If I Were President Thabo Mbeki

There are some things that only families can do. That was why Nigeria was in the fore-front of the liberation movement in Africa. From Angola to Mozambique, Zimbabwe to South Africa, Namibia to Lesotho, and elsewhere, we stood with our brethren and funded their just struggles for independence and self-determination. Now, Big Brother is floundering. Nigeria needs help. Urgently.

If I were President Thabo Mbeki, a distinguished alumnus of the Nigerian Flank/Post of the SA/ANC Liberation Representatives, and now a leading African statesman, I would intervene speedily in the spiralling political brohaha in the country. It is all about two of his friends - President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Subject matter, and crux of the matter? Obasanjo's seeming determination to elongate his tenure in office, which should expire next May, and their political party - PDP's determination to achieve it through a very unpopular crass manipulation of the constitution-amendment process. The PDP has insensitive and unbelievably brazen in its quest. Like most citizens, Atiku opposes. And like all potential candidates for president, he fearlessly disagrees with party and president on this dastardly bid.

The administration has become touchy, tempestuous and intolerant. Security agencies are now perceived as partisan attack dogs of the regime: against anyone and everyone who differ or dissent. The polity is heating up. Things are quite precarious. Even the fearless and independent Nigerian Press, which is veteran of democracy battles, is being pilloried by the pro-Third Term (as they are tagged) apologists. The National Assembly is polarised and under siege, while some thieving state governors seem to be spared investigation/prosecution so that they may help the party attain its tenure-elongation agenda. As I write, the national electoral commission is yet to commence any visible preparations for the 2007 elections! No law. No funds. Nigeria is at a very dangerous crossroads.

Courageously, some politicians have now declared their presidential ambitions. Good news. The worry, however, is that the Third Term bid hangs ominously over their campaigns and the nation's serenity, as well as our deserved march on the path of democracy and good governance. With its history of political in-fighting, violence and vulcanic tendencies, the PDP poses grave tension as things stand. This tension is palpable. All of which can be dispelled, instanta, by only one man: Olusegun Obasanjo! We must now help him to help us.

If I were President Mbeki, I will enlist Former President (Papa) Nelson Mandela, Retired Archbishop (Papa) Desmond Tutu, Former President (Papa) Kenneth Kaunda, Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Former Chancellor Willy Brandt, Former Commonwealth Sec-Gen (Papa) Emeka Anyaoku, Former World Court Judge (Papa) Bola Ajibola and UN Sec-Gen Kofi Annan to persuade and prevail upon Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to please WITHDRAW his interest and involvement in the Third Term project, and free the political cum electoral space, NOW.

As one African Family, the Mbeki/Mandela factor should help. The pressure should come from a cast of distinguished elderstatesmen, led by a sitting president with a shining armour in the subject matter. So, if I were Thabo Mbeki, I won't wait one more second. I will ACT right away:
the untainted, traditional African way. Today!