Date Published: 06/02/09

Dear Sir,

Obasanjo'a comments: Expect similar from Yar'Adua

        We have read how our former President, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, explained away his tenure as the executive head of Nigeria for eight years; he would have gone for a third term and probably for life thereafter but for the overwhelming forces against him.

        Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has made it clear in press statements recently that he was not elected to provide infrastructures - roads, water, electricity power, etc. According to his utterances, he was elected (drafted) to provide stability to the country that was fast drifting to anarchy, according to him. He boasted that he carried out the job successfully and meritoriously. He decided not to attend the last PDP national convention; a gathering where far-reaching decisions are normally taken by the ruling party. What else does anyone expect from the retired general hence his actions and inactions went unchallenged?

        President Umaru Yar’Adua has just started towards the same path and at the end of his tenure do not be surprised if he makes his own utterances.  Some of such would be that he never begged to be President, substantiating the fact that he was ‘drafted’ against his wish. He would have been alright if he went back to lecture rooms where he would have been having enough rest and not aggravate his bad health; he would not forget to add that, but for the spoils of office and insistence of his wife, he wanted a second term.

        Can someone tell me how a President that prepared and presently his budget to the nation through the National Assembly could turn round now and tell the nation that he cannot work with the same submission? His last year’s budget was not 60% executed as well. We shall watch how far this debate goes.

Patrick Umoette,

185 Awolowo Way,

Ikeja, Lagos State