Nigeria, a country that is recognized to be the most populous black nation in the world has been identified as a country with political instability. The Nigerian political elite with self interest have been holding the country to stagnation. It is no longer a secret that Nigeria is merely a geographical expression of a nation that is judging towards a political mess, which may increase the citizens’ poverty level. The country has been enveloped in the hands of few since independence in 1960. The most recent and continued crises in the country is President Yar’Adua’s refusal to hand over to his Deputy due to health reasons. Since November 2009, the elected President has not been seen in Public places, yet, the party and the law makers of the Federation have not been able to impeach him or defined everlasting solution to the problem.
It is pathetic that the Nigerian politicians have a parochial attitude towards the progress of the country. The worse of it all is that, till date, the Acting President, House of Senate, House of Representative and even the media knew nothing about the state of the invisible President. On the 24th of February 2010, there was spread information that the sick President was smuggled into the country in the early hours after 93 days in Saudi Arabia. His invisible appearance resulted to another precarious or despicable and overawe situation in the country.
The secrecy and manner at which the President was smuggled out of Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment and the invisible return have further confirmed that Mr. Yar’Adua is incapable to continue leading the country. What does Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) take Nigeria for? How can the PDP explain this attitude to the people of Nigeria? In a more realistic overview, PDP has completely disappointed Nigerians and has also failed woefully in their leadership roles.
Besides, the dead silence on the part of Mr. Yar’Adua and his failure to transfer power to his deputy has revealed how devilish and self centred leaders Nigeria has been breeding since independence. The 2007 elected President hoodwinked Nigerians with a political bravado that he was going to stand and defend the citizens’ interest. Today, the citizens’ interest has oppositely been defended. How myopic and morally bankrupt some of the Nigerian politicians are? In this regards, we have recognised Nigeria as a country where creativity, honesty, trust and genuine leaders do not exist. All that exist in this country is corruption, nepotism and power struggle.
All attempts to debate on the strategy on the sick President impeachment have fallen in vain despite the dogged efforts of eminent Nigerians, concerned Nigerians and Nigerian activists around world. The obstacles to the unsuccessful of this move were caused by the President’s minders, Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF), National Assembly, leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Governors Forum. Why must the so called politicians place the country in a total confusion? There has been utter disorderliness of Nigeria as a result of few people. The citizens have been humiliated by their deceit and denied the approach to issue of national interest. All attempt and suggestions put forward by the eminent Nigerians for the President to resign on health ground seem to have fallen on deaf ears. It all points to the popular saying that it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Maybe, it is time for Nigeria to share their cakes which is believed to be the ultimate solution to the fallen nation. Nigeria is not portraying herself as a serious nation to the world; this is disgraceful, inglorious or opprobrious and it is an insult to the entire Africa.
How can a country of political instability attract foreign investors with this kind of profile? It is unknown whether Mr. Yar’Adua is in the state of coma or not. Since he has not be heard from for over four months, it may be possible that he is currently in the state of coma, therefore, his decision to resign or not cannot be obtained from him directly as he may not be in position to speak. In order to move the country forward, the law of the nation (constitution) should be used to decide his case. Using this document is when the citizens call for it. In several occasions, the citizens of Nigeria have called for the President resignation, but the aforementioned bodies and self interest politicians have been the impediment to the success of better future to the fallen nation - Nigeria.
In addition, it is imperative for the President allies to note that ASO Rock (Presidential Villa) is not a rehabilitation centre; Mr. Yar’Adua should be taken to his home for rehabilitation in order to give room for a way forward for the country's advancement and development.
Nigerians do not need a soothsayer to tell them that the sick President is incapable of running the country before the so called famous section 144 and 145 of the 1999 constitution should be invoked. The only body currently empowered to activate this section is the Executive Council of the Federation and they are expected to act now.
It is absolutely imperative to inform the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that they are not to decide who to lead the country. Any citizen has the right to participate in and contest an election. All that is expected from the political parties in Nigeria is to implement open door policy for any interested Nigeria citizen to defend the parties' objectives through his or her candidacy. This will enable the citizens to choose their true leaders. In addition, this can only be possible through free and fair elections. In order to have free and fair election in Nigeria, we recommend in this text that there should be an immediate electoral reform to give rooms for the true citizen’s leadership roles.