President Obasanjo has intimated us that he knows those who would not succeed him. He has also made it clear that the Vice-President is not his favorite person, not to mention the issue of being his successor. President Obasanjo has also made ample preparation for life after the presidency with the questionable, if scandalous, Presidential Library foundation launching.

Anti-corruption Campaign

Although all politicians in Nigeria have been smeared with the corruption tar, the current president has sought to part ways with the past at great cost. In seeking for fiscal responsibility, he had put the golden cow (oil and gas) under his personal supervision in order to stanch the hemorrhaging in the sector. He had through his ministers spoken, then, taken steps to plug the looting loopholes. The governors were warned, Dariye was arrested in London, and he jumped bail. Alamie was then caught in same London on his way back from Germany. He fought the courts through his lawyers and his publicist put their spin on why he was arrested with over one million Pounds Sterling.

Both Dariye Alamie had as their alocutus, the excuse that they were arrested because they are in the bad books of OBJ by supporting the Veep instead of the C-in-C. If that is true the governors must be very naïve indeed. Only in Nigeria can a Vice President raise his claws against his boss while in office. Even if the Veep was the power behind the throne (which is not conceded) the Veep should have learned from other wiser fore-runners the saying “he must increase while I decrease”. OBJ has made anti-corruption and the reformation of government his major plank; question is, is the Veep following, even nominally? OBJ would naturally think; if Atiku takes over would he continue in the same direction?

Professionals Brought On

Nigerians, especially those in the Diaspora had continuously urged the president to bring on the professionals into government and to give them free reign to fix the economic mess and ensure a smooth system as obtains in the diverse foreign places of refuge they had run to. After much prevarication, the president acceded in search of a sound foundation of reforms and a good legacy for himself. Because our economy is mono-culture and we were neck-deep in debt without a clue as to how to steer in the maze of international finance without honoring our debt servicing obligations, the western based professionals were lured home to help. In show of approval in negotiation with one of their own, the Paris Club gave Nigeria a breather. While it is still being debated whether or not what we received was the best deal that could have been procured, the fact remains that there was at least a deal signed and sealed, because Ngozi was there to make it happen. I do not overlook the power of presence of Professor Soludo and the others, but Ngozi is the primary face given to the deal.

Politics of Continuity

One of the greatest problems of Nigeria and most third world economies is the lack of continuity. In light of this factor, most international investors are wary of long term investments and in Nigeria; they are presently especially concerned as to who would succeed OBJ for good cause. If there is a crackdown on corruption illegal bunkering and Dollar round-tripping by banks for instance, the Naira rates may stabilize. A prospective investor may be attracted to invest long term. If the government changes hands and the new set of rulers decide that they prefer to loot ad-infitum with no processes put in place to continue with the little gains, the investor’s trepidation would have been justified. That may be why OBJ may be interested in who succeeds him to continue his legacy. What better person than his Minister of Finance?

The Igbo Question

The Igbo Question would also be settled if Ngozi is supported, groomed and elevated to the Presidency. She is already presidential (temper and all). She has Charisma, exposure within Nigeria and internationally and has a proven track record that can stand scrutiny. The icing on the cake is that she is younger and of Igbo descent. If the major tribes have ruled repeatedly for years and the Igbos could not get to the pie because they could not rally together, OBJ has inadvertently brought out a beautiful creation of Ndigbo to the fore. The Ikemba, Chief Ekwueme, Chief Iwanyanwu, and the other Igbo Elders could call for a brotherly meeting to anoint her and settle Governor Orji Kalu in the interest of peace to back his sister or to vie for the in-house Igbo primary election with her as the other candidate.

Woman President

How Liberia beat us to it is the question on most minds but consolation is in the fact that they beat even the US to it except if you believe the apocryphal story that Bill was jus Hillary’s errand boy in their joint presidency. Seriously, Women have taken over in Germany and Liberia. Even ambitious women are cannot be as crude with Ghana Must Go as we have seen manifested. If OBJ gives us this present of Ngozi, he would be ensuring his legacy as well as stemming the crocodiles waiting by the river’s edge for him to step out of the murky waters of Nigerian politics for them to eat up all the small fishes. Of course Ngozi would need her First Gentleman by her side and a smart lawyer like me on the other side to whisper and point out to her the traps and mine-fields buried deep down-under.

Third Term Agenda?

Na Sakara oloje ni.

Ngozi For President

Tell me what you think; OBJ;

Ndigbo;

Everyone.

Robot  Villager

# 1 The Igbo Question would also be settled if Ngozi is supported, groomed and elevated to the Presidency. She is already presidential (temper and all). She has Charisma, exposure within Nigeria and internationally and has a proven track record ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 07.12.2005 23:55

Unregistered

# 2 Yes, indeed, Ngozi for president. After all those who have been president had far less qualifications than she has. She cannot do any worst than them. She may be the Iron Lady we need to pull us through in an area men have fail wontonly. Posted by Unregistered| 08.12.2005 00:09

Chinedu

# 3 That would be the best thing that can happen to Nigeria.It would notably achieve 3 things,first it would heal the age old quarrel between the Yoruba and Igbo,which the North has capitalised on to dominate Nigeria,and finally unify the South. Hopefully rather than Afenifere and Ohaeneze,they might merge to form "OHANIFERE" representing the whole South. secondly Nigeria would be having a proffesional and a technocrat for the first time in her history. Thirdly the Igbo question would be closed once and for all with the three major tribes reaching middle ground. Posted by Chinedu| 08.12.2005 00:21

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 4 Ngozi Iweala, Our Next President! And deservedly so! You should meet her, watch her speak passionately to all issues Nigerian! She possess full grasp of all the important and relevant Issues... She led a delegation to Washington DC and New York City recently at the behest of our preseident... and despite the hectic schedule they had to contend with, she was always poised, always articulate, always speaking with committment and dedication to the goodness of all of Nigeria. She has excellent credentials, she has extraordinary experience and exposure at the highest global level.... She is very unassuming and direct, it is also about time that Nigeria produces a female president and Nigeria should have before Liberia! Some of us actually broached the subject of her presidential qualities during her delegation's stay in New York, but she would not hear of it! But let us draft her! Dr. Ngozi OKonjo Iweala for president! WHY NOT? All this speak great of President Obasanjo who has had the wisdom to select seasoned and world renowned technocrats such as Minister Iweala, Prof. Soludo of CBN, and Minister Adeniji of External Affairs etc As for breaking the gender barrier, President Obasanjo it is, who appointed the first female Supreme Court Justice Of Nigeria.... A good manager (president Obasanjo) is such manager appoints and place qualified and fit persons for jobs, where right results are produced.... making the employees and the manager shine! Kudos to President Obasanjo... who deserves credit for ferreting out Nigeria's best talents... including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Posted by I Love Nigeria| 08.12.2005 00:33

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 5 Terfa Ula-Lisa, Esq. This is to express my appreciation to you for a thought provoking article, it is with pure satisfaction with I received it. Bravo! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 08.12.2005 00:46

Unregistered

# 6 Being a president involves collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. What kind of data and for what purpose? Answer: Economic, social, military/intelligence, accounting, scientific, inter-state and international data. Getting useful data involves many Nigerians and many Nigerian agencies, usually populated by military MEN. The purpose of the data is for making decisions about the welfare of Nigeria given the stipulations in the Nigeria constitution, which was written by military MEN. Now, the idea of Mrs. Iweala becoming the next president may be God-sent for all of us if done properly. What do I mean by done properly? Try this question: Can she endure the gathering of data by useless Nigerian military men under their useless/patriarchal constitution? She can succeed as a president of Nigeria if she has the guts to do what many have refused to think about: hire millions of retired generals from American military as advisers. Collin Powell can organize and manage such a group. The generals will then use/employ and train many Nigerians in the Diaspora. The rest is history with our native retired/tired thieves in uniform. Posted by Unregistered| 08.12.2005 01:16

WAFI

# 7 This is one of the best suggestions I have heard in a long while. In the last few years, our political parties have paraded cunning politicians and ex-military leaders as the only eligible democratic leaders. Most often the common Nigerian is left in doubt as to the true abilities of these characters in running the government. Unfortunately, most of these politicians do not have an impressive track record from their earlier administrative/ leadership assignments. Ngozi Iweala is a true professional like many other Nigerians. I think she would make a great president. She has a proven track record. We need a leader with integrity and vision. I see these and so many other great qualities in this woman. I would not be fair enough if i do not mention the NAFDAC woman as also a leader with vision and integrity. (can't even remember her name). BUT, I still think Nigerians need to get over their “tribalistic” and chauvinist mentality. With what we have seen in the last four to six years (corruption and political drama), I think every Nigerian should be sane enough to vote in credible candidates in the next democratic elections. I would return to Nigeria to vote for Ngozi, if she were a presidential candidate. "Fortunately or unfortunately" I am not Igbo nor a woman but all the same, I will prefer to gamble my vote on a credible candidate. We need someone who can help to strengthen our foundation as a country. Nigeria needs to come back on its feet. Posted by WAFI| 08.12.2005 01:18

Unregistered

# 8 What are the qualifications that she would tender? As always we seek to vote with our emotions, a woman. an Igbo and because we fancy that we are professionals and technocrats so we want to identify with 'one of our own' I know nthing of the woman but who the cap fits let them wear it. All I know is Obj must not be allowed to do a third term Good works or bad he's had his time. Agbonizuanghwe Posted by Unregistered| 08.12.2005 01:19

Palamedes  Villager

# 9 …. The Ikemba, Chief Ekwueme, Chief Iwanyanwu, and the other Igbo Elders could call for a brotherly meeting to anoint her and settle Governor Orji Kalu in the interest of peace to back his sister or to vie for the in-house Igbo primary election with her as the other candidate. If I were Ngozi Iweala, I would run miles away from this idea - It is exactly what she doesn’t need. Assuming that she is interested in the post, she must present herself as a NIGERIAN candidate and not as an Igbo. I will advice her NOT TO DO TRIBE. Posted by Palamedes| 08.12.2005 02:02

Unregistered

# 10 I beg you guys not to lead ngozi to an early grave, Babangida etc will not find this funny! Posted by Unregistered| 08.12.2005 02:59

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