Date Published: 07/30/09

Dear Editor,

Pres. Yar'Adua should give himself a break

Whenever I take a look at our President, I feel for him. I feel for him because this is a man who is no fully in good health and all these problems are coming to him – Militants in Niger Delta; Islamic extremists in the North; Workers strikes here and there; South-south governments and people against his Rilwani Lukman; poke-nosing into Lagos State Fashola’s LCDAs; etc.

It is a fact that the President attracted some of this to himself. Take for instance the outrage that followed JTF’s bombardment of some communities in Niger Delta region. Look at the how (himself, his deputy and his education Minister being once University lecturers) allowed the preventable ASUU strike. When the Talibans started their escapade, it was from the domain of his son-in-law Isa Yuguda and instead of nipping it in the bud, it was allowed to escalate alarmingly in all parts of the north.

I am not a politician but if all these are on ground and the President still finds it necessary to be junketing receiving decamping politicians to his Party, trying to make the nation a one-party state, then he needs to search his mind and take stock of whether he could continue to lead this country. Many believe that we have leadership that is groping in darkness: While the nation boils the President has just jetted out for a 3-day visit to Brazil; Barrack Obama preferred to visit Ghana instead of Nigeria that is fast losing its leadership role in Africa; Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, the External Affairs Minister had informed audience at Ohakim’s book launch that Barrack Obama patted him at the back after he introduced himself at a forum overseas and promised to visit Nigeria soon. Could Ojo confirm that the consolatory visit by Hilary Clinton scheduled for August is the visit Obama promised him?

          Obong Steve Udeme

          Bende Street, Umuahia,

          Abia State.