Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yaradua's November 23 departure for medical check-up abroad has understandably elicited widespread comments from the media and Nigerians generally. In every practising democracy, the health of the head of state is a legitimate area for such public debate.

Yaradua's departure was preceded by a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, to the effect that the president would consult with his personal physicians while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for "follow-up medical checks". The follow-up was reference to several previous trips to the Kingdom on similar mission. The doctors have since diagnosed Yar'adua's condition as acute pericarditis, affecting the outer layer of the heart. Nothing was however said about what is believed to be the President's long standing kidney ailment.

More than previous medical trips of the president abroad, this current one has generated more controversy, with many political opponents and other Nigerians latching on to his health condition to call for his resignation.

They are claiming that he is incapable of exercising the authority that his office demands. Some have sought the invocation of Section 144 of the Constitution, which addresses the question of incapacity, to achieve that aim. There have also been speculations that some group of Nigerians may be even trying to force the resignation of the Vice President in order to enable the Senate President to act as president for three months so that fresh presidential elections are held.

No one doubts the seriousness that we face as a nation today with regards to the perceived state of health of the president. But in discussing what to do in the circumstances, we must set aside sentiments and be mindful not to inflame passion. Public discourse on the issue should be characterized by restraint and sober reflection. Ill-health is a natural phenomenon; it afflicts all mortals. Playing politics because the president happens to be in ill-heath does not speak well of those who now try to do so.

However, we are concerned with the management of the information regarding the president's condition. Apart from the initial information about his ailment provided by his physician, there has been no follow up bulletins on his condition. This has given rise to all sorts of rumours including the recurring one that the president has passed on.

We believe that if the medical experts were allowed to provide a true picture of what is going on with the health of the president, the apparent confusion and uncertainty would not have arisen. Because of the lack of reliable information about the true state of the President's health, matters have reached a point where a group of fifty five prominent politicians and activists have called for Yaradua's resignation and the swearing-in of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as replacement.

On the other hand, the Federal Executive Council, which is constitutionally empowered to decide if indeed the President is incapable of carrying out his duties, has determined at its meeting on Wednesday that Yaradua was fit enough to continue to rule. We assume that its members have access to the president's health record and progress in the Saudi hospital to reach that judgment. What is needed is for them to begin to share this information with other Nigerians who are equally concerned about the wellbeing of their President. It is ironic that more information seemed to have been provided on the radiculopathy which led to the hospitalisation of military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1987 than Nigerians are now getting on a civilian President.

Being away for a length of time, even on health grounds, cannot, in our view, be construed to mean that the president cannot perform the functions of his office. Ronald Reagan survived the assassin's bullet when he was president of the United States, and stayed away from state duties for some time. The difference with our case is that bulletins about his situation were being provided at least twice a day, thereby eliminating any kind of destructive rumour gaining ground. Government officials should learn lessons from the unfolding scenario, that withholding information, or trying to micro-manage it to suit their purpose can be dangerous, and can backfire badly. It leads to all sorts of speculation and rumours and, ultimately, confusion. Daily Trust believes that in the circumstances that we find ourselves, the supreme law of the land, the constitution should be our guide. We therefore condemn any attempt to short circuit the constitution in order to achieve any selfish or narrow aim. While praying for President Yar'adua to speedily recover from his current health challenges and fully resume his duties, we also urge that in the event he decides to leave office on account of his health, the Nigerian constitution should be supreme.