IT has almost become a tradition that after 100 days in office of any elected leader, an evaluation of a sort is made. The Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, NDNF, Lagos views your first 100 days in office as a period of strategic planning for the actualisation of your “Transformation Agenda”. Therefore it is a period for consultation, engagement, selection and appointment.

A period for addressing and re-addressing critical national issues with a view to taking rational and informed decisions. This being the situation, we shall join well-meaning Nigerians to appraise your government only after one year in office (especially as it affects the Niger Delta region). However we wish to comment on the followings:

SECURITY: The challenges posed by bombings around the country and all other forms of security threats are developmental challenges. However, at the turn of one year in office, we shall make our score card available on that sphere of activities.

POWER AND ENERGY: One very important commodity Nigerians as a whole demand that should be delivered directly to their homes by your government without condition attached is electricity. Your planning, appointments and drive towards this direction is of keen interest to all Nigerians. However, by the end of one year in office, we shall painstakingly evaluate and appraise if there has been a marked difference between your one year and before it.

YOUR CABINET: We believe that you have chosen a crop of responsible Nigerians as confirmed by the Senate to form the Federal Executives Cabinet. We shall follow their activities very closely such that come May 29, 2012, we will be able to make public our sincere judgement and ratings on each of your Ministers, especially the Niger Delta indigenes in your cabinet.

YOUR ECONOMIC TEAM: The structure of your economic team looks impressive and promising. It is in the light of that, Nigerians are expecting signs and wonders. Therefore, one year should be adequate to see their input to output ratio in your government. We the ordinary people shall make our judgement at that time.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We can imagine that Mr. President is as concerned as any other Nigerian on the decay of our infrastructure. The whole of four years is not enough to completely fix our failing infrastructure. However, at the turn of one year in office we will be pleased to see that your concern has gone beyond the planning stage to actually coordinating some sectors of infrastructural building. We hope to make a statement on this in one year time.

CORRUPTION: Most Nigerians believe that Mr President is not corrupt, but at the end of his one year in office, Nigerians should also see that he does not condone it.

Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, recall you promised a fresh breath of air during the campaigns, the bombings around your constituency, “Nigeria” seems to be aimed at polluting this fresh air, enemies of this government may be clapping and dancing, nonetheless, you don’t need to carry a dagger but go with a swagger.

Happy 100 days in office!