Abuja: Following the political
uncertainty created by the return of President Umaru Musa
Ya'Adua to Nigeria after a medical trip in Saudi Arabia, the
country’s acting president Goodluck Jonathan has appealed for
peace and stability as the leader recuperates.
Jonathan who was Yar'Adua's deputy was elevated to
the position of acting president by Nigeria's parliament under
a unanimous resolution when it was not clear when the
president would come back.
He spent up to three months at the hospital after
leaving without writing a letter to the parliament as required
by the country’s constitution.
Yar'Adua who went to treat a heart condition called
pericarditis on November 23 was brought home under the covers
of darkness Wednesday and was transported to the presidential
palace on an ambulance.
His present condition remains a mystery but his media
aide, Olusegun Adeniyi said he was recuperating very fast.
Adeniyi had also announced that Jonathan can
continue acting as president though he lacks the power to make
such pronouncement since the parliament said Yar’Adua must
write a letter of notification on return.
"It is at times like this that all patriots must
rise to the occasion, and place the interest of the country
above every other consideration," Jonathan had said in a
statement even as he lauded the president’s return without
mentioning about his present condition.
The president's return foreshadowed uncertainty as
the acting president was not aware of the plan and the
military barricaded the airport from where he came in without
taking orders from him (acting president).
Nobody has been able to tell who gave them the
instructions since the acting president is also the commander
in-chief of the armed forces.
Meanwhile, Nigerian senators have claimed to be
ignorant of the president’s return.
Senator George Thompson Sekibo said: "We will not
act on rumours because there have been so many rumours in the
country and our resolution (empowering Vice-President Goodluck
Jonathan to step in as Acting President, pending the return of
Yar’Adua from his medical vacation) is very clear."
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 21:47