By SEO OGBONMWAN KSC.
There is no doubt that Yar’Adua’s illness has caused a crisis of no small magnitude in the Nigeria political landscape and in spite of the ingenuity and resilience of Nigerians who are determined not to go again through the mistakes of 1966/67 some mischievous individuals who are making profit out of this disorderly situation are determined to plunge the nation into the abyss again.
Right from when Yar’Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia for his treatment after he was said to have collapsed in his Aso Rock, all information about his illness have been coming in a drip, drip form as the whole medical management has been shrouded in secrecy. As we are aware or suspect, the medical situation of the president is not looking good but he and his closest associates still wish to hold on to power at all cost no matter what happens to the nation.
It is true anyone is allowed to fall ill; anybody who is ill is also allowed to seek remedy anywhere in the world for his ailment but what one is not allowed to do is to stop the clock of a nation’s progress, a nation of over 150 million people just that one individual has fallen ill. People must differentiate the subtle difference between the President and the Presidency. Nigerians must not allow any group no matter how highly placed to project the nation's Presidency in an unsavoury light.
You would expect that Yar’Adua’s closest friends and family to advice him to transmit power fully to his deputy gracefully so that he can have ample time to look after himself in the best medical setting anywhere in the world but they have chosen not to do that. Scared that power may be slipping from his grip the heartless cabal of his closest associates decided to bundle him down to Nigeria and nurse him in an ambulance with out access by anyone which obviously a disadvantage to Yar'Adua as a person but this close cabal determined to continue milking the nation do not care.
The situation obviously creates doubt in the minds of many Nigerians. The questions that come to mind include:
· Is Yar’Adua really in the country especially when one considers the secrecy with which he was brought in the small hours of the night?
· On the other hand is he dead that there is so much secrecy and security about preventing everyone including the mother, siblings and the acting President of the nation from seeing him?
· Are the innermost cabal that is obviously controlling the situation or trying to control the situation presently mindful of the feelings of 150 million Nigerians and his closest family including his mother who seem are being taken for an inglorious ride?
· Is the role of the military in particular the brigade of guard, the Chief of Army Staff, National Security Adviser who seems not to respect the views of the Nigerian people through the actions of the National Assembly of bestowing power on the Vice President to act as the Acting President of the nation in consonant with feelings of Nigerians?
· Is the role and pronouncements of the Personal Assistant to Yar’Adua who seems to be dishing out information from an unelected group of individual to the Nigerian people which seems to have compounded the present situation not counterproductive and heating the national politics unnecessarily?
· What is the role of Yar’Adua personal Physician in all of this? Has he been completely sidelined by the cabal controlling the situation presently? Should the nation not create the role of a Surgeon General as in the first Nigerian Republic who can be backed up constitutionally?
· What is holding the national assembly back from bestowing on Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan the full role the national president constitutionally by doing what is right for an incapacitated president?
Above are pertinent questions that need answering.
However some good has come of out of this ugly situation in the person of unfaltering Professor Dora Akunliyi who shows she has a conscience, believes in the truth of any situation and wishes to do what is right for our people by showing transparency in her dealings with fellow Nigerians. She has shown fearlessness and commitment to her post as information minister to sift the lies from half truth, and truth in her information management. Nigeria needs more of Dora Akunliyi to move the nation forward in a selfless and patriotic manner as she has done. Her actions, devotion to duty, from her days in NAFDAC to her present position has revealed her personality as a women with honour, conscience, transparent, incorruptible, God fearing and has a vision for a progressive Nigerian nation.
It is in crisis time that a leader is emerges and Nigeria has just been blessed with one with genuine followership across the nation and the Diaspora and her name is Professor Dora Akunliyi.
The other benefits of the Yar’Adua illness as I always like to see the good no matter the situation include the unity of purpose of the nation in seeking to stop Nigeria from drifting in a rudderless sea. Nigerians from all works of life have been involved in asking for direction from the national assemblies and elders of the nation. No one has been left out, from students union to market women to civil societies, NBA, and the coalition of political parties. So the ascendancy of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is not only an acts of God but the very strong desire of Nigerian people both from the north and south.
The composition of the cabal determined to hold the country down have been exposed. They are doing this not for the ill Yar’Adu as a person as Nigeria’s President but for their personal gains and personal greed to acquire more ill gotten wealth.
The Yar’Adua illness has exposed the very weak Nigerian Health system that needs urgent attention. What is lacking is not the manpower but appropriate infra structure and modern medical equipments to render a 21st century clinical service in at least a few centres in the country and obviate the need for these medical vacations and the huge expense of estacode that goes along with it.
It is also a good opportunity to entrench in the nation’s constitution that the federal government of Nigeria no longer funds treatment abroad for any of her citizens. This singular move will help the government to invest appropriately in the national health sector and bring it to international standard.
We hope that Professor Dora Akunyili who is the type of incorruptible leader Nigeria needs will put herself forward for elective position at the highest level in subsequent election and we hope Nigerians from all walks of life will emulate her outspokenness, forthrightness, commitment to Nigeria, her transparent attitude and courage.
Those who are moving negative motions in the national house of assembly against Dora Akunyili must be deaf and blind to the quiet revolution taking place across the nation. Nigerians want transparency, accountability and openness and an effective government and they are showing it. No more secrecy which facilitates corrupt practices. I ask them to listen to the new Nigerian song of progress, courage, openness and determination as exemplified by our respectable and hard working Dora Akunyili. Please leave our hero alone.
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