Eminent Nigerians today in a press statement asked Umaru Yar’Adua to “immediately and unconditionally hand over to the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to complete the current term of office.” As Acting President, said the 55 signatories who emanate from all over Nigeria, Jonathan should then conduct the next general elections on the basis of the report of the electoral reform committee headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.
In the statement, which was made public only a short while ago, the concerned Nigerians offered Yar’Adua the option of resigning his office immediately, arguing that his poor health “has created a dangerous situation whereby no one is in charge of the affairs of the State contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.”
On the other hand, they said that if Yar’Adua is confident of his current health, he should “request the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office.”
They said such an “honorable step” would enable the Senate President to appoint a Medical Panel to confirm the fitness or otherwise of Yar’Adua to continue in office.”
Sympathizing with Yar’Adua’s condition, the signatories said his health should be given priority attention, but stressed that the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised.
The call for Yar’adua to step down came as the Nigerian senate defeated a motion asking it to
“pray” for him; thereafter the Senate went on “recess” with plans to resume on December 10 2009.
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Below is the text of the press statement:
PRESIDENT YA'ADUA'S HEALTH CONDITION AND THE STATE OF THE NATION
It is clear to every discerning observer that President Umaru Yar'Adua's physical condition has had a negative impact on his ability to discharge the functions of the highest office in our nation. Within the last few months, he has been unable to attend to crucial affairs of the State at home and abroad and whenever he has found time to do so, his judgment appears impaired by his ill-health.
A few examples may suffice:
i. His health condition has necessitated several medical trips abroad but he has not transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he was proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office as required by Section 145 of the Constitution.
ii. President Yar'adua though invited was unable to attend the United nations General Assembly for which a private audience had been arranged between him and President Obama for high level discussions of issues mutually beneficial to Nigeria and the United States because he was in Saudi Arabia to 'open a university' which was a dummy sold to cover up his treatments.
iii. It is also common knowledge that the incapacity of the president has affected the implementation of the nation’s budget because he has been unable to coordinate the management of the national economy and to preside over the Federal Executive Council in a diligent manner.
iv. In the circumstance, Ministers have routinely flouted the orders of the President and engaged in infighting as a direct result in the vacuum of leadership. This was recently embarrassingly exposed to the world with the series of conflicting public statements credited to the Attorney General and the Chair person of the EFCC. This was also exposed further when the president disavowed knowledge of a memo to all foreign missions purportedly on his instructions. Furthermore, till date, ministers continue to flout the public instruction of the president that ministers who presented memos at the FEC should stay behind to brief the media.
v. You may also recall that a battery of doctors complete with their paraphernalia escorted the president to the National Assembly last year to stand by as he delivered the budget and you may also recall that some pundits have revealed that the crisis between the Senate and the house on who should host the budget delivery by the president was contrived to provide an escape for the president who was reportedly physically unable to perform this formal task.
vi. Finally, the current condition of the president has created a dangerous situation whereby no one is in charge of the affairs of the State contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
As responsible and concerned individuals from every part of Nigeria, we call on President Umaru Yar'Adua to immediately choose the honorable option of either:
(a) resigning his office immediately, or
(b) If he is confident of his true physical condition, request the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office. This honorable step will enable the Senate President to appoint a Medical Panel to confirm the fitness or otherwise of the President to continue in office.
As President Yar'Adua's compatriots and part of his larger Nigerian family, we sympathize with him and believe that his health should be given priority attention. At the same time, the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised. Indeed, the Constitution has rightly envisaged the situation in which the country has found itself.
In any event, we are of the view that the President should immediately and unconditionally hand over to the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to complete the current term of office, and conduct the next general elections on the basis of the report of the electoral reform committee headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.
SR is creating another category for "NIGERIANS WHO ENDORSE THIS PRESS STATEMENT."
Please e-mail us your NAME (no aliases, screen names or Internet handles)and LOCATION and your names will be added to this list periodically.
Email: [email protected] (we won't publish your e-mail address) also a FACEBOOK page has been created for facebook users Click here>>>: Yar'adua Resign Now!
Signed:
(1) Alhaji Balarabe Musa
(2) Chief Olu Falae
(3) Senator Ken Nnamani
(4) Alhaji Aminu Masari
(5) Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd)
(6) Chief John Odigie Oyegun
(7) Dr. Tunji Braithwaite
(8) Col. Abubakar Umaru (Rtd)
(9) Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN)
(10) Alhaji Buba Galadima
(11) Hon. Olawale Oshun
(12) Dr. Usman Bugaje
(13) Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri
(14) Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
(15) Mr. Femi Falana
(16) Mr. Yinka Odumakin
(17) Alhaji Sadiq Yar’Adua
(18) Hon. Adamu Farouk Aliyu
(19) Chief Jos Ayomike
(20) Hajia Naja’atu Muhammeed
(21) Dr (Mrs) Joe Okei-Odumakin
(22) Ms. Annkio Briggs
(23) Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose
(24) Chief Supo Shonibare
(25) Mr. Odia Ofeimun
(26) Hon. Lawal Garuba
(27) Mr. Biodun Sowunmi
(28) Hon (Dr) Ishaq Kurufi
(29) Hon. Uche Onyeagocha
(30) Hon. Bashir Idrs Nadabo
(31) Mr. Kayode Ogundamisi
(32) Saint George Eke
(33) Mr. Bamidele Aturu
(34) Prof. Sola Adeyeye
(35) Mr. Osita Okechukwu
(36) Hon (Dr) Haruna Yerima
(37) Mr. Anselem Odinkhalu
(38) Mr. Akintoye Branco-Rhodes
(39) Hon. (Dr) Almajiri Gaidam
(40) Alhaji Amitolu Shittu
(41) Mallam Uba Sani
(42) Barrister Supo Ojo
(43) Barrister Sani Hussaini Garun-Gabbas
(44) Mr. Festus Okoye (45) Mallam Salihu Lukman (46) Dr Sam Amadi
(47) Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni
(48) Alhaji Kabir Yahaya (49) Hon. Awwal Tukur
(50) Mallam Tanko Yinusa
(51) Mallam Nasir Kura
(52) Achike Chude
(53) Mr. Iboroma Akpana
(54) Mr. Morakinyo Ogele
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(55) Dr. Pat Utomi
OTHER NIGERIANS WHO ENDORSE THIS PRESS STATEMENT :
Name: Location:
1. Obinna Charles Aligwekwe - Nigeria (The President should do the right thing and resign!!!!!!!)
2. DENNIS OMORUYI -London
3. Ajadi Falolu-Lagos
4. Elebuwe Stanley-Amechi Rivers State
5. Adebayo Omisore- Chicago Illinois
6.Ahmeed Oladele Alubankudi-United Kingdom.
7.Prince Victor Adefila (JP).......United Kingdom
8.OLUFUNSO OLUBUNMI ATIBA -DUBLIN (Mr Yar dua, Please resign, health is wealth)
9. Arnold Obomanu Brighton, UK
10. Zainab MD-United Kingdom
11. VICTOR D.WESLEY-MANUEL-Nigeria
12. Oluwatoyin - Oladejo-Vienna ,Austria.
13.UDUAKABASI ESSIEN-ABUJA, NIGERIA
14. LAWRENCE UMOREN - LONDON, UK
15.Kayode Yusuf - Minnesota - USA.
16.Oluleye B. Ajileye -Ibadan
17. MONICA UME-LONDON.
18. Lasun Lajide, York, UK.
19. OSUNDEKO ADEOLU-NOTTINGHAM, UK
20. Michael Arigbede Harrison, California, USA
21.Ola Onikoyi Jr. -London UK ( Yardu'a Resign Now)
22. Ayobami Suberu from Ibadan, Nigeria
23. Igwe Akobuije Stanley -London, UK
24. Nubi Achebo, Illinois, USA
25. MR. TEMITOPE OYEBODE. NIGERIA
26.Fubara, Shed - Alberta, Canada
27.Emmanuel Iko Ojotu, London
28.Mr. Daniel Irivboje Akerejah-Somerset, New Jersey USA
29.EFOGHOR OMOBUDE FESTUS-SPAIN
30.Emmanuel Okoegwale.
31.Nzekwe Asugha south Africa
32.Frank Osawe, resident in Kassel, Germany.
33.Dr Oladapo Lawal::::::::::::::::::::Dublin, Ireland
34.COMRADE AJU OLUWASEYI-Oxford, United Kingdom
35.Frederick Oluwole DAVID,VIENNA-AUSTRIA.
36.Adekunle Adeyemi, Chicago, Illinois
37.Olufemi Owamoboye(UK).
38.John Ogbu -UK
39.Austin Okoh, Nigeria
40.Kayode Tayo (USA)
41.Oluwatobi Alabi Walker- Reston, Virginia, USA
42.Dr Francis Omohwo, U.K,
43.Ndianabasi Udonkang in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
44.Abubakar Adamu-West midland, UK.
45.Isaiah O. Oladeji, PhD, Florida, USA
46.Abraham Idowu
47.Olawale Ajayi-The Netherlands
48.Abiye Iyo, Jackson, MS USA
49.Idowu Ohioze- Edmonton, Canada
50.Dr Abdulrahim Abdulrasheed - Abuja, Nigeria.
51.Jon Ross-United Kingdom
52.Mr. Obichimendum Chikwauzom Awunor-(London), UK.
54.Emmanuel Iko Ojotu,London
55.Rosanwo Babatunde
56.ADINOYI OJO ONUKABA, Nigeria
57.EDWIN BAIYE-KATY, TX
58.Iroanya Charles Eze-Kiel, Germany
59.Mr. Emeka Onwuje, London, UK.
60.Engr. Frank Eze-PHC, Nigeria
61.Sunday Njokede- The European Union
62.Chukwu, C.C-Rivers State
63.Chiedu Ike-Enugu
64.SALISU YAHAYA-KANO, Nigeria.
65.Erasmus Chiedozie Frank Emejulu, Netherlands
66.TOLA ADENLE-Ibadan, Nigeria
67.Temitope Balogun- Lagos, Nigeria
68.Hon Garba Usman-Katsina State House of Assembly
69.Kene Okey - London, UK
70.Adebiyi Adeleye, MN, USA.
71.Osayande Osaren (London, UK)
72.Nwachukwu Egbunike-Ibadan, Nigeria
73.Dr. Oyakhire Trinidad and Tobago
74. UKRAKPO HENRY-FRANCE
75.Sylvester Onoyona Atlanta Georgia USA
76.Ahaoma Kanu-Ikeja, Lagos State
77.Dr. Lawson Jaja-New York, USA
78.Stanley E. Ogboru resident in Canada
79.Godson E. Stanley-Port Harcourt, Nigeria
80. Rev. Olufemi Alabi - New York, USA
81.STEVE MADOJEMU - REP. OF IRELAND
82.Alli sheriffdeen Abiola-Oyo-state
83.Ayodele A. Obaro-Maryland, USA
84.Mohammed Mohammed Buhari-Lancaster, United Kingdom
85.GABRIEL NOFIEKHOR OGBEIFUN-SOUTH AFRICA
86.Muyiwa Allen-Taylor, Taji, Iraq
87.Ayo Diran- Edmonton, Canada
88.Olarewaju Michael- Nigeria
89.ABRAHAM 'TOYIN OGUNJIMI
90.Engr.BABATUNDE AYENI-Liverpool, UK
91.Gbolahan Okunade, PhD -Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
92.OTUNBA KAYODE ONAFADEJI, fnipr-DALLAS, TEXAS, USA.
93.Akintunde Akinola Menlo Park, California.
94.Femi Pedro- London, UK
95.Dr Soba Olufemi - United States.
96.Dr Mustapha Umar Imam- Malaysia
97. Lanre Adebayo-Toronto Ontario, Canada
98. Dr Soba Olufemi - United States
99. Adekunle Waheed Adeyemi- Albany New-York
100. Femi Pedro, London.
101. Dr Soba Olufemi - United States
102.MARTINS IHESIABA
103.Nimi Sunju -Cyprus
104. Epundu B Onochie-Port Harcourt Rivers state
105. OBIAGELI IKOKU-Nigeria
106. Nnadozie Benson Ezekaku- India
107. AKIODE OLALEKAN -PORTHARCOURT
108. SAMUEL OLUSEGUN KOLADE (LAGOS)
109. Gboyega Atoyebi- Abuja
110. Kola Olutomilayo, LL.M-Lagos, Nigeria
111.Darlington Ifedayo Olusola Surrey United Kingdom
112.Alexander Orji- Port Harcourt, Nigeria
113.Sophie Price -England
114. Dr. Nwafili Sylvanus Anene- China
115. VICTOR S NWABUEZE- OJO, LAGOS
116. CHRISTINA SIMON-APAPA, LAGOS.
117. MAYOR E NDI- SURULERE LAGOS
118. Adewale Ogunbiyi - Manchester,UK
119. Bamidele Bello - Lagos, Nigeria.
120. Akin Ayeni-Woodbury, MN,USA
121. Abdurrazaq Aikawa- Kano-Nigeria
122. Mukhtar Kabir Usman
123. Dr Patrick Kolawole Awosan Boboye, Halifax, Canada
124. Honourable Patrick Kayode- Canada
125. Oluwole Williams-Canada
126. Olayinka Kolawole-Canada
128. Adetola Kolawole-Canada
129. Kolade Kolawole-Canada
130. Folayemi Kolawole-Canada
131. Tolulope Kolawole-Canada
132. Oladeji Kolawole Awosan-Canada
133. Folorunsho Ataki-Canada
134. Oluwasoji Kolawole-Canada
135. Garba Shehu- Abuja, Nigeria
136. Sonala Olumhense- New York, USA
137. Gani Apena-London, UK
138. Abdul-Aziz Babatunde Jimoh
139. Carl Kash UK
140. Charles Jiduwah-UK
142. Sulaimon Oladimeji Balogun-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
143. Olabisi Latifat Sanni-Saba-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
144. DEMOLA ATOYEBI -U K.
145. Nwamadi Nnamdi-Lagos.
146. Dr. Kofi Johnson, USA
147. John Pius Osuagwu
148.Bola Ilori-Akure Ondo State
149.Nwamadi Nnamdi-Lagos.
150.NWABUGWU OKEY ANTHONY - Warri, Delta state
151.Ms Ngukwase Surma-Nigeria
152.Gani Apena-London, UK
153. DEMOLA ATOYEBI -U K.
154.John Abayomi Oladele-London
155.Mr. Egbuonu Godwin Iyke-Ikeja Lagos Nigeria
156.AKUBO, Zacchaeus-Abuja
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