North demands ‘true picture’ of Yar’Adua’s state of health
By Tony Akowe Published Today News Rating:  Unrated

Yar'Adua
The North yesterday demanded what it called the "true picture" of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health, blaming his doctors for hiding such vital information.

It asked the "handlers of the President’s health to put national interest above personal gains and come up with the true picture".

But the Senate pleaded with Nigerians to let the issue be. It also canvassed support for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver the dividends of democracy.

"On the issue of the President’s health, I want to use this opportunity to plead with Nigerians to as much as possible let this situation be. Let’s not heighten tension. Let us emphasise on the issue that will enthrone peace and help the Acting President to move the country forward," Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, told reporters in Abuja.

Rising from a meeting of one of its special committees in Kaduna, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said doubts over the President’s health would linger except his doctors come forth with the truth.

In a communiqué by the Maj.-Gen. Inuwa Wushishi-led committee, Arewa said such information would enable "relevant bodies to perform their constitutional roles in the entire episode in the interest of the nation".

While pledging support for Jonathan, the communiqué signed by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, said the acting president could not afford to preside over a divided nation.

According to the group, the Acting President should take advantage of his new status and bring Nigerians together to overcome their differences.

The communiqué reads: "ACF has considered the unhealthy and avoidable politics of identity which has attended the return of President Umaru Yar’Adua from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

"The forum has also noted the fissiparous tendencies that now threaten to divide not only the Executive Council of the Federation and the National Assembly, but also the entire nation along ethno-religious and regional cleavages.

"As a result, it bears repeating the position of ACF that unless those charged with the authority and responsibility of managing the health of President Yar’Adua are forthcoming with information on the true position of Mr. President’s health status and physical capacity to Nigerians, it would be near-impossible for Nigerians to do away with the current levels of bickering, intrigues and subterfuge that come with mistrust and suspicion.

"ACF therefore appeals to the handlers of the President to put the national interest and his health over and above individual ambitions and pecuniary interest, by being more open and transparent on this important matter of President Yar’Adua’s health.

"This is about the only way that will enable relevant government organs and agencies take all necessary constitutional actions (in line with Section 144) that will put this saga behind and spur the nation forward for collective good.

"ACF pledges once again its support for and cooperation with the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan. It is noteworthy that the Acting President has been a product of luck, of forces of national unity and of national consensus. Indeed, he is a product of forces beyond his control. As a result, he cannot afford to preside over a divided government or the nation.

"The forum also calls on the Acting President to make haste and enact the electoral reforms that will enable the people’s votes count in 2011. The reason is that when people’s votes count, the leadership that emerges will necessarily have abiding faith in the judgment of the people. Such leaders are more likely to exercise power that is humane in its spirit, moral in its purpose and wise in its uses.

"Nigerians expect no less from the government under the watch of Acting President Jonathan Ebele Goodluck. One way of achieving this is by improvement in power, energy and security.

"Meanwhile, we extend as always our prayers and sympathy to the ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua".

Eze pleaded with Nigerians to support the Acting President and help him to strengthen his programmes "so that he can deliver the benefits of governance while he is in that saddle."

The Senate spokesman said: "Every department of government has spoken – the governors, the National Assembly, a party that to which all us belong that we are very satisfied with the steps being taken by the Acting President and we are equally satisfied that nobody is coming between him and his job; and we urge him to concentrate and not be distracted and focus on delivering the goods."

He went on: "I think that he also started on a good footing by appointing a Presidential Advisory Council. That is a mark of humility, an admission that he doesn’t know it all and he needs to pull in experience so that they can advise on the next trajectory for the progress of the state. And I think that Nigerians should as much as possible let this situation be. Let’s not heighten tension, let us emphasise only the issue that would enthrone peace, sustain peace and help the Acting President to move the country forward.

"This issue of looking for somebody who is sick, and then poke nosing or trying to cry about … It is our President all right, but right now there is an Acting President and nobody is having doubt about that. I want to urge us to please allow the Acting President to do his work."

On who led the National Assembly leadership to the Villa on Wednesday, he said: "The issue of who led the delegation to the Acting President is neither here nor there. I was not there with them, but I know that the National Assembly has an undisputed chairman. I don’t think that was an issue. Even if you watch an issue in the Villa, the Senate President will always sit next to the Vice-President before other people sit. That is the order."

I keep hearing North. Who is the North

candylips:

I keep hearing North. Who is the North

Northern Politics.

Apologise 4 d disturb, miss road!