House delegation returns empty-handed: Yar'Adua very sick, isolated and abandoned in Jeddah


House delegation returns empty-handed: Yar'Adua very sick, isolated and abandoned in Jeddah
Written by Saharareporters, New York
Saturday, 13 February 2010 12:06




Digitally modified image of Yar'adua-Bed-ridden
Nigeria's ailing "president," Umaru Yar'Adua, may be in far worse condition at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah than has previously been revealed to the Nigeria public. He appears to be abandoned and isolated, with a Saudi official ominously saying Yar'Adua will soon be delivered to Nigeria "dead or alive.". This is the devastating picture the delegation of the House of Representatives, which returned from the kingdom this morning, brought back. The delegation returned after a fruitless five-day visit in search of Yar’adua via Emirates Airlines to Lagos. Sources in Jeddah said that as hard as they tried, members of the delegation failed to set eyes on the ailing Nigerian leader on even one occasion. But they met Yar'Adua's wife, Hajia Turai, on the third day of their visit and were alarmed at her "bad shape," as she has lost weight considerably, and her few words, insisting that it is Allah that gives power and life and he would do whatever he like with it.

Turai however confided in a member of the delegation said to be close to her that she is very disappointed in the "Katsina boys" in the government as they have paid little or no attention to their principal's core needs, only jostling for power in Abuja and amassing wealth. She told the source that she was aware that Sayyad Abba Ruma had approached “Acting President” Jonathan Goodluck to be made VP.

Saharareporters learned that upon their arrival in Jeddah, members of the delegation were given a program drawn up by the Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Aminchi, in which he offered sweet deals for them to embark on an all-expenses paid Umrah in Mecca and to also visit Medina. That program would have taken three days off their schedule. But fearing that the Nigerian public was watching every move they made, they rejected the offer and insisted upon seeing Yar’Adua in order to pay homage and deliver the solidarity and get-well wishes of the House.

Strangely, they were only permitted to meet Yar'Adua's Aide-De-Camp, who assured them as usual that the president was doing “well” but couldn’t meet them as he was “resting” in the Royal wing of the hospital. He asked if they would love to tour the kingdom or move to better hotels, but the group reportedly turned down the offer and insisted they wanted to see Yar’Adua.

It was when negotiations became intense and the delegation found they were making no progress that they requested that they meet Turai, which they did on the third day. Members of the delegation were shocked at her condition and her countenance, which may suggest she may be losing hope.
http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/5152-house-delegation-returns-empty-handed-yaradua-very-sick-isolated-and-abandoned-in-jeddah.html
The delegation was able to meet Yar’Adua’s physicians who said they could not disclose anything to them since the Yar'Adua family and the Saudi government had signed a confidentiality agreement with them. They however told the delegation that no one could enter to see Yar’adua because there are lots of complications for now, and that he is totally isolated due to various infections. What appears to be the most disconcerting point of the visit was the statement by the Saudi government official that they would be discharging Yar’Adua to Nigeria “dead or alive” sometime soon.

The delegation was led by House Minority Leader, Hon. Ali Ndume, and included, Hon. Baba Shehu, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, Hon. Moruf Akinderu and Hon. Jubril Adamu. When they as they group began its initial maneuvers, they dropped Hon. Nnenna Ukeje from Abia State.
Our reporters sighted two members of the delegation-Baba Shehu and Ali Ndume as they made to board an Aero Contractor flight to Abuja at 3:30 PM Nigerian time.

The delegation would be reporting back to the House next week Tuesday, but already there are fears that the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, might block the report due to his corruption and cash-backed loyalty to the Yar’Adua