President Yar’Adua’s Bid for 2011

There are rumours making the rounds about President Umaru Yar'Adua's bid for re-election in 2011. To justify re-election should not the incumbent be seen to have presided over some economic growth and improved developmental indices? Ever since Yar'Adua was foisted on Nigerians by the Obasanjo regime in 2007, the Yar'Adua led government has presided over the worst slow-down of government and a reversal of some the good deeds of the Obasanjo administration.

Nigeria's foreign debt is said to have begun a steady climb again after the debt forgiveness of 2005/2006 by the Paris and London Clubs negotiated by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then Minister of Finance in the Obasanjo administration. The crisis in the Niger Delta continues to escalate so much so that Nigeria lost an estimated 6 and 8 billion dollars in oil revenue in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The activities of these criminal gangs from the Niger Delta have spread to other cities in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where they have brazenly operated with impunity. The security situation is dire to say the least and the law enforcement and judiciary systems are up for sale to the highest bidder. Ex-governors and other politicians indicted for gross acts of graft walk free and act as the closest confidants to Yar'Adua and his cohort while stellar law enforcement agents of the ilk of Nuhu Ribadu and model ministers of the mould of El-Rufai are persecuted unduly.

Shame on those Nigerians who are seeking the return of such an ineffectual President as Yar'Adua. The man has not championed any policy or development since he assumed office in May 2007. He is the most lackluster and inept leader Nigeria has ever had. Even the evil Abacha championed some policies and development (PTF, BPE and failed banks tribunals to mention a few). It seems as if Yar'Adua is only in the news when he goes to Germany or the Middle East for a medical checkup or vacation. It is as if the man is on a perpetual vacation, while the country which he took an oath to govern is left to the dogs and hobbled by his gang of purloiners. In fact, it would probably be better off for Nigeria if the man took a permanent vacation today and not return to Aso Rock. Being so inept, he should resign and hand over to somebody more dynamic rather than seek a second term in 2011.