Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office as acting president yesterday, following a National Assembly resolution asking him to take charge pending the return of President Umaru Yar'adua from medical trip to Saudi Arabia.
"The circumstances in which I find myself assuming office today as Acting President of our country are uncommon, sober and reflective," Jonathan said in an address on national television, urging Nigerians to pray for Yar'adua's recovery and return.
He said the leadership and members of the National Assembly have shown "great courage, statesmanship and patriotism" by empowering him through their resolutions.
While acknowledging that the absence of Yar'adua, who left for Saudi Arabia on medical trip 79 days ago, has heated up the polity, Jonathan said "the events of the recent past have put to the test our collective resolve as a democratic nation."
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According to him, "today affords us time to reconnect with ourselves and overcome any suspicions, hurts and doubts, which had occurred. In all these, there are no winners and no losers, because by the grace of God we have once again succeeded in moving our country forward. We have all shown that our unity as a people, our love for this country, and our hope for its great future cannot be shaken."
He commended the nation's military for not disrupting the current democratic dispensation "during this trying period."
"Our security services also deserve our special commendation for their loyalty and devotion to duty during this trying period," he said.
The Acting President said the Federal Government would take necessary steps to consolidate the gains of amnesty in the Niger Delta region and execute the promised post-amnesty programmes.
He therefore appealed to all stakeholders in the region to be patient, saying "there can be no meaningful development without peace and security."
He said government would find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in Plateau State, saying culprits in the recent killings would face the full weight of the law.
Lack of formal transfer of power had led to doubts over who was ruling the country, and prompted arguments about whether there was need to made Jonathan acting president.
Although the Federal Executive Council has previously opposed any formal transfer of powers, Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa yesterday said Jonathan had the government's full support--suggesting that the council would not obstruct him from acting as president, Reuters news agency reported.
"The cabinet has already, since the president left, recognised the vice president as the leader of the country pending when Mr. President returns," Reuters quoted Aondoakaa as saying, in reacting to the vice president's declaration.
Yar'adua, 58, has been receiving treatment for a heart ailment in a Saudi hospital. His aides had at different times said he was recovering and would soon return to Nigeria.
Earlier on there were rumours that his health had deteriorated. On January 12, he spoke to the BBC radio, saying he was getting better but did not give a specific return date.
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Things are not what they seem. Nigerians should not be carried away by this unhealthy development. It is FAKE. This matter has not been handled according to the law of the land. Senator Mark and others who supported him seem to take Nigerians for granted. The VP's empowerment should not be as if it is by anybody's benevolence. It should be according to the constitution.
It doesn't matter whether or not Ya'Ardua returns to Nigeria. Absence without official leave (AWOL) especially for such an extended period is an offence serious enough to attract dismissal anywhere in the world. Ya'Ardua should be impeached. Furthermore all those aides and ministers who were involved in the conspiracy in any way should be investigated and, if found guilty thoroughly punished. This is the only way to eradicate the culture of corruption and impunity That is the only way forward!!!
excisionist(at)gmx.com
I abhor that condescending word "ACTING. It implies "pretend. It reminds me Shonekans fate until the military coup took away his pretension. What is Acting President supposed to mean? That when Emperor Yar returns, he takes over from the "pretender, whether Yar is well enough to govern or not until Yar falls ill again & gets ambulanced to the foxhole he's been buried the past 90 days? Emperor Yar's treasonable conduct, so far, justifies impeachment. The NASS should get enough balls to impeach him, all together, so the fitter VP could take control of the Executive Branch as the substantive President he ought to have been. This toothless & condescending resolution is more or less postponing the inevitable anarchy waiting round the corner. Do the right thing, you spineless, dishonorable, Legislooters!!!
Jonathan GoodLuck, a real man of good luck making it cheaply to the presidency of the most unrully and the most corrupt country on the african continent. Nigerians have brought nothing, but shame and disgrace to the black race. Please commrade Joe, the first task for you is to lunch an investigation into the unlawful and brutal executions of the Buko haram. Look at what the El Jazeera arabic satellite TV broadcasted yesterday. Nigerians have nothing to be proud of. Only brutality of the highest rate, crime, drug trafficking, murder and gross human right violation. Jonathan Goodlucks, you are wasting your time. You will never govern this country peacefully. Shame on you Nigerians.
While I agree with some of your views concerning the govenance of Nigeria and the politicians, I must confess it was so rude of you to shame Nigerians. You must applogise to the nation otherwise. You must know that even though our politicians are currupt, there are some good ones amongst them. So for you to group the politicans and the ordinary Nigerians is a sin. You got to repent otherwise the gods of Nigeria will judge you and you will have no hidding place.
Worth or whatever you name is, I think you are an embarassment to Africans. We Nigerians are the best on the continent and one of the best on the surface of earth! What happened in Nigeria is test of our resilience and strength. If this were to be any other country in Africa, I doubt, it will survive it.
In spite of all our contributions to lift other nations in Africa up, especially, South Africa, their citizens still have the temerity to rain abuses on us Nigerians. You can go to hell and continue to be the slaves of white people in South Africa. We Nigerians are the best, you are just too jealous of us. Go to hell, wherever you come from.
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