February 23, 2010
Confusion reigned at the Presidential Villa in Abuja early today as members of the Federal Executive Council that earlier gathered for a 10 AM weekly meeting could not sit. Since his secretive arrival last night no one has publicly acknowledged seeing ailing Nigerian leader Umaru Yar’adua.
Saharareporters had reported that **Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, was told by members of Yar’adua’s “Kitchen Cabinet” not to preside over today’s FEC meeting since their principal is now back in Abuja.
Today’s FEC meeting, which ought to have debated Yar’adua’s health status was billed to start at 10 AM, the meeting did not hold as minister’s milled around the Presidential Villa premises discussing in groups. At 12 noon, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Ahmed Yayale, who was on a delegation to Riyadh sauntered into the Villa and announced that the FEC meeting has been postponed till 2 PM and he urged his colleagues to meet at the Conference Room of the Acting President.
Meanwhile the US government has issued a strong statement condemning efforts by associates of Yar'adua to place their personal ambition above the interest of stability and continuity.
STATEMENT BY JOHNNIE CARSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE
BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS
PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA’S RETURN TO NIGERIA
The United States welcomes the news of President Yar’Adua’s return to Nigeria. We hope that his health is sufficient to enable him to fully resume his official duties. Nigeria needs a strong, healthy, and effective leader to ensure the stability of the country and to manage Nigeria’s many political, economic, and security challenges. Recent reports, however, continue to suggest that President Yar’Adua’s health remains fragile and that he may still be unable to fulfill the demands of his office.
We hope that President Yar’Adua’s return to Nigeria is not an effort by his senior advisors to upset Nigeria’s stability and create renewed uncertainty in the democratic process. Nigeria is an extraordinarily important country to its friends and partners, and all of those in positions of responsibility should put the health of the President and the best interests of the country and people of Nigeria above personal ambition or gain. As a nation of 150 million people, Nigeria’s democracy and its continued adherence to constitutional rule should be the highest priority.
Saharareporters had reported that **Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, was told by members of Yar’adua’s “Kitchen Cabinet” not to preside over today’s FEC meeting since their principal is now back in Abuja.
Today’s FEC meeting, which ought to have debated Yar’adua’s health status was billed to start at 10 AM, the meeting did not hold as minister’s milled around the Presidential Villa premises discussing in groups. At 12 noon, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Ahmed Yayale, who was on a delegation to Riyadh sauntered into the Villa and announced that the FEC meeting has been postponed till 2 PM and he urged his colleagues to meet at the Conference Room of the Acting President.
Meanwhile the US government has issued a strong statement condemning efforts by associates of Yar'adua to place their personal ambition above the interest of stability and continuity.
STATEMENT BY JOHNNIE CARSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE
BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS
PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA’S RETURN TO NIGERIA
The United States welcomes the news of President Yar’Adua’s return to Nigeria. We hope that his health is sufficient to enable him to fully resume his official duties. Nigeria needs a strong, healthy, and effective leader to ensure the stability of the country and to manage Nigeria’s many political, economic, and security challenges. Recent reports, however, continue to suggest that President Yar’Adua’s health remains fragile and that he may still be unable to fulfill the demands of his office.
We hope that President Yar’Adua’s return to Nigeria is not an effort by his senior advisors to upset Nigeria’s stability and create renewed uncertainty in the democratic process. Nigeria is an extraordinarily important country to its friends and partners, and all of those in positions of responsibility should put the health of the President and the best interests of the country and people of Nigeria above personal ambition or gain. As a nation of 150 million people, Nigeria’s democracy and its continued adherence to constitutional rule should be the highest priority.
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