Knowing he would be called a racist for doing so, Trump said that it’s time to enforce the law and stop illegal migrants from “jumping the line,” as one of my Latino friends said to me approvingly – approving of Trump, not the migrants.

My second column in this series will be to expound on what I see as the future for the Democratic Party – to go back to Bill Clinton’s “third way,” or as he put it – “neither right nor left but the third way to solve problems.”

He did alienate both sides when he served his two terms as president – certainly the left, and, as seen by his hyper-partisan and illegitimate House impeachment vote, the right as well.

But President Clinton was right: He solved problems and he “put people first.” And he ended his last day in office, January 20, 2001, enjoying the highest job approval rating (65%) of any two-term president since polling and job approval surveys were invented decades ago.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Lanny Davis is the founder of the Washington, D.C., law firm Lanny J. Davis & Associates. From 2018-2024 Davis served as a legal advisor for Michael Cohen, but for the N.Y. DA trial Cohen is represented by experienced N.Y. counsel. Davis uniquely operates at the intersection of law, media, and politics to solve client problems. From 1996-98, Mr. Davis served as special White House counsel to President Bill Clinton. In 2006, he was appointed by his Yale College friend, President George W. Bush, to serve on a special post-9/11 White House panel to advise the president on privacy and civil liberties issues. He is the author of six books on politics, government, law, and crisis management. He has been writing his “Purple Nation” column since 2010

Yes, of course, the schedule of Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, as Coordinating Minister of the Economy, includes providing foundational, but realistic ideas to turn around the economy of Nigeria for the better.

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget, is responsible for planning the Nigerian economy, as it was done by Prof Adebayo Adedeji, Federal Commissioner for Economic Planning and Reconstruction of the post-civil war military government of General Yakubu Gowon.

But it appears that Edun is more concerned with fiscal policies of the government and does less of coordinating the economy, safe for ad-hoc assignments given to him by President Bola Tinubu, just as Bagudu concentrates more on the arithmetic of the national budgets, and not so much on planning the economy.

It is not very obvious that both ministers have been thinking of reviving the economy, and not just managing the cash flow effects of the removal of petrol subsidy and flexible exchange of the naira, policies which Edun probably thinks are enough to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape.

While Edun may have neglected new macroeconomic policies or conceptual frameworks for the economy, Bagudu doesn’t seem to remember the five-year development plans that can provide the building blocks of the economy as they should have been conceptualized by Edun.

By using development plans, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics surpassed America’s economy to the extent that, by the late 1950s, the USSR was able to finance the first orbit of the earth by Russian astronaut, Yuri Gagarin.

Development plans swiftly placed the USSR economy ahead of America’s economy that hitherto practically financed the Allied Forces’ prosecution of World War II efforts against Axis Powers led by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany, and the post-war Marshal Plan to stabilize Europe’s economy. Unfortunately, development plans were thoughtlessly jettisoned by military President Ibrahim Babangida for a strange animal that he called “Rolling Plans.”

The omissions of Edun and Bagudu give one the impression that the government is without economic direction- which leads to the wonderment that maybe there should be a “Minister of the Economy” to think out foundational economic policies for the nation.

By the way, the motive of Edun’s strange directive that foreign currency outside of the banking system must be deposited in bank vaults is not quite clear. His coyness when discussing the subject gives the impression of someone having a hard time concealing something that the public must not know. But then, it may just be his manner of speaking!

The “Minister of the Economy” may be assisted by a Council of Economic Advisers, with members that should include economists, sociologists, philosophers, scientists, technologists, investment bankers, corporate managers, labour leaders and entrepreneurs with factory-floor experience in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the service industry, and not just Harvard or GQ types.

The minister must search for cutting-edge technology that meets today’s global peculiarities.

It appears that this was the job of economist, Patrick Sanwo, founding Editor of Business Times, when he was Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Establishment under Col Adekunle Lawal during the Generals Murtala Muhammed/Olusegun Obasanjo military era.

Much will particularly be expected of Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who may be spending a much longer period as Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment than Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, in the areas of stimulating, diversifying the economy, reducing poverty, creating wealth and employment.

To break Dr. Oduwole’s task into brass tacks, or the details of the immediate and practical actions that she must take, one could say that trade, or the process of exchange of commodities, is a synonym for the economy.

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Whereas industry is another name for productive enterprises, or the real sector and service enterprises, investment is the exchange of money for the acquisition of assets, like stocks, bonds, lands, properties and others that yield streams of revenue over the usually long period that they are held.

Dr Oduwole should be thinking of at least a five-year development plan, like the 1962-1968 Development Plan that was packaged for Nigeria by the World Bank under the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa government.

She must also be thinking of the nature, volume and growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy. She cannot run the economy by merely coasting along on the current template. Luckily for her, President Tinubu has envisaged a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

She must prove wrong, naysayers, like investment banker Bismarck Rewane, who insists that, because about 75 per cent of Nigeria’s economy, with the current growth rate of 3.19 per cent, contracted in the second quarter of 2024, it may be impossible to achieve President Tinubu’s $1 trillion dream within the next five or six years.

Dr Oduwole should be earnestly pushing the President to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Mill is fully operational immediately and encourage local manufacture of industrial plants, machinery, spare parts and raw materials, critical components of the silver bullet template that will make the economy productive.

As she is reading the tea leaves of trends in digital technology, she should also be thinking of how to motivate and herd local and foreign investors into Nigeria’s agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service industries.

It is realistic to recognize that though it may no longer be at the centre stage, the Industrial Revolution of steamships and the wheel may not have been completely replaced by the New Information Age and its attendant convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and computer technologies. Though it’s not looking as if the Luddites will be able to halt or roll back the digital march, wise economic planners must recognize the existential importance of the traditional economy.

Dr. Oduwole should have a clearly defined plan to revive the textile industry and grow automobile manufacturing companies. She should assemble experts who can advise her on the kind of technology, the volume of investment, and the template for running the exceedingly critical electricity sector of the economy.

In addition, she should think about how training and re-training entrepreneurs to learn the appropriate skill set, aptitude and attitude for the new kinds of industries that will achieve the economic dream that President Tinubu has for Nigeria.

As for investment, Dr. Oduwole is already well-prepared: She is an attorney, who knows how to suture together various kinds of business templates. As a former czarina, former Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business and Secretary to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, she knows how the eco-system of business should work.

With a PhD in International Trade and Development, with a concentration on the strategy of the World Trade Organisation, formerly known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Dr Oduwole will certainly know how to handle the international aspect of Nigeria’s trade.

As a member of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement Implementation National Action Committee of Nigeria, she should be able to neatly integrate the West African sub-region, if not Central and East African sub-regions, into Nigeria’s economic planning orbit.

If she is truly the thinker that she is reputed to be, Nigeria may just be on its way to the promised economic future.