Words of warning for Obasanjo

This week's inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo for a second term generated much comment in Nigeria's press.

But as Nigerians and foreign dignitaries flocked to join the festivities in Abuja, not everyone was in party mood.

The Abuja-based Daily Trust reported youths using the swearing-in ceremony of the governor of Kano, a northern opposition stronghold, to voice their criticism of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

"Obasanjo must go" and "Only Buhari can save Nigeria" said placards as demonstrators chanted support for Mr Obasanjo's main opposition rival, at the ceremony in the Sani Abacha Stadium.

This Day reported remarks from the opposition Conference of Nigeria Political Parties which called Mr Obasanjo's inauguration "a celebration of fraud, brigandage and shame".

Time to deliver

The Lagos-based Vanguard acknowledged Mr Obasanjo's "controversial mandate" to govern Nigeria, but looked ahead to the "daunting challenges" that face him.

[President Obasanjo] should apply 'good governance' through political and economic reform

Vanguard

The paper expressed hope he will use this term in office to push through badly needed reforms. It viewed the current political structure as a "big hunchback weighing down heavily on the country" and urged Mr Obasanjo to streamline his "over-bloated cabinet"

Mr Obasanjo's previous term, according to the paper, was overshadowed by "whimsical globe-trotting" to "polish up" Nigeria's international image and attract foreign investment. This strategy was "basically unsound" and the best approach would be to apply "good governance" through political and economic reform.

An editorial in This Day recalled that Mr Obasanjo raised expectations in his first inaugural speech in 1999.

This is one of the most interesting times in Nigeria's history

Daily Independent

"So far, Nigerians are yet to be told where the president wants to take this country and the road map for the journey," the paper said.

But the Daily Independent took an optimistic view and was upbeat about the readiness of Nigerians to determine their future.

"This is one of the most interesting times in Nigeria's history and no-one will like to forget in a hurry," said one commentary, adding that unfolding events showed that "Nigerians are awake for democracy."

The Weekly Trust, based in the northern city of Kaduna, continued the theme of reform. After the "fireworks, spectacular marches and paraphernalia of ceremonies" it advised Mr Obasanjo to concentrate on delivering on "two or three governance issues" and warned the government against "spreading itself thin" by trying to solve everything.

It also hoped Mr Obasanjo can deliver what he failed to do in the past.

Outsider's view

Several other African papers offered their perspective on events in Nigeria.

That Nigeria has neither broken up nor returned to military rule is due in no small measure to the steady hand of Obasanjo

Business Day

Uganda's New Vision, like some Nigerian papers, believed Mr Obasanjo's standing has been marred by allegations of corruption and vote rigging.

"The pomp and pageantry of the occasion cannot detract from the fact that the 'mandate' suffers credibility deficit both locally and internationally".

This government should be "less triumphalist" and concentrate on running a responsible government by delivering on what it terms the "bread and butter issues - security, law and order, basic infrastructure and genuine peace for Nigeria.

But South Africa's Business Day had some praise for Mr Obasanjo.

"That Nigeria has neither broken up nor returned to military rule is due in no small measure to the steady hand of Obasanjo, whose strength has been his ability to dole out an equitable share of the national cake of senior government appointments and contracts to the different regions."

It argues that Obasanjo was always the favourite to win the presidential elections "despite the brazen vote rigging".

And the paper holds out hope for Nigeria to overcome their difficulties

"Despite its endless agonies and suffering, Nigeria brims with energy and a sense of enterprise. The potential never seems far from the surface."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.