Institutionalized, not personalized government in Nigeria
Alex Last, writing for the BBC, assesses President Yar'Adua's first 6 months in office.Nigeria leader ends honeymoon period
"Six months ago, on a sweltering parade ground in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, Umaru Yar'Adua was sworn in as the president of Africa's most populous nation - the first time one civilian leader had taken over from another.
"A quiet Muslim governor from a wealthy northern Nigerian political dynasty, Mr Yar'Adua was a relative unknown until he was picked by boisterous, autocratic President Olusegun Obasanjo to be his chosen successor.
"But as he was being unveiled to the public in the run-up to the election, he clearly wanted to be seen as a different kind of Nigerian leader.
"'For the ruling elite in Nigeria, I am sorry to say, the conception seems to be that those in positions of authority and leadership tend to be privileged and even consider themselves above the law,' he told me on the election campaign trail...
"[T]he public mantra of this presidency has been the rule of law, the constitutional separation of powers, and non-interference.
"Nigeria is a country used to interfering leaders.
"Yet Mr Yar'Adua has let the election tribunal overturn other key results and has rescinded controversial privatisations made in the dying days of Mr Obasanjo's administration...
"Critics say the problem with this policy of non-interference - this hands-off approach to government and ultimate faith in the rule of law - is that it only works if institutions are capable of running affairs for themselves.
"The concern is that in Nigeria, after decades of autocratic leaders, abuse and corruption, the institutions are just too weak...
"Despite the good image, many of Nigeria's huge basic problems are still unresolved.
"For much of the time, the commercial capital, Lagos, resonates to the hum of generators because there is an acute shortage of electricity...
"'I believe if you give him time, he will do well,' one businessman said.
"'And if he can improve on our light, he will become the people's president.'..."
Labels: leadership, Nigeria, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 5:44 AM
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