NIGERIA, Nov. 27 -- Nigeria often behaves like a country that has not yet made up its mind to be serious. We say we will get there someday, but every passing week proves that we are still far away.

How does a nation in the throes of insecurity allow the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, to issue sensitive security briefings that should ordinarily come from the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, or the military high command?

Where is the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu? Where are the spokespersons of the Army, Navy, and Air Force? Have they suddenly lost their voices that an overzealous presidential aide is now the government's mouthpiece on combat strategy, classified intel, and military constrain...