DR CROSS:

illusion2, please dont call Goodluck a bloody vice president,the guy is trying his best because is not in his position to declare himself as president,we should all blem the federal council or what ever the call themself.But i only blem Goodluck for not confroting U.S vice president about Naija being black list as terrorist country

OAM4J:

Nobody is asking him to declare himself the president. But let him at least exercise his power as Vice president especially now that the president is not around.

He has been too quiet, dull and inactive for my liking. The best time for him to shine is now. He should be on the side of the people. Even if it means losing his face b4 some few disgruntle political sycophants, he will always be on the good side of history and People will always remember him for being on the side of the truth/majority. For example we will always remember Atiku for standing against 3rd term.

Iyke-D:

As someone said earlier, was it not the same healthy Jonathan that was that was was being asked to resign several weeks even when it was clear that Yar Adua was on life support? How do you reconcile that? And people think this same Jonathan
can just assume power without the blessings of the NASS, the northern cabal, or the near comatose Yar Adua?

I personally think Jonathan is in a dilemma here and is playing his cards right.  Its best for him to assume the office when its clear to all that there was no way Yar Adua was returning. Reality needs to kick in to the northern cabal that the constitution is superior to their wishes.

Someone mentioned Atiku' aggressiveness against OBJ earlier while forgetting to note that its the same Atiku mindset of gaining
power that is being confronted today. For the longest time, some people have being conditioned to think that power is theirs to
dictate. This has been the reason why even in the army a major from the North may think or act as if he outranks a brigadier from
the South. Sadly, this has been Nigeria's reality and some humility is in order. 

I have one question for you, just one! I mean I know we can type lengthy paragraphs all the rest of 2010 and still come back to this one question, so I'll just give you possible options and if you would pick just one, it would do us all good . . . .

Who does Vice President of the Republic of Nigeria, Jonathan Goodluck, work for( Who SHOULD he answer to?)?

a) Yar adua and the Northern Cabal
b) Himself
c) The People of the Republic of Nigeria

Iyke-D:

The answer is C.

[size=14pt]But[/size] please explain to me how Jonathan is supposed to swear in the CJ, sign the budget, act as commander in chief, etc. if the right steps (steps laid out by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) to transmit that authority to him are yet to be invoked? How does he do it, just scream
louder or become more defiant?

I am no legal mind, but it does appear to me that the constitution is clear on the respective roles
of the President and the VP. It also clearly states what actions to take before the VP can assume
the powers of the president. Those actions are yet to be taken and Jonathan has no real control
over those actions.

Mekusxyz:

How many days is required for the President to be away from his duty post before he can be impeached (or anything of that sort)?

As someone said earlier, was it not the same healthy Jonathan that was that was was being asked to resign several weeks
even when it was clear that Yar Adua was on life support? How do you reconcile that? And people think this same Jonathan
can just assume power without the blessings of the NASS, the northern cabal, or the near comatose Yar Adua?

Someone mentioned Atiku' aggressiveness against OBJ earlier while forgetting to note that its the same Atiku mindset of gaining
power that is being confronted today. For the longest time, some people have being conditioned to think that power is theirs to
dictate. This has been the reason why even in the army a major from the North may think or act as if he outranks a brigadier from
the South[b](an act of cowardice). Sadly, this has been Nigeria's reality and some humility is in order.[/b] 

If we are prepared for the country to break up right now, then I see sense in urging Jonathan to "seize" power, though a lot of
people these days seems to think that may not be a bad thing after all - I can't say I disagree with them.

MsTom:

I dont get this. shouldnt there be a place in the constitution that states that the vice president should act in the absence of the president for whatever reason? Why are they waiting for Yaradua to handover? It is the responsiblity of the vice president to act in the absence of the president. I believe the constitution should take precedence. Except if there is no constitution.

illusion2:

My friend the VP of a country is expected to have some BALLS !!!

otukpo:

the best Jonathan can do is when he assumes power,
He shld sack all these 1st generation politicians dt has been recycled severally and bring in young nd visionary professionals to work with.

Kobojunkie:

Since he came in on the SAME ticket as Yar adua, and expected us to somehow think them both DIFFERENT, I say we work on SACKING him as well if we are already working on Sacking his other half. A wife who would sit back, with folded arms, waiting for some divine intervention, while her husband drags her family down into hell, is a foolish wife in my book! That seems to work here as well. The duty of making sure the country runs well does not lie SOLELY in the hands of Yar adua. We elected Jonathan on the same ticket so he could assist, and since it is apparent he cannot, then there is no need keeping him around after we have gotten rid of his other.

otukpo:

Let's hope his silence would be golden.

Kobojunkie:

I am definitely not hoping for that. I hope the man is BOOTED out when his other half is. I would prefer we endure only 3 months of the person to sit in so we can have another election for better, studier minds ready to hit the ground running.

All that comes after that BUT just goes to remind me of why I LOVE discussing politics with my American friends, rather than my Nigerian friends. What do I mean? I mean I love the way they do not believe it is their duty to PRODUCE/MANUFACTURE excuses for the politicians out here. Many have no problems jumping ship it they notice their boat is sinking (politicians they admire or hold high are shifting to the other end). I particular love the way they hold themselves and those around them to higher standards, even though deep down they know they may never achieve it all.

You admit that Jonathan SERVES the people but in the same BREATH come up with at least one EXCUSE for his continued inaction especially at a time when the country is rudderless, international relationships and strained and people are waiting to hear from our government on terror issue.

I will only say that May God be with you ooo!!!

Iyke-D:

Thanks for that, but you still haven't stated how Jonathan is supposed assume presidential powers to serve the people
without that same power being legally transmitted to him? I mean didn't you hear Yar Adua say in his few seconds interview that he will be returning to his duties "very soon"?

Iyke-D:

Of course, the country is rudderless and international relationships are being strained, but is that of Jonathan's making or that of the man that is desperately clinging to power even when his life is hanging on a thread with the tacit approval of the NASS?

otukpo:

I think Goodluck's siddon look is the best for now.
What can he do when YD did not hand over power to him or the NASS giving him the power.
If Jonathan shld do anything contrary to what he is doing now, he will be accused of trying to topple the govt and dt might be an excuse they are looking for to sack him.

Lets wait untill power get to him consitutional b4 we can criticize him.
It is the same pple accusing him of docility that will accuse him of power hungry if he does any gra gra and gets booted out.

Kobojunkie:

Does Wole Soyinka have to assume office to act? What in all that has been said do you understand to mean that the VP has to assume presidential power in order to serve the people who elected him on the same ticket as the president, to serve the people, as the VP?

When it comes to running a country, especially a democratic entity, it does not matter WHO DID IT.

What matters that others come in to FIX the problem as soon as it is recognized. Nigeria does not belong to Yar adua, neither is yar adua the only member of THIS administration.

Does Wole Soyinka have to assume office to act? What in all that has been said do you understand to mean that the VP has to assume presidential power in order to serve the people who elected him on the same ticket as the president, to serve the people, as the VP? Is this sort of like, the story of the man who got 5 talents and decided to do nothing with it because someone had more, and he felt he needed more to accomplish anything at all? I really do not get why you keep asking that question. He is second in command, not zombie in command!

When it comes to running a country, especially a democratic entity, it does not matter WHO DID IT.

Iyke-D:

Is he not chairing the FEC meetings in Yar Adua's absence?

Iyke-D:

What other specific actions you want him to take to
"serve the people" as empowered by the constitution or that doesn't count any more?

Iyke-D:

Common, I know you know better than that. It does matter who does what and who did what. Thats
precisely the reason Nigeria is in the mess its today, e.g. a governor acting as treasurer, accountant,
and auditor all at the same time. In any organization, the recipe for chaos (fraud) is lack of segregation
of duties.

Iyke-D:

Duke or Soyinka are correct voicing their concerns, as it is tended to apply pressure to Yar Adua, the
Katsina inner cabinet, and NASS. However, no matter how bad Jonathan wants it, he has to play along
because as hampered as he may be, he is still the "Government" in Yar Adua's absence, while Duke or
Soyinka are just private citizens.

Jairzinho:

Like Donald Duke observed, the FEC has been awarding contracts,yet Goodluck is not 'in charge'.

What Kobojunkie & the rest of us are asking for is that he LEADS !!! Forget the letter & all that nonesense,be out there lets know you're in charge.

The CJN swore in his successor,the first time in the history of Nigeria. 

When it comes to law & the constitution,the 1st thing you're taught in law school is that 'THE LAW IS AN backside'.

He can alway look for a statute to back himself up,suppose the president died suddenly & we were attacked by cameroun,will he be waiting for a letter from NASS? 

Now yar'Adua is away for 50 days & all the imbeciles are looking for approval from 'the northern cabal'. . . duh !