Nigeria and death rumours

Another came like wild fire from faraway Saudi Arabia that President Umaru Yar’adua who had gone for a medical check-up died of his dragging ailment. That as well has turned out to be falsehood attributable to rumour mills. According to the information from government quarters, the president is very much alive and doing fine on […]

Another came like wild fire from faraway Saudi Arabia that President Umaru Yar’adua who had gone for a medical check-up died of his dragging ailment. That as well has turned out to be falsehood attributable to rumour mills. According to the information from government quarters, the president is very much alive and doing fine on his hospital bed.

I have no quarrels if our president or anyone for that matter dies; after all, every mortal must die of something. But my quarrel is with the manner the action and inactions of people in government had fuelled the rumour of his death. Whether you like it or not, it was their fault that created the rumour.  It could now be said that the disagreement between the Senate and House of Representatives over which chamber the president should present his 2010 budget at a joint session was stage-managed to avoid the president from standing for a long time while reading the budget document, as is the norm. If alternatively he should be granted to sit while reading the budget, Nigerians would have been privileged to understand the bad situation of his health.  

Nevertheless, for the president to constantly be rushed out of the country for medical attention at every little incident shows that he has paid only lip service to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

One thing is sure: if PDP should field Umaru Yar’adua for the 2011 elections, there is no Jupiter that would make the party to win the election. Nigerians will ensure that there’ll be no rigging the election this time around. It is reliably gathered that Governor Goje of Gombe State and Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State are planning a joint ticket.

Dr Tarilabo Opuaya, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.