Abuja — Barely 24 hours after the North-West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described those asking President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua to resign on account of his ill health as mischief makers hell bent on causing confusion with the sole intention of dragging the integrity of the Federal Government to disrepute, the Northern Union led by Dr. Olusola Saraki yesterday joined the debate over succession should President Umaru Yar'Adua resign from office
It warned that the stability of Nigeria as a nation is hinged on power rotation between the North and the South.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Chief Patrick Adaba, it warned that much as it believes that constitutionalism is without prejudice to the survival of Nigeria, "however, we believe equally that certain peculiarities of any nation also play a vital role in bringing about amity and peaceful coexistence among the peoples of that nation."
According to the Northern Union , "It should be understood by those who love this country that one of such peculiarities upon which the unity and stability of our country is hinged is power rotation between the North and the South."
"This is an extra constitutional arrangement to deal with Nigeria's peculiarities of pluralism, a practice which is not peculiar to Nigeria," the statement said.
The Northern Union also said that it has noted with dismay what it called "the irresponsible calls to arms by some ethnic jingoists, irredentist and saboteurs as a solution to the current problem", stating further, "While do not lack the capacity to ethnicize the problem, as is being promoted in some quarters, we think that the situation at hand is one that calls for sobriety."
It urged those beating the drums of wars to remember that "the wounds of the 1966 civil war are still fresh in our mind and for a long time remained a sour point in our national psyche. We must do all within us to avoid a repeat of that experience."
On the health condition of President Yar'Adua, the Northern Union condemned the call for his resignation, describing such calls as "unnecessary and views such calls as hasty and inimical to peace, unity and continued stability of our country."
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What is wrong with the so called leaders of this country? While I do agree that it is premature to ask for the resignation of the president,it would also be irresponsible not to consider the possibility of his death. You have the president of Nigeria who goes to a foreign country for medical treatment and the so called leaders do not see the security implications of that situation. Have they considered the possibility that he could be drugged and ( even under anaesthesia for surgery)and under the effects of such drugs be asked questions which impact the national security of Nigeria. How would the country be able to monitor and control such situations? Those are the issues to worry about,that the country does not have a treatment facility in the country staffed by qualified nigerian medical professionals who will attend to the president and if needed ,a specialist can be brought in to supplement that care.At least,Nigeria and nigerian security would be in charege of his care.Which other country entrusts the care of their president to a foreign country and hospital in a foreign country which they do not have any control over. The issue of succession has been dealt with in the constitution.What is the point and rationale in having a vice president if he can not take over from the president if circumstances call for it? The constitution is the instrument of the government and people of Nigeria(by which they live) and should be obeyed and followed rather than asking for extra -constitutional solutions. The country either agrees to live by the constitution or come out against it. This is the sort of nonsense that leaders waste resources and time on. Heaven help Nigeria.
What is this debate about? why are people wasting time? i once suggested that Yar'Adua should develop the Niger-Delta even if it leads to clamour for development elsewhere in Nigeria. It's the right of the people and the environment to be developed. Nigeria has the resources! Yar' Adua's Nigeria has what it takes to construct one of the best eqipped hospitals in the world.You see, we don't attend to the needs of our country! The health of our President is one of the biggest problem in the presidency yet not even one adviser mentioned it to the president,even if he himself had not thought of it seriously. Nigeria has a CONSTITUTION. Neither the call for the President to resign nor the callers point to a wrong direction. An ill President is a liability.Yar'Adua should be considered as such and good care taking of him. It's better to concentrate on moving the country forward with a better life even for the Yar'Adua, who should be considering becoming an ex-president. I strongly believe that Yar'Adua should live his life in peace without the intricacies associated with the office of the President of Nigeria.Those who don't want him to resign don't love him at all. And if there are those presurising the Vice-president to resign, then those people don't love Nigeria. I'm sure Yar'Adua himself will put Nigeria first and if he does maybe it would be Goodluck to Nigeria for onward movement on the ladder of progress.