Nigeria is no stranger to Big Men. In that country they usually come from the military, are fond of coups, and do not relinquish power easily. So while it might be disquieting to hear that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to manipulate his country's power structure in last week's People's Democratic Party convention, held in Abuja, it is surely reassuring to find out that the current President, Umaru Yar’Adua, would have none of it. Given that many feared that Yar’Adua was too closely tied to Obasanjo when he came to office, the President's willingness to deny his predecessor to impose his will (and foist his chosen chosen candidate for party chairmanship) should dispel concerns that his independence is compromised.
