Yar'Adua is PDP candidate for President of Nigeria
With strong support from current President Olusegun Obasanjo, Katsina state Governor Umaru Yar'Adua won the primary for presidential candidate of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. The PDP strength has been weakened considerably, however, by disagreements between President Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in the formation of the party. Mr. Abubakar was recently suspended amid allegations of corruption which he denies.
The two main opposition parties, the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC), have formed an alliance but have yet to unite behind a single presidential candidate. Professor Pat Utomi, the candidate of the African Development Council (ADC), appears to me to have the best plan that will push Nigeria forward into the 21st century as a leader of his people and of all peoples on the African continent.
With strong support from current President Olusegun Obasanjo, Katsina state Governor Umaru Yar'Adua won the primary for presidential candidate of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. The PDP strength has been weakened considerably, however, by disagreements between President Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in the formation of the party. Mr. Abubakar was recently suspended amid allegations of corruption which he denies.
The two main opposition parties, the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC), have formed an alliance but have yet to unite behind a single presidential candidate. Professor Pat Utomi, the candidate of the African Development Council (ADC), appears to me to have the best plan that will push Nigeria forward into the 21st century as a leader of his people and of all peoples on the African continent.
Yar'Adua announces Jonathan as running mate
Doing little to settle suspicions that he may be serving as a puppet of Obasanjo after the latter has served out the last term allowed under the Nigerian constitution, Yar'Adua chose Goodluck Jonathan as his running mate. Jonathan, governor of Bayelsa state, has been implicated in at least one scandal involving his wife's money laundering ventures. However, I myself am impressed with his educational credentials, including a Ph.D in zoology and career in environmental impact assessment. As a foreign national without much familiarity with the levels of corruption and inaccuracies of press coverage in Nigeria, I must suspend judgment and hope that Nigerians will choose wisely in their coming national election.
posted by Don Thieme @ 4:36 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I agree with you on Utomi...however, his chances are slim.
It is not possible to assess a national candidate purely on the basis of policy. There is also the matter of connections and relationships, particularly where state governors and tribal factions have as much power as they do in Nigeria. It seems like the PDP slate is a good balance in that respect, although the accusations of corruption and improper influence by Obasanjo may haunt their candidacy.
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