Nigeria: Just Go, Ali
Leadership (Abuja)
EDITORIAL
15 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Ahmadu Ali, a doctor and former PDP national chairman, has not refuted stories purporting that he is seeking a ministerial appointment after he has rejected his posting to South Africa as Nigeria's ambassador. It is said that he wanted to be posted to the UK or the US. Thirty years ago, this same Ali was the minister of education; it was then that Nigerian students demanded that "Ali must go". He later became a senator.
Many members of Ali's generation, it seems, cannot prosper outside of the public service. In 1977, Obasanjo and Ali told the youths that they were the leaders of tomorrow. Three decades later, they were still in power. Obasanjo, prodded by Ali and others, nearly installed himself as a life president.
Does the future still belong to the youths? Septuagenarian Ali has served his nation enough. He should take a bow and go. If he is still strong, his experience as a doctor will be needed more in hospitals. There are many well-educated and experienced young Nigerians who can work as ministers, ambassadors and board members of government companies.