Since the governor of Katsina State , Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, became Chief Obasanjo’s anointed presidential candidate a lot of questions have been asked about his health. His party officials tried in many occasions to dodge the issue, but nature took its course, and his ill health is no longer a rumor. For this writer his fragile health is not an issue, because ‘we will die anyway.’ The main problem for Alhaji Yar’Adua is, in this writer opinion, the PDP and Chief Obasanjo-names that spell chaos, disorder, and fraud in Nigerian politics. Alhaji Yar’Adua must be dreaming if he thinks that PDP is a party to embrace at this point in the history of Nigeria . For most Nigerians Chief Obasanjo is a polarizing figure who has become a symbol of government dishonesty and corruption. More important, the current indictment of his godfather on corruption could weaken his support base. If given the chance Nigerians would avoid any person who would relive Chief Obasanjo’s nightmare!

Another serious problem for Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua is that it appears he is incapable of making any positive changes in the nature of Nigerian politics.  Many Nigerians seem to perceive as one who is not ready to be President - a weakling who would be manipulated by his political godfather. In other words, he is not ‘his own man’! It appears Chief Obasanjo is the current presidential candidate for the PDP and Alhaji Yar’adua is his running mate, while Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is an aide (a passive bystander) carrying their campaign bag! They do not appear enthusiastic because both of them were just dragged into the race! They did not test his popularity within his party during their primary and many their aggrieved party members are grudgingly tagging along.

However, Alhaji Yar’Adua does not seem to have any genuine agenda to move the nation forward. This view is buttressed by the fact that he is always telling Nigerians the withered plans Chief Obasanjo has for Nigeria instead of his plans for the nation. At every opportunity, as it case in Rivers State recently, he would implore Nigerians to support the economic policies of Chief Obasanjo’s administration. He noted that his administration would adopt the reform policies of the PDP that would transform Nigeria into an economic giant by the year 2020. This miraculous economic vision would, according to him, resolve the myriad problems confronting the people and he urged every Nigerian to embrace it. He also promised that he “will continue to provide the necessary critical infrastructure to move Nigeria from a modest developing nation to an industrialized nation” and transform the agricultural sector, oil and gas sector, the solid minerals sector as well as the service sector and create millions of employment for the unemployed youths.

The problem for Alhaji Yar’Adua is that he has an arduous task of defending the indefensibility. He does not seem to understand that Nigerians are tired of empty political promises and ineffective economic strategy (like the NEEDS) that has failed to solve any economic problem. Inflation, unemployment and poverty have gone up in spite of the lofty objectives of the NEEDS. Government properties are being sold to the loyalties of ruling party in the name of privatization. Where has Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua been all these years? How does believe that the 2020 economic plan will work when the present economic reform efforts have only succeeded in inflicting more suffering on Nigerians? How does he plan to transform Nigeria into an economic giant with erratic power supply and shortage of fuel? How many jobs has his party created in eight years? The ruling party has failed Nigeria in all fronts: it has failed to resolve the problems in the agricultural sector, oil industry, health care, education, national security, and social infrastructure. It has been breeding corruption instead of taming the menace! Instead of investing public money projects to solve the nation’s pressing problems Chief Obasanjo, as Otunba Fasawe noted recently during his PDTF testimony at the Senate, used billions of public money to fund his party’s 2003 election (ThisDay, March 20, 2007).

In an article “Oil giant that runs on grease of politics” (San Francisco Chronicle, March 11, 2007) Nigeria was described as a rich nation floating on oil wealth “but almost none of it flows to the people.” Many people have disappeared in Nigeria because of Chief Obasanjo’s war against humanity. According to the U.S. Department of State Reports on  Human Rights Practice (2005) released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on March 8, 2006, his administration’s human rights record is appalling. It is known for ‘abridging citizens' right to change their government; politically motivated and extrajudicial killings; use of excessive force; arbitrary arrest; interference in the judiciary; restrictions on freedom of speech, press, and assembly; and restrictions on workers' rights’, (Ibid.) among other violations. This burden is too much for poor and humble Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua! The world knows he is having difficulty running away from the economic and political mess his party and his political godfather has created in the society.

And Alhaji Yar’Adua, who has been masquerading as ‘presidential contender’ has some personal problems too. He has been described as a reluctant “presidential candidate” because he did not get into the race willingly. Nigerians don’t want another “reluctant” leader. His godfather was a reluctant contender, but now he does not quit! Transparent euphemism is not enough to win the election. His lack luster performance as Governor is serious problem. After eight in office the people of Katsina are hungry because he could not create employment; he could not reform the schools and maintain social infrastructures; and he could not equip the hospitals - not even one to take care of his personal health problems. He seems to be saying that achievements include paying salaries, entitlements, pensions, and paying contractors as at when due (Sunday Trust, March 18, 2007).

This writer gets irritated, if not infuriated, when Nigerian leaders list payment of salaries, pensions, and benefits as their achievement in office. Many of them don’t seem to understand that workers paychecks are not negotiable; they should get paid at the end of every month! If paying the workers is his only achievement for eight years he doesn’t have what it takes to lead Nigeria . More important, he does not appear strong and self-confident enough to rule Nigeria at this turbulent period. He is being coached, directed and eclipsed by Chief Obasanjo and Nigerians do no want to relive the Obasanjo era after the election. Surely they would like to have him off their system! Nigerians are tired of the “monkey trials” and indictment manufactured by his godfather and all the President’s friends!

Now, Nigerians are asking for a free, fair, and credible election -one whose outcome should be decided by the people. But the INEC that is working for his party is mounting roadblocks at every corner! Any person who thinks that 140 millions people are incapable of electing a leader of their choice (under a free and fair condition) should rethink! Nigerians need a different kind of politics - one that improves their living standards through wealth creation, employment opportunities, good security, and enough energy supply. They are tired of politics of intimidation, acrimonious politics and living in an unstable politico-economy where ‘oil flows’ but the masses can’t benefit from it.

Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua’s silence over the activities of the INEC posses some ethical problems: Does he believe in fairness, justice, and equity? Can he differentiate between right and wrong? Does he have he a good moral character? With the help of Chief Obasanjo Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua is misusing federal government resources. He has access to unlimited cash flow, Police and SSS protection, presidential jet and state propaganda machines, EFCC, and INEC. But other contenders do not have such privileges. In politics (particularly in true democracies) some privileges are burdens!

As noted earlier, Alhaji Yar’Adua privileges might not help him in the election. It is also expected that court rulings on the myriad law suits over the illegal disqualification of the opposition by the INEC will be in favor of the opposition. And then the nation’s political dynamics will begin to turn against him. Many of the anointed candidates may not be successful in the forthcoming elections if the coast is cleared for those who should battle them. And the ruling party and its boss are aware of that! Nigerians should resist the waves of fraudulent activities to disenfranchise the voters by sidelining them, even if it means knocking off some tooth of the political gods!

Victor E. Dike, CEO, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD) Sacramento, California, is the author of Democracy and Political Life in Nigeria (2nd edition), New York, Lincoln & Shanghai: iUniverse, Inc., Nov-2006.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Since the governor of Katsina ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 23.03.2007 23:00