I know a lot has been written and will still be written about the albatross weighing down the current dispensation of Government in Nigeria. While most of these articles bear semblance to a doom prophecy, logically, it can rightfully be said that the writers have been left with little or no choice but to analyze what they see based on the trend of activities in Yar’adua’s government. Until of late, the major reason shackling Yar’adua is the illegitimacy of the election that gave him ascension to power. But as we all know, his health has upstaged even that as a major factor of hindrance of whatever commitment he may possess for the Nigerian cause.

Truly, one must say that as each day goes by, an exposé into the circumstances that hoisted Umaru Yar’dua on Nigeria gets clearer. With act devoid of patriotism, love of the country and the fear of God, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo who had no intention of leaving office, sought an illegal 3^rd term. He was so wrapped up in his cocoon of self grandeur and importance, that he had no concrete program for the right person who would succeed him. Obasanjo, by default or design gawked himself into believing that only him could rule Nigeria. But when it dawned on him that surely the third term bid was never going to see the light of the day and it would be easier for the late dictator General Abacha to rule Nigeria again than him getting his desired 3^rd term. He hurriedly began searching for a candidate and being someone, who always wanted to be relevant, someone who think his voice should only be the voice to be heard. Obasanjo, as it seemed, only used two criteria in choosing his successor and that was firtsly that (Yar’adua) was not going to use the office to steal government funds. The second reason as we all know was a political checkmate on his own Vice President's ambition. Obasanjo did not care what Yaradua’s commitment to Nigeria was? Or the state of health of Yar’adua? Obasanjo selfishly, imposed him on Nigerians. A honest man who wouldn't steal a dime or kobo may not have the wherewithal in terms of plans and good health to administer the job in question and even though the Nigerian top job requires vigor, commitment and enthusiasm wrapped up in good heath, Obasanjo only wanted someone he could control, someone who is more honest than he while in power. For Obasanjo, putting an honest man in that position was not for the love he had for the country. It was solely an astute act of wanting someone who would not use the facilities of power to be as powerful as he (Obasanjo) used it.

Since Yar’adua was not known to have stolen, funding his campaign became a headache. A headache, that was successfully solved by some corrupt governors of the ruling PDP. People who ordinarily in a pure democratic setting would have been locked away for eternity for crimes that can be equated to insane armed robbery and treason against the state of Nigeria. 

Not that being honest in power is a bad thing for Nigeria, no! far from it, if anything; it is what we require in our country. Thankfully as it seems Yar’adua has declared his assets but whether or not he is willing to do that again one year on is another thing entirely.Or of what use is his honesty if the machinations that helped him into office were provided by those that are reportedly wanted for embezzlements? The people we see or hear are around him are the same people whose trials or attempted trials have been muddled up by his government. A Yoruba saying best describe the situation of Yar’adua’s government. “Omi eko eko” meaning water surrounding the pap meal is also a pap. In which case you are as good as the people around you.

Recently, an American official investigating the LNG bribery scandal uttered in frustration how Nigerian officials have not been helpful in the cause of bringing the culprits to book; meanwhile, heads have been rolling in America for the same investigation. Apart from the occasional saying of it by the press, nothing is heard about it from the government quarters. Or can't we all see what had become of the power probe, NNPC or aviation probe?

With all said, his health still remain the fulcrum centre for which questions about his continued stay as president of Nigeria is hinged. An ordinary sick man for the period of his sickness loses appetite for most things…even power! Now imagine a terminally ill man in that position? Simply put, commitment, patriotism and love for Nigeria will come to nothing if one is terminally ill. Those people who mentioned world leaders with one illness or another that successfully discharged their duties while they were in power forgot to acknowledge the people around such leaders. The people with genuine intentions that made such government work . They were the real reasons behind such successes. Now taking a closer look at the people around the government of the day in Nigeria. Do they have genuine intentions to make things work? Who did the vetting on these people? Was It not Yar’adua? If he was indisposed due to his health, who then carried out the vetting? The same people who we mentioned earlier, people who dont love Nigeria. This brings back to mind the Yoruba saying… “Omi eko eko”

Why hasn't anyone in his government deemd it fit to declare their own assets? Or why hasn't Yar'adua himself asked them to do so? Has it not become a case of swimming against the tide of the river for him? if only him declared his assets how willing are everybody on his team to fight corruption? The 'rule of law' has become the perfect excuse not to do the right thing for Nigeria.

May be we have beenl starved of good leadership and we expect miracles whenever we see a new man come in. the miracle we are expecting can only come if we are allowed to make choices by ourselves. You don’t appreciate what is thrust unto you on a platter like you would do what you actually sweat and toiled for. For 8 years we have had men who claimed they were unwilling initially to take Nigeria’s top job. We don’t need such men, what we want is someone who has an idea of what he wants for Nigeria years and years before he even sniffed power.

SHUTTING OF CHANNELS TV 

In today’s world, news and information fly around everywhere unlike 20, 30 years ago where the radio TV and newspaper were the only source of news, nowadays we have the internet as an easier, faster and cheaper means of dissemination. Apart from these, it can be assessed world over which has made even the radio, TV and newspapers are now using the internet as a host for their activities. Therefore segregating what genuine news is, from what is not genuine has become a hard task. Especially when such news comes from sources which media outfits have been subscribed to for years without hassles. It surprised me though when it was reported Channels TV station was shut down and their license revoked by the NBC for relaying news that President Yar’adua could resign on health grounds. For a government that sounded rule of law as its ‘modus operandi’, the act committed is so much like ‘the rule of barracks’. Why shut down a media house when investigations are still going on for the origin of the news? Channels TV only relayed what they got from AFP (Agency France Presse) and NAN (News Agency of Nigeria). Where the men of the SSS should be based for their investigations at the moment is the offices of NAN and AFP. NAN reportedly said their system was hacked into; therefore the SSS should be looking for the hacker or hackers and not sealing off media houses especially when Channels TV immediately refuted the story courtesy of Olusegun Adeniyi from the Government.

The NBC (Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation) suspended the license of Channels TV but did not do same of NAN where the hacking was done. Or has it not got powers over NAN?

The presidency should know better that the supposed cloud of mystery and the melee surrounding the health of the president in the last 3 weeks or so will continue to be speculated upon, more so as no body in its establishment has deemed it fit to clear the air once and for all. If it is a matter of national security to report the president’s resignation where there are no intentions of such? Can same not be said of the president shrouding the true state of his health by continuing to invite doubters for a game of squash or using religious pilgrimage as a decoy to abandon his duties for almost 3 weeks? The sealing off of Channels TV by the state agents is a dangerous indication of high handedness of this government and only a quick restoration of operations of the sealed media house will help put a salve on the people’s new perception of Yar’adua and his government.

Robot  # 1 | 19.09.2008 22:36

I know a lot has been written and will still be written about the albatross weighing down the c...Read the full article.