Reorganization continues (part 3)
Is Yar'Adua claiming real power after over a year in office?Nigerian president tightens his grip after ill-health rumours
"Umaru Yar'Adua, Nigeria's president, has sought to strengthen his grip on power by shaking up government ministries after a health scare triggered frantic speculation over whether he was too sick to survive in office...
"Mr Yar'Adua has attracted growing criticism for the slow pace of reforms, and has moved slowly to overturn a legacy of appointments by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, a domineering ex-general who engineered his succession at elections in May last year.
"But Nigerian commentators say the shake-up would allow Mr Yar'Adua to deliver a long-awaited reshuffle to replace Obasanjo loyalists in his cabinet. The reforms include creating separate ministries for petroleum, power and police...
"Mr Yar'Adua's quest to assert his authority in a country of 140m people and some of Africa's most Machiavellian politicians is being closely watched by investors seeking a stake in Nigeria's energy reserves, banks and telecoms market..."
ANALYSIS-Nigerian reform on hold despite Yar'Adua's changes
"Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua's strengthening grip on power is still unlikely to mean a revival of economic reforms that have stagnated since he took office 16 months ago.
"Yar'Adua, known by his critics as 'Baba Go-Slow,' has imposed a major shake-up in Africa's most populous nation in recent weeks -- replacing military chiefs, restructuring key ministries and preparing for a possible cabinet reshuffle.
The sweeping changes come amid growing frustration, from both Nigerians and foreign investors, over chronic power problems, poor infrastructure, and persistent violence in the oil-producing Niger Delta. 'Yar'Adua is known as a do-nothing man. I don't think these changes will achieve anything,' said Bismarck Rewane, chief executive of Financial Derivatives, a Lagos-based consultancy...
"Concerns have also arisen over the seriousness of Yar'Adua's pledged fight against corruption after the sacking and demotion of the top police officer who had led it and had won respect at home and abroad...
"'The key in Nigeria is individuals as much as institutions. You can have a good structure, but without the right people it isn't going anywhere,' said Antony Goldman, an analyst at London-based risk consultancy PM consulting..."
Labels: change, Nigeria, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:24 AM
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