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Yar’adua’s “Return”: Securing Nigeria By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, Ph.D.
In the early hours of Wednesday February 24th, Nigerians got the news that “President” Yar’adua was on his way back to Nigeria. I monitored international cable news; only Al-Jazeerah was covering the news, reporting what a “US-based Nigerian official” said. It got interesting when it was reported later that some troops lined up the Airport road, Abuja without the knowledge of Acting President Jonathan, in anticipation of the arrival of Yar’adua. Online news media reported that Yar’adua had arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in an air ambulance, and journalists were barred from going near to cover. At about 3:31 am, the ground ambulance carrying Yar’adua reportedly arrived at the presidential villa Abuja. There is nothing that should surprise Nigerians about this “mid-night” stealthily “arrival” of Mr. Yar’adua. We had been informed before hand of Mrs. Turai Yar’adua determination to bundle back her husband via an air ambulance to Nigeria, hoping that she would fasten her waning grip on political power. The game now is psychological and may even become violent. I have warned Dr. Jonathan before to wake up for the sake of Nigeria. His “wisdom” and gentility may cost him and Nigeria dearly. Two days ago, I got a call from an “Army Colonel” informing me that my life was in danger, and that, “you are standing in some people’s way.” Dr. Jonathan, not only is your life in danger, but Nigeria is in danger if you fail to act. Go and read some of my postings since November 2009. The arrival of Yar’adua in an air ambulance is what is similar to the “cradle” I referred to in November 2009. I did not see him in the hospital ward in Jeddah; I saw Turai in a room with white beds crammed up. You are not in any confrontation with the helpless Yar’adua. Turai wants you out of the way. If you will secure Nigeria and yourself, you must urgently do the following: 1. Lead the executive council of the federation to physically visit and see Mr. Yar’adua in the room where he is being kept at the presidential villa Abuja. 2. In your position as Acting President, which is still intact in accordance with the February 9th resolution of the National Assembly (read it at least twice a day), dissolve the entire federal cabinet today (Wednesday 24th). You are already in the middle of the river. 3. In your capacity as Commander-In-Chief, announce without delay changes in the entire military leadership and retire some top-ranking military officers just like President Obasanjo did few hours after his swearing in on May 29th, 1999. You have dilly-dallied for too long. If things go awry, you will be blamed. You have ignored wise counsel for too long. Politics is a different ball game than you might have thought. 4. In Yar’adua’s sick condition (ambulance-borne), and obvious inability to perform any presidential duties, your position as the nation’s leader remains unimpeachable (See section 146). Yar’adua’s sick condition remains unchanged whether in Saudi Arabia or Nigeria; so, nothing has changed in respect to the February 9th resolution by the national assembly, except that now, you, Dr. Jonathan have no alternative than to do the right thing. If you do not exercise power, it will be taken from you. You must make ministerial nominations and submit to the national assembly this week. In the interim, you should charge Permanent Secretaries to take charge of their various ministries. 5. Dr. Jonathan, you must address the nation this week in order to impress on the mind of Nigerians who is practically in charge. I must say that “President” Yar’adua cannot rule by proxy through his wife or any family member or friend. The constitution recognizes ONLY the Vice-President as the ASSOCIATE of the president. If Nigerians cannot see “President” Yar’adua or hear from him, the only next face of Nigeria, embodying the sovereignty of Nigeria is Acting President Jonathan. By the resolution of the national assembly, adoption of same by the executive council of the federation, and its official communication to the Chief Justice of the federation, Dr. Jonathan remains Nigerian leader at the moment. His position is even more assured with Yar’adua’s return in an ambulance and confinement in some medically secure room somewhere in the presidential villa. If the executive council of the federation’s meetings still cannot be chaired by Mr. Yar’adua, even now that he is “back” (albeit in an ambulance), then section 144 should be relied on to communicate the Senate President, who will compose a medical panel of five medical doctors to examine Yar’adua. We need to put this Turai-contrived distraction behind us and focus on true nation-building. Leonard Karshima Shilgba is the President of the Nigeria rally Movement (www.nigeriarally.org ) and Assistant Professor of mathematics with the American University of Nigeria. TEL: +234-8055024356; Email: leonardshilgba@nigeriarally.org |