Many governors of the states in the north want to be President in 2011.It is especially true with those in the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP. You can rest assured that many of the northern states’ governors will not be happy with this issue I am broaching.Many will be even more upset if I mention their names.They all like to keep this issue very close to their chests.At best they prefer a situation where their allies will discuss it and even strategize discreetly without  linking them to  any of such plots.In the elaborate game of deception now bordering on a distancing game, these governors in the PDP are strangely  among the most vociferous campaigners for President Umaru Yar’Adua to continue in office beyond 2011.They tell us Yar’Adua is the best thing ever to happen to Nigeria.But we know it is a big lie.

Contrary to the big lie, we have heard reports of  such governors angling to succeed Yar’Adua.But in line with the curious kind of politics within the PDP none of them is bold enough to declare their intention openly  yet.Actually  it is not really the party they are afraid of . I understand it is the negative ,hostile and probably repressive reaction from Yar’Adua and his foot soldiers that these governors are scared of.But the big question is what kind of democracy are we practising?Why can’t aspirants who feel they have better qualities to serve the nation feel free to say so without the  fear of being hounded .

Some of the northern governors  mentioned include one of YarAdua’s in-laws.There is another second term governor in the far north who is actually known to have done well and he may be eminently qualified but he is scared stiff now.There are two other governors from the north central zone noted to be highly plotting for Aso Rock also.And there is another one in yet another far northern state who is said to be in the Black Books of the presidency already because of his speculated  ambition. Aside from serving governors, reports have of late openly indicated that Senator Adamu Aliero, the minister of the federal capital territory is eyeing the 2011 presidency.Aliero is also of the PDP. Also within the PDP, the Ibrahim B. Babanigida ,IBB factor remains constant like the  Northern Star.He has even gone to the extent of openly declaring that he may not contest for any political office again.But media reports continue to link IBB with subterranean moves aimed at clinching the coveted seat in Aso Rock.Perhaps just like the PDP governors too, IBB has chosen to wear the toga of deception as the best strategy for avoiding the fangs of  a vicious Yar’Adua Presidency.

It is apparent to me that some of these aspirants are taking a cue from the experiences former Vice -President Atiku Abubakar and  their former colleagues had under the Olusegun Obasanjo regime where those with presidential or vice presidential ambitions were decimated.Though we were told that  former Governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha of Bayelsa state was removed for alleged corruption , the man has told his story several times over claiming that his problem with Obasanjo emerged from sheer political differences.Alams as he is called ,had been earlier  tipped to become  Atiku Abubakar’s  running mate within the PDP in 2007 but Obasanjo who had his third term plot in mind would have none of that.The rest is history now.

It is very clear to all now that YarAdua is  as vicious as Obasanjo.Perhaps some will say more so.Aside from his regime seemingly giving protection to questionable ex governors, he has gone ahead to disgrace Nuhu Ribadu out of office .The former Anti graft czar is  facing trial at the Code of Conduct Bureau.Also Nasir elrufai, former FCT minister has been having a raw deal with the Yar’Adua regime .A probe into his days as FCT minister was conducted by the Senate.The ex minister says the probe was done at the behest of the presidency .El Ruafi was indicted by the senate report .He is now being sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC which has threatened to extradite him.El rufai’s travails got to a head recently with the attempt to deny him citizenship by the Nigerian High Commission in the U.K.Those who had doubts about the involvement of the Yar’Adua regime in the entire saga were shocked when official documents emerged from Abuja containing instructions urging embassies and High Commissions not to grant audience to Ribadu and Elrufai.Of course, scapegoats were made of some officials in Abuja after which El Rufai was able to renew his international passport. But it is clear that this is a regime that is very much averse to criticisms and opposition like el Rufai and Ribadu have done.The reported letter asking General Muhammadu  Buhari to return a ten year old car given to him by the  Sani Abacha regime has reinforced the fact that  like Obasanjo, YarAdua does not brook any opposition at all.I have no doubt that the ambitous PDP governors are playing safe to avoid the wrath of Yar’Adua who has the EFCC at his beck and call.Obasanjo did it to the chagrin of all.

But all this cannot be a justifiable reason for PDP governors who want to be president to keep quiet and agonise behind the scenes.PDP should encourage such men to declare their ambitions openly.The fact that you are the incumbent should not automatically guarantee you another term in office,especially if there are better candidates.

Power like sovereignty should truly belong to the people.If El Rufai and Ribadu walk the streets of Lagos  Abuja, Kano or Kaduna   today, they may receive very thunderous receptions from the people because by their performance in office, we all know them .Of all, not everyone will agree with them.But they gave this nation their best .If you think you are capable of providing better leadership than what we have now, the best thing is to come out and start campaigning.People are not impressed by the PDP’s tradition of suffocating genuine aspirants out of the race for political offices.It is reassuring that though PDP governor are ‘hiding their faces’,Ibrahim Shekarau, their ANPP colleague and his agents  are speaking freely about his  intention.You may not agree with Shekarau as well  but you cannot  deny him his democratic right to campaign for a higher office.The PDP should reform itself so that anyone  from within its rank can openly campaign against the incumbent.It is the party’s failure to democratize internally that  at the heart of the crisis rocking the party and the country now.It is also my view that the governors are afraid of declaring their ambitions openly in order not to antagonize YarAdua ,who in spite  his sickly mien is believed to be interested in a second term in office.