7 September 2008
Lagos — Forty-eight hours after he returned back home from Saudi Arabia where he had spent 17 days performing the lesser hajj and also attending to his health, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is expected to resume work at his desk tomorrow, THISDAY checks have revealed.
Although, THISDAY could not gain access to a copy of the official manifest of the President's engagements for the week, our source, however, said Yar'Adua will, in the course of the week, decorate the newly promoted Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike and the three other service chiefs whose promotions he had announced on August 20, the very day he travelled out of the country for the lesser hajj.
He is also expected to make official pronouncement on the state of his health during the week, a development many believe will put paid to the series of speculations on the matter.
But in what looks like the expectations of Nigerians in the aftermath of the President's return yesterday, prominent Nigerians across different walks of life and political affiliations urged the government to take urgent steps to focus on the task of developing the country which the administration has chosen for itself.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, in a message by his Senior Media Adviser, Mr. Moses Jolayemi said "I am happy that he returned home hale and hearty and that has ended weeks of wild rumours and spurious speculations. I'll urge everybody, irrespective of our political affiliations, cultural or ethnic differences to pray for the continued good health of the President".
Lagos lawyer, Professor Itsay Sagay (SAN) in his reaction, said he expects that since a lot of things were delayed in the absence of the President, he should therefore "get back to his desk". According to him, "too much time has been lost, yet we have too many problems - It appears the Vice President was not well positioned to handle things in his absence."
Another lawyer, Dr. Eyimofe Atake (SAN) said since he has not seen any medical report on the state of the President's health, more so that the man (Yar'Adua) has not also confirmed officially, what his present state of health is; it would therefore amount to sheer speculation to comment on the president's trip to Saudi Arabia which some said has to do with the need to seek urgent medical attention.
Atake who reacted from Miami Florida, USA said: "I believe it is appropriate that official statement be made sooner rather than later. Having regard to the eminence of the office of the President's holds".
Also speaking on the issue, Nigeria's High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro said "we thank God he is back and alive. Those who were thinking otherwise have been shamed. We pray God to strengthen him and give him long life."
Notwithstanding his return, Senator Ganiyu Solomon (representing Lagos West) said "Apart from the fact that our prayers and good wishes will go a long way; at least, for those of us who believe in prayers, we should know what is happening. Expectation is not the issue now. We cannot continue to speculate as to his state of health. We are no longer in the cave age. It's their duty to us because he is our President. We should know what's going on."
Chief Tony Anenih, former chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) chided those calling for the President's resignation and described them as rascals. "What is being emphasised is that matters connected with the ailment of Presidents, Heads of State, Kings and such other leaders, are always of a sensitive nature and should, therefore, be handled with the greatest caution and with human feelings.
"What one expects of Nigerians older than Yar'Adua, especially very elderly ones, is to perceive him as a son and pray for his quick recovery. Younger ones should also wish him the same. Instead, the clamour by some of them is on how to replace the President, demonstrating an obvious lack of patriotism."
Another former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe said the President must first take a long rest, perhaps, for a month. "He can thereafter work very well with the National Assembly to move the nation forward. He should give assignments to people and let the VP, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan co-ordinate presidential activities."
Barrister Bamidele Aturu, a Lagos-based lawyer, also asked the President and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to level up with Nigerians about his health. "As I have said elsewhere, the President of Nigeria wields enormous responsibility on security and welfare of Nigeria. So, when he is sick, Nigeria is unfortunately sick. If we know his state of health, those of us who believe in prayers will continue to pray for him and medical experts among us can determine whether or not he is truly sick and can continue to discharge his onerous task."
National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Lai Muhammed, while wishing the President speedy recovery said the opposition did not have problems with Yar'Adua's health, but the way the information on the issue was handled.
"Our grouse was the way the information was managed and so bad at a time that we did not know where he was and what was wrong with him. We think Nigerians have a right to know his status. We are worried that the information managers have not learnt from past experiences. The health of the President is not an exclusive preserve of a few cabinet members."
Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) stated in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Ikechukwu "thanks God for his return- safe and sound. We thank God for his guidance over his health. Next time he is going on medical treatment overseas, he should tell Nigerians."
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), also through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emma Eneukwu said: "We thank God for his safe arrival amidst rumours of his ill-health. He should get into business. Much is expected of him. The national economy was almost grounded due to his absence."
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the President's party said it was a good thing that Yar'Adua returned in a sound health contrary to insinuations.
By Olawale Olaleye in Lagos, Chucks Okocha, Sufuyan Ojeifo and Juliana Taiwo in Abuja
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