Unfortunately, while Mr. Obasanjo deserves credit for good deeds outside of Nigeria, his own country is deteriorating fast and he is partly to blame. For one thing, by trying to change Nigeria's Constitution to allow himself to run for a third four-year term as president, Mr. Obasanjo is further enflaming political tensions among Nigeria's polarized ethnic groups, particularly the Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.

Nigeria lost more than 100 people in tit-for-tat sectarian rioting over Danish caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. In the north, Muslims attacked and killed Christians. In the south, Christian mobs wielding machetes and knives set upon their Muslim neighbors in retaliation. And in the Niger River delta, militants seeking more local control over oil money have attacked pipelines and even captured oil workers.

Fueling some of this is the perception, right or wrong, that Mr. Obasanjo's much vaunted anti-corruption campaign concentrates only on critics of his government. Certainly, bad things continue to happen to foes of the Obasanjo government. Three months ago, the wife of a prominent northern politician was found stabbed to death in her home. Nothing was taken from the house, leading many to conclude that her killing was a warning to her husband, Abubakar Rimi, a crucial member of a coalition of powerful northerners opposed to any extension of Mr. Obasanjo's rule. And last week, police arrested Mr. Rimi and other opposition leaders for trying to hold a peaceful rally.

The last thing Africa needs is its most populous country — Nigeria has between 120 million and 150 million people — in a civil war. An out-of-control Nigeria would undermine its already fragile neighbors, like Liberia, Togo, Ivory Coast and the Congo.

In his two terms, Mr. Obasanjo has helped bring stability to a volatile region. But two terms is enough, and it is incumbent on President Bush to tell Mr. Obasanjo that changing his country's Constitution so that he can remain in office is foolhardy. Another four years is not worth a Nigerian civil war.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.03.2006 14:57

EezeeBee  Villager

# 2 Unfortunately, while Mr. Obasanjo deserves credit for good deeds outside of Nigeria, his own country is deteriorating fast and he is partly to blame The above statement is the tragedy of our times and 'leaders'. It is evidence of what I believe; Till now, every 'ruler' of Nigeria as a country and the leaders of it's constituent states, has acted out the belief that anything, anyone, any circumstance OUTSIDE of Nigeria is better and thus worth aspiring to than the circumstances and conditions for Nigerians inside the country. That is why they run off to visit foreign presidents, enjoy the lights, water, security they see there and return to Nigeria with NO EFFORT to let NIGERIANS also enjoy such things. What a pity! When will a true LEADER of ALL Nigeria emerge? Posted by EezeeBee| 26.03.2006 15:21

Hube	# 3 Ezee, you are right on the mark. OBJ has bettered the lives of Liberians and others while ignoring the suffering of his people. These are not leaders, they are shortsighted opportunists, that is how I see them. Posted by Hube| 26.03.2006 15:28

Citizen Kane

# 4 I am exhilarated to note that The New York Times has taken up the "no third term" mantle. I know that our "leaders", respect the foreign view more than they do that of Nigerians. After all, they can always decide who wins the elections. My fellow Nigerians, this is a call for us to DO SOMETHING. We are not sheep. Posted by Citizen Kane| 26.03.2006 15:46

hap	# 5 Things have falls apart in that country long time ago. Posted by hap| 26.03.2006 15:52

Obugi  Villager

# 6 EZB, It is evidence of what I believe; Till now, every 'ruler' of Nigeria as a country and the leaders of it's constituent states, has acted out the belief that anything, anyone, any circumstance OUTSIDE of Nigeria is better and thus worth aspiring to than the circumstances and conditions for Nigerians inside the country. That is why they run off to visit foreign presidents, enjoy the lights, water, security they see there and return to Nigeria with NO EFFORT to let NIGERIANS also enjoy such things. Same thing can b said about almost every Nigerian, and most Nigerians I know I r not in policy making positions in govt. :rolleyes: Obugi. Posted by Obugi| 26.03.2006 15:54

citizen Kane

# 7 I am exhilarated to note that The New York Times has taken up the "no third term" mantle. I know that our "leaders", respect the foreign view more than they do that of Nigerians. After all, they can always decide who wins the elections. My fellow Nigerians, this is a call for us to DO SOMETHING. We are not sheep. Posted by citizen Kane| 26.03.2006 15:54

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 8 It is refreshing that The New York Times Editoral Board mentioned some of the numerous accomplishments/achievements of President Obasanjo. Nigerians here should feel humbled! It is sobering to witness non-Nigerians give President Obasanjo credit for his efforts, at least some of his efforts! Most Nigeiran with rabid hatred for President Obasanjo, are never willing to give him credit for anything. At least The New York Times is generous and charitable enough to shower President Obasanjo with some credit for his efforts! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 26.03.2006 18:12

EezeeBee  Villager

# 9 =Obugi>EZB, Same thing can b said about almost every Nigerian, and most Nigerians I know I r not in policy making positions in govt. :rolleyes: Obugi. Sir Obugi, Without stating the obvious, as you have already said, "most Nigerians I know I r not in policy making positions in govt". That is precisely why 'LEADERSHIP' (or lack thereof) is so important. Evade it all you want to but as long as our 'leaders' are NOT instituting policies that will benefit the Nigerian POPULACE, it is the LEADERS and not the followers (who have little or NO effect on policy) that are to blame for the failings in the society. Of course when the followers see that the Nigerian 'leaders' policies benefit those in America, The UK and elsewhere, who no like betta thing? They too will sell their souls to come to US of A and get loans from Bank of America, since they can't get them from any Bank of (in) Nigeria. Policies that drive development, are instituted and shepherded by leaders, not followers. As long as our 'leaders' are merely 'following' scripts laid down for them by foreign interests, the results you see and experience are what we endure today in Nigeria. Posted by EezeeBee| 26.03.2006 20:40

Abraxas  Villager

# 10 Hi, folks! Once again, please let us all just sit back, relax, watch, and see how the usual gang of noise-making pseudo-patriotic OBJ praise-singers’, nyash-lickers’, and official sycophants cult in cyberspace (i.e. Mr. I Love Nigeria, Mr. Taslim Anibaba, Nosa, et al) will bombard the Village Square with all manner of repugnant claptrap, ranging from the ridiculous, to the preposterous, all in the dim-witted expectation of convincing Nigerians to support the mindless self-perpetuation fantasy of their very beloved economic reforms darling, political guru, security whiz kid, economic wizard, and anti-corruption superhero, His Imperial Majesty, Chief (General) Olusegun Mathew Aremu Okiliolakan Obasanjo, in his well-deserved capacity as the sole house-boy-in-charge of the petroleum-rich Niger Delta sector of the Gulf of Guinea, for, and on behalf of the crude oil-hungry "good people" of the United States of America, under the remorseless command, and extraordinary leadership of the God-fearing champion of democracy, Winner of the President of the Year Award Worldwide, and Commander-in-Chief of the War Against Terrorism (International), His Excellency, US President (Dr.) George W. Bush (The former Golden Governor of Texas, Omo N’Oba of New York City, Galadima of Chicago, Balogun of Washington DC, and Ikemba of Florida). We are watching you all with very keen interest. Don Juan Carlos Abraxas (III) Posted by Abraxas| 27.03.2006 04:01

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