24 days after, Ministers still can’t reach Yar’Adua

TWENTY- FOUR days after he was taken to Saudi Arabia for medical attention, the hide-and- seek game over the state of health of President Umaru Yar’Adua continued yesterday with top Federal Government officials preferring that Nigerians be silent over the all-important issue for which virtually no information has been released.
Very worrisome, however, is the fact that since Yar’Adua left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia, none of his cabinet members had spoken with him.

Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and the President’s in-law and Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, who went to Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Governors’ Forum, came back without a clear picture of the situation with the nation’s number one citizen.

However, the Federal Government, yesterday, declared that God was answering the prayers of Nigerians for the quick recovery of their President, who has been receiving treatment at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; saying that “he is responding to treatment and that is true.”

FG cautions media

Fielding questions from State House Correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, cautioned the media over their too-much emphasis on the health of the President.

The minister’s comment on the President’s state of health coincided with the Federal Government’s earlier plan to “clarify the media on the alleged pressure on Yar’Adua’s close aides to appeal to the President to address cabinet members and the nation via video conference from the Middle-East,’’ a plan that was, however, aborted without explanation.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, had told reporters before the meeting of his intention to clarify issues relating to the proposed video conference, as soon as the meeting ended.

But, he was nowhere to be found after the FEC meeting as he refused to show up at the briefing room during the post-FEC meeting which was attended by Akunyili, her Agriculture and Aviation counterparts, Alhaji Abba Ruma and Mr Babatunde Omotoba respectively. He was said to have told his colleagues that he was rushing to Jos, for official engagement.

FEC meeting briefing not for Yar’Adua — Akunyili

A visibly worried Akunyili disclosed that the reason behind the post-FEC briefing every week was to announce to Nigerians current efforts by the government to grow the nation’s economy through vital policies and infrastructural development and not emphasis on the President’s health.
Vanguardngr

Amodu lists Akpan, Chibuzor in 32-man squad for Nations Cup’s camp

Nigeria’s Head Coach, Shaibu Amodu, has listed 32 players, who will battle for places in the country’s final roster of 23 for the 27th African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Angola next month.
Top on the list is Captain Nwankwo Kanu, with the deputy Captain, Joseph Yobo, as well as midfielders, Oluwaseyi Olofinjana and Mikel Obi, also heading to the camp.

There are five goalkeepers, 11 defenders, nine midfielders and seven forwards. “I believe there will be a fierce fight for shirts because I have made it clear to the players that performances at the Nations Cup will go a long way in determining those who will be called up for the World Cup in South Africa next year,” said Amodu.

The players will report at the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge near Durban, South Africa on December 29. On December 27, the foreign -based players will arrive Nigeria for an appreciation dinner being organised for them by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in the evening of December 28.

The Fairmont Zimbali Lodge is also being considered by the NFF as the Super Eagles’ team base camp for the 19th FIFA World Cup finals being hosted by South Africa next summer.
Nigeria’s final list of 23 players will depart Durban for Angola on January 8, four days before Nigeria’s first match of the tournament, against the cup holders Egypt, at the 35,000 -capacity Ombaka Stadium in Benguela.

The full squad
Goalkeepers:
Vincent Enyeama, Bamidele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide, Greg Etafia and Bassey Akpan

Defenders:
Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Ayodele Adeleye, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri, Onyekachi Apam, Chidi Odiah, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Yusuf Mohammed and Olubayo Adefemi

Midfielders:
Dickson Etuhu, Sani Kaita, Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Oluwaseyi Olofinjana, Mikel Obi, Nwankwo Kanu, Yusuf Ayila, Kalu Uche and Olufemi Ajilore

Strikers:
Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Chinedu Obasi, Michael Eneramo, Joseph Akpala, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obinna Nsofor

World Cup bonus
By virtue of qualification for the final tournament of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, each participating member association will earn $8 million for the three matches of the preliminary group. The earnings are thus graduated:

Champion team - $30 Million
Runner up - $24 Million
Third place - $20 Million
Fourth place - $18 Million
5th 8th - $14 Million
9th 16th - $9 Million
17th 32nd - $8 Million
Sun News

Appeal Court stops Soludo

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interlocutory order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising, accepting, endorsing or ratifying the selection of Professor Chukwumah Soludo as the flagbearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in next February 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
Soludo was the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, before his incursion into politics.

The appellate court also stopped Soludo from parading himself as PDP’s gubernatorial candidate for the election.

The court, in a unanimous judgment, yesterday, said its order would subsist until the determination of a pending substantive appeal filed by four PDP members against Soludo’s nomination.

Mr. Valentine Ozigboh, Mrs. Victoria Nwankwo, Mrs. Nkoli Imo and Mr. Ferdinand Okoye commenced the action which shattered Soludo’s political ambition to rule Anambra State.
Soludo

Soludo

Justice Mary Odili prepared the lead ruling.

Although she was absent in court, yesterday, Justice Oyebode Sodipe read the verdict of the court on her behalf.

Two other justices of the court – Mohammed Aboki and Olukayode Bada- concurred with the lead ruling.

However, PDP yesterday filed a notice of appeal before the Supreme Court to contest the verdict of the Appeal Court.

Verdict shocks PDP

It was evident that the party had anticipated that it would lose the case because copies of the notice of appeal were circulated moments after the Court of Appeal delivered its verdict.

In fact, the party’s lead counsel, Chief Olusola Oke, never stepped out of the court room when Vanguard obtained a copy of the notice of appeal which was duly signed by him.

Although parties in the case are expected to appear before the Supreme Court this morning over the interim order earlier granted by the Appeal Court stopping Soludo from parading himself as PDP’s candidate for the election, it is doubtful if the apex court would be able to hear the case today in view of the new development.

The implication is that PDP may lose its chance of fielding any candidate for the gubernatorial poll.

Soludo’s lead counsel, Chief P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, had expressed shock at the verdict of the Court of Appeal.

He told newsmen yesterday that he would take an appropriate action on the issue.
He, however, begged the court to release a copy of its ruling to him so that his client would be able to formally report back to the Supreme Court as ordered by it during the week.

Oke, yesterday, also told newsmen that he found it difficult to agree with the position of the Court of Appeal in the matter.

He said since he could not reverse it, the best he could do was to ensure full and effective prosecution of the party’s appeal before the apex court.

INEC ‘ll honour court verdict

Meantime, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday said it would obey the court’s ruling on Soludo.

INEC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, told correspondents in Abuja that INEC, as a law-abiding institution, would not do anything that would be contrary to the law.

“The commission is an agent of the law and is bound to abide by the law of the land in every aspect and respect to the commission,” Umenger said.
Vanguardngr

Soludo: 48 hours to eternity

The Supreme Court on Monday adopted a wait-and-see attitude on the appeal brought before it by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the ruling of the Court of Appeal restraining him from parading himself as PDP candidate for the February 6, 2010 election in Anambra State.

The apex court will, however, take over the case on Thursday after the judgment of the Court of Appeal tomorrow.
When the matter came up for hearing before the apex court, Justice Dahiru Musdapher adjourned proceedings to Thursday to await the judgment of the appellate court.

The appellate court is to determine whether Soludo’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate followed due process.
A three-man panel led by Justice Mary Odili had fixed ruling for yesterday after parties in an appeal brought by Mr. Valentine Ozigboh, Mrs. Victoria Nwankwo, Mrs. Nkoli Imo and Mr. Ferdinand Okoye, all PDP governorship aspirants in the state, had adopted their written addresses.
In the appeal lying before the apex court, Justice Mustapher and his team said they would await the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court, bearing in mind the exigency of time asked parties to go and conclude all issues with the Appeal Court and come back on Thursday to allow it take full control of the matter.
The fulcrum of the appeal before the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal is against the ruling of Justice Danlami Senchi of an Abuja High Court striking out the aspirants’ suit and consequently vacating an earlier order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Soludo as a candidate for the election.
The appellants are praying the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the lower court and remit the case back to the high court for a de novo trial by a new judge.

All efforts by Soludo and his party to convince the Appeal Court to vacate its interim order failed.
But counsel to PDP, Olusola Oke who thought he could be clever than Soludo’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) in persuading the court to discharge the interim order was completely ignored by the Justices.
Justice Odili had, while issuing the interim order restraining Soludo from parading himself as the party’s candidate, said: “The matter is before us, anyone that does anything; that would be an action in futility.”
She, however, promised accelerated hearing of the appeal.

In their originating suit, the plaintiffs who are aggrieved party members had alleged illegality by the party in the selection process of Soludo which they claimed negated the party’s constitution and the guidelines for the election of candidates for the party. They further contended that the acts being complained of, occurred within the Federal Capital Territory on October 9 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, a place within the jurisdiction of the court, adding also that the process of selection of Prof. Soludo as the party’s candidate for the Anambra State governorship election slated for February next year was illegal.

In his objection, Soludo asked the court to dismiss the application seeking to stop him from parading himself as the PDP’s governorship candidate for election, arguing that the application was incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it.
The appellant, however, contended that after a careful consideration of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2006 and the constitution of the party, it was clear that the court had the jurisdiction to entertain their case.
According to them, “the learned trial judge failed to advert to Article 17.2 (b) of the 1st Respondent’s (PDP) constitution which provides that the primaries for its candidate for governorship of a state shall be held at the state congress thereof specially convened for that purpose.”
The appellants further noted that the trial judge did not take cognizance of Article 17.2(g) of the party’s constitution which prescribed a minimum of two years membership of the party in order for a person to be eligible to stand for election into public office.

While vacating the order, the trial judge admitted that he granted the October 23, 2009 restraining order without jurisdiction. He added that plaintiffs could either appeal against his ruling or go back to Anambra High Court, which he said had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit on the alleged violation of a court order made on October 7 by an Anambra High Court sitting in Aguata which restrained the PDP from holding its state congress on October 9 as scheduled.
The court upheld the argument of Soludo’s counsel that Article 17 of PDP’s constitution and section 85(1) of Electoral Act 2006 that gave power to political party to nominate its candidate was a domestic issue that could not be adjudicated upon by any court.

He relied on the Supreme Court’s case of Ehinlanwo V Oke and maintained that nomination of a candidate for an election was the exclusive preserve of a political party and that internal dispute resolution mechanism must be exhausted first before invoking the jurisdiction of the court. He further held that the PDP was bound by the provision of its constitution as it was not the court that drafted the constitution for the party.

He said that the court would, however, ensure that the party’s action must be within the sphere of the provision of the constitution of the party. The court further heard that the alleged offence of the PDP was perfected on November 9, 2009 while the suit that culminated in the restraining order came after the nomination.


Sun News

North at last dumps Yar’Adua

The party appears to be over for ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as the same forces that made Chief Olusegun Obasanjo president in 1999 have taken a critical decision: “It’s time up for you, Mr. President”.
Towards this end, they have not only withdrawn their formidable support for his presidency, they are of the strong view that the nation is bigger than one individual and cannot be held hostage by the interest of one man and his group.

Saturday Sun gathered from impeccable sources that the powerful group which has a former army chief and a respected leader in the North as one of the arrow heads, also has two former heads of state, retired top civil servants, some first class emirs, bureaucrats and some serving governors of northern extraction in the group.

The reasoning of the group, Saturday Sun investigations reveal, is the ‘embarrassment and ridicule’ which the epileptic nature of the Yar’Adua presidency has subjected the north and the nation in general to since 2007 when he (Yar’Adua) took the reins of power.

Said an inside source to the workings of the group: “This is not about the North being in power. This is not about liking or hating Yar’Adua. This is about the unwillingness to continue the pretence that we have a president. Nigeria has had no functional president since 2007 and it is not right to continue the hypocrisy.”

The group also believes that, “The president should in his own interest and the higher interest of the nation be allowed to tend to his failing health and have a deserved rest. A country is greater than an individual. How can we say that only one man is fit to rule us out of a population of over 160 million people? How can we say Yar’Adua must remain president whether he is ill or half ill? How can we say that those calling for Yar’Adua’s resignation are evil or unpatriotic simply because they are saying the obvious that this man hasn’t been effectively in charge, that he can’t be effectively in charge because of his ill-health for which we sympathize with him? It’s those who want him to continue in power that actually hate him, they are the sycophants.”

In the view of the northern coalition in the Operation Save Nigeria Project, what is happening in the country today is a throw- back to previous administrations when pressures were also mounted on incumbent leaders to continue in power against popular opinion.

“We saw it during the Abacha days. The man was ailing and dying yet shameless politicians and other opportunists asked him to stay on forever. They were also the architects of the ill-fated Obasanjo third term misadventure. Now, they are holding Umaru by the jugular and asking him to continue even when they know that the man is tired.”
Saturday Sun further learnt the very influential northern bloc which actually facilitated Obasanjo’s release from Yola Prison and drafted him into the presidential race, have held series of meetings in the nation’s capital to deliberate on the most suitable northern candidate to act as deputy to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the vice-president who will be supported to act as president in line with constitutional provisions. One of such meetings held in Wednesday in Abuja also.

With the withdrawal of their critical support for the Yar’Adua presidency, some public affairs observers of the nation’s delicate power game who spoke to Saturday Sun in the strictest confidence believe that it will be a matter of time before Yar’Adua finally throws in the towel.

Said one of the sources: “We know how the third term battle was fought and won. We know how Yar’Adua became president. We know when the game is over. We know Yar’Adua can’t hold on for too long. We know this group of people is serious-minded. And they believe enough is enough. That Nigeria can’t continue to be a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Yar’Adua’s presidency has neither benefited the North nor the nation. We don’t even have a presidency. We have a president and nothing more.

We can’t continue to embarrass ourselves.”
In a related development, the chairman of the octopus umbrella body for the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Gen. I. B. M Haruna, lashed out at the leadership of the Northern Union for insisting that even if Yar’Adua resigns, the North would never allow another part of the country produce the next president.

In an interview with the Saturday Sun at the launch of veteran journalist, Peter Enahoro, a.k.a. Peter Pan’s book, Then Spoke the Thunder at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, Haruna said the Olusola Saraki-led group was being greedy for power. “Is that what the constitution says? Such statements are reckless and provocative. They should be careful not to plunge the nation into crisis. They should remember Honduras and other parts of the world engulfed by crisis,” said Haruna, as he argued that the president’s ill-health should not be the sole yardstick for calling for his resignation. “Did the constitution say the president can’t be ill? That when he’s ill he should resign. He’s not a super human being.”

Former defence minister under the Obasanjo administration, Gen. Yakubu Danjuma, also recently warned against the instigation of another civil war by the unguarded comments of politicians concerning the current political impasse and the president’s ill-health.
Now, as the nation awaits the president’s return from Saudi Arabia where he is undergoing treatment for heart-related ailment, the political yo-yo game continues. And the people wait with bated breath.

Sun News

Akingbola gives conditions for home-coming

Dr. Erastus Akingbola, the estranged former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, weekend, said he was never in hiding and that he was prepared to come home once the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other law enforcement agencies’ hounding him, assures him of his personal safety and that of his family.

He stressed that the loan forgiveness granted by the caretaker management of the bank was an orchestrated attempt to forcefully take it over and not merely to protect the depositors of the bank.
Mr Erastus Akingbola

Mr Erastus Akingbola

A statement issued on his behalf by Mr Charles Nwajagu, his Public Affairs Counsel, noted that; “Following revelations of the “loan forgiveness” which recently came to light, that were never approved by the management or the board during his tenure, Dr. Akingbola now believes strongly that all these actions are part of an orchestrated attempt to forcefully take over the bank and not merely a misguided attempt to protect the depositors of the bank

Akingbola wants his safety guaranteed

“Once again, he would like to reassure Nigerians that he is and has always been prepared to come home, once he is sure of his personal safety and that of his family and confident that no steps will be taken to attempt to implicate him in other crimes as a way of forcing him to withdraw his case in court against the CBN.

‘’His whereabouts are known to the United Kingdom authorities. He is not now or ever been in hiding.”
The statement added: “In the light of continuing but, unfounded damaging allegations being made about my client, it has become necessary to make the following statement:

‘’Dr. Akingbola categorically refutes all the malicious allegations and all the figures quoted as being manipulated and distorted. He regards this misinformation as a deliberate attempt to deceive the public and damage his reputation. He states that he never wrongly took or misappropriated any funds whatsoever.

“All the transactions conducted under his stewardship were legitimate and lawful. It is of paramount public knowledge that Dr. Akingbola had instituted a legal action against the CBN and its Governor over his illegal removal and the suit is on appeal at the instance of the CBN. If there are any allegations against him, these should be left up to an impartial and fair court to decide.

“By resorting to trial in the court of public opinion via the media, his accusers are turning themselves into the complainant, prosecutor and judge. He maintains that this is merely an effort to smear his name, having failed in attempts to fabricate false evidence against him. The on-going campaign of calumny is an effort to justify the illegal and barbaric hijack of the bank, justify his removal and the planned sale of the bank to their special interest groups.

“Once again, he would like to reassure Nigerians that he is and has always been prepared to come home, once he is sure of his personal safety and that of his family and confident that no steps will be taken to attempt to implicate him in other crimes as a way of forcing him to withdraw his case in court against the CBN. His whereabouts are known to the United Kingdom authorities. He is not now or ever been in hiding.

Akingbola flays loan forgiveness

“In his distinguished international banking career of over 39 years, Dr. Akingbola has conducted himself with the utmost regard for the welfare of his customers, investors and staff.

He is deeply disheartened by the untrue allegations being made about him. Following revelations of the “ loan forgiveness” which recently came to light, that were never approved by the management or the board during his tenure, Dr. Akingbola now believes strongly that all these actions are part of an orchestrated attempt to forcefully take over the bank and not merely a misguided attempt to protect the depositors of the bank,” it added.
Vanguardngr

Ronaldo says match against Cote d’Ivoire crucial

Cristiano Ronaldo has emphasised the importance of hitting the ground running at next summer’s FIFA World Cup™ after Portugal were handed one of the toughest possible draws for the group stages.

Portugal, who reached the finals courtesy of a play-off win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, must battle against Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Korea DPR for a place in the last 16 of the competition. Five-time winners Brazil are the favourites for the tournament while African powerhouses Côte d’Ivoire boast players of the calibre of Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Salomon Kalou.
Cote d’Ivoire National Team

Cote d’Ivoire National Team

And it is Portugal’s clash with the Ivorians that Ronaldo believes could be crucial, with the two nations starting their Group G against each other in Port Elizabeth. “Winning the first match will be very important,” said Ronaldo, who could come up against Real Madrid team-mates Kaka and Marcelo as well as former Manchester United companion Anderson in the Brazil side.

“We have been handed a very complicated group. It’s going to be difficult but I’m happy to be able to face my team-mates and friends. Football is always complicated. You cannot have regrets. We have to play well to win.
We are motivated to face the best teams.”

The world’s most expensive player added: “Brazil are the strongest, but the Ivory Coast are also a great side.
It’s a difficult group. To get through it we have to be at our best.”

If Portugal claim a top-two berth then it is possible they will come face to face with Iberian neighbours Spain in the last 16. That could pit Ronaldo against more of his Madrid team-mates in Iker Casillas, Sergio
Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol.

Asked about the prospect of maybe facing the European champions so early in the FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo added:
“If we get through and we play Spain I would be happy.

They are a great team, but right now my only concern is the group stage. It will be a good sign if we face
Spain. It will mean we’ve got through.”
Vanguardngr

Anambra 2010: Appeal Court stops Soludo

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Mary Odili, Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not to recognise Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the February 6, 2010 governorship election in Anambra state, pending the hearing and determination of a suit before it, challenging his nomination.

The appellate court further ordered the embattled former Central Bank governor to desist forthwith from soliciting votes or parading himself as the party’s candidate until the controversy trailing his nomination process is finally resolved. The court said that status_quo ante_bellum should be maintained by all the parties in the matter.

Justice Odili who gave the interim injunction in a short ruling yesterday after counsel to the appellants, Mr. Sani Abubakar, drew the attention of the court to the fact that Soludo had already flagged_off his political campaign despite the subsisting appeal challenging his nomination was adjourned till the 14th of this month.

Reacting to the court order at the end of proceeding yesterday, counsel to Soludo, Chief Patrick Ikweato (SAN), described it as strange and curious, alleging that it was made by the judges themselves.

He said that he would apply for a copy of the ruling to enable him to advise Soludo accordingly.

He had earlier relied on the decided case law of Nwosu Vs Nnajiuba to plead with the court not to concede to the request of the appellants, adding that it should not allow itself to be used as “engine of operation and hardship in stopping a process of democratic governance.”

Similarly, counsel to the PDP, Chief Oke, who is also the party’s National Legal Adviser, said yesterday that what the court did was simply to tie the hands of the PDP and to force the INEC to reverse an already concluded action, insisting that the party would also look at the ruling critically.

The four appellants who are contesting Soludo’s nomination are Mr. Valentine Ozigboh, Mrs. Victoria Nwankwo, Mrs. Nkoli Imo and Mr. Ferdinand Okoye.

They had approached the appellate court with a view to reversing the decision of trial Justice Danlami Senchi, who on November 15 struck out their suit challenging the legality of the process adopted by the PDP in choosing Soludo as its candidate for the said election.

They are contending that the Judge erred in law by declining jurisdiction to entertain the matter they said bothered on an alleged breach of both the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act of 2006 and Article 17 of the PDP electoral guidelines.
Vanguardngr

Nigeria President Umaru Yar'Adua urged to stand down

More than 50 Nigerian public figures have called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to resign, saying ill health has impaired his judgement.

Several Nigerian newspapers carried a statement asking him to step down that was signed by senior political figures and democracy activists, among others.

But ministers dismissed the statement, saying there was "no basis" for the president to leave office.

Mr Yar'Adua is currently being treated in Saudi Arabia for a heart problem.

In a statement, Information Minister Dora Akunyili said the cabinet had met and had "unanimously resolved" that the president "has not been found incapable of discharging his functions".

She said: "Council wishes to inform all Nigerians that all organs of government are functioning and that government will continue to deliver."

'Leadership vacuum'

BBC Africa analyst Mary Harper says the statement issued by the group of political figures is blunt and to the point.

It says the president's illness "has created a dangerous situation whereby no-one is in charge of the affairs of state".


AFRICAN VIEWPOINT
No journalist worth the description should subscribe to the rumour mill and I try not to, but the Nigerian environment is different
Nigerian journalist Sola Odunfa

Nigeria's great rumour mill

The statement talks about "a vacuum of leadership" whereby ministers are "engaged in infighting" and "routinely flout the orders of the president".

Many of the people who have signed the statement are prominent figures in Nigeria - including Aminu Bello Masari, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Ken Nnamani, a former Senate president.

Our correspondent says their words reflect the general mood in the country, where there is real concern that the president's recurring health problems have rendered him frequently unable to do his job.

She says the front pages of Nigeria's newspapers regularly print photographs of a man who is obviously in ill health - his face deeply lined and ashen.

Although he has missed several important events, officials had kept silent on what was wrong with Mr Yar'Adua.

Last week they finally confirmed he was suffering from acute pericarditis - an inflammation of the lining of his heart.

He is also known to have a kidney problem.
BBC News

Yar’Adua: Follow the constitution if… – Northern leaders

As uncertainty lingers over President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health and his ability to continue to perform the responsibilities of his office, a group of 19, drawn from the threeNorthern geo-political zones of the country has added its voice to the call that the constitution should be upheld.

The position of the 19 prominent Nigerians from the 19 northern states made up of senators, retired senior military/police officers and other politicians came on the heels of a related call on the president to resign.

According to the group, which included former national chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh (Benue); former Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Colonel. Hamid Ali, rtd, ( Bauchi) and Action Congress (AC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Kwara), in case of any eventuality over the president’s health, the constitution must be followed.

Other members were Alhaji Dauda Birmah, OFR, Adamawa ; Abba Kyari, Borno; Senator Haruna Garba, Gombe; Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Jigawa; Tom Mataimaki Maiyashi, Kaduna; Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, Kano; Sen. Mamman A. Dan Musa, Katsina; AIG Lawal Bawa (rtd), Kebbi; Clement Baiye, Kogi; Solomon Ewuga, Nasarawa; Mohammed Haruna, Niger; General John Temlong (rtd), Plateau; Dr. Abubakar M. Sokoto, Sokoto; Mr. Obadiah Ando, Taraba; Mohammed Bomoi, Yobe and Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Zamfara.

The position which was endorsed by all the 19 read: “Public discussion on the state of health of President Umaru Yar’Adua is threatening to degenerate into dangerous dimensions. The Punch newspaper on 28th November 2009, reported unnamed spokesman as saying if Yar’Adua were unable to continue, there is pressure for Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign so that David Mark, the Senate President, would take over and organise fresh elections!

Leadership Sunday, in its 29th November 2009 edition also reported some politicians as saying the North (whatever that means!) should rule until 2015. Only in Nigeria would such arrant nonsense make it to the pages of respectable newspapers, considering the potential capacity for destabilisation such views carry.

“Our national institutions such as the National Assembly and national/regional NGOs should immediately come out and publicly counter such potentially damaging statements.

“We, the undersigned, wish to state categorically that (God forbid, and we wish him well), in the event the president is unable to continue in office, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan should immediately be sworn-in as president as provided by Section 144 of the 1999 Constitution. Any other ploy to bypass the constitution will have grave consequences for the evolution, unity and integrity of Nigeria.

“Conventions and devices such as rotation are strictly non-constitutional and any attempts to becloud issues by mixing political party administrative devices with constitutional imperatives would be unhelpful in the situation we find ourselves.

“All the state institutions should show loyalty to the constitution at all time,” the group stated.
Vanguardngr