Yar’adua: From the horse’s mouth
My comment here will solely dwell on the texts of Aondoakaa’s “chest-beating” research as regards the brief periods when power was voluntarily (albeit temporarily) transferred to vice presidents in the United States of America. The first instance was on July 13, 1985 when President Ronald Regan underwent surgery to remove cancerous substance from his colon. […]
My comment here will solely dwell on the texts of Aondoakaa’s “chest-beating” research as regards the brief periods when power was voluntarily (albeit temporarily) transferred to vice presidents in the United States of America.
The first instance was on July 13, 1985 when President Ronald Regan underwent surgery to remove cancerous substance from his colon. Then Vice-President George H W Bush acted as President from 11.28am until 7.22pm of the same day.
The second was on the 29th of June 2002 when President George W Bush (Junior) declared himself temporarily unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office because he was undergoing a surgery. Vice- President Dick Cheney acted as the President for a little over two hours i.e. from 7.09am to 9.24am.
Lastly, on July 22, 2007 under the same circumstances of 2002 invocation, President George W Bush had to undergo another surgery, and Vice-President Cheney acted as President from 7.16am to 9.21am of the same day.
The three instances involved letters to be transmitted to the respective Speakers of the House of Representatives and President Pro-tempo of the Senate, declaring incapacity, and also a second letter to be transmitted before the resumption of the powers of the President. What Aondoakaa however failed to enlighten us on is what to do if President Yar’adua refuses to tow the path of reason by adhering to the letters of the constitution. Is Aondoakaa saying that the fate of 150 million Nigerians be mortgaged on Yar’adua (finding it in his heart) to do the right thing?
The foregoing instances of transfers of power due to incapacity, incapability or unavailability of the US presidents were all within a 24-hour time period. Now compare this time-lag information to the glaring incapability and unavailability of Yar’adua’s. Now over 1,440 hours – and still counting. Note here that the emphasis is on the period President Yar’adua has been out and not on his suitability as a person, his intellectual ability/capability and surely, not his sincerity of purpose in running the affairs of Nigeria.
A look-up of the treatment process/course of acute pericarditis via Wikipedia revealed that it is a potentially lethal procedure that should be carried out using echocardiographic guidance in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. In addition, it advices that resuscitation equipment must be at hand, i.e, IV sedation (e.g, morphine 0.1 mg/kg or meperidine 1 mg/kg plus midazolam 3 to 5 mg). Thus, President Yar’adua must have been sedated for quite a number of times during the course of this very painful treatment. The question therefore for Aondoakaa (and his FEC colleagues) is if President Yar’adua was advised to temporarily (albeit briefly) transfer power to his Vice while he remained medically knocked out? In fact, the process of the transfer of power and the resumption of same can be repeatedly carried out and communicated to relevant state officials by fax.
However, beyond this is the fear and calculation (by the president’s inner caucus), that power could be wrested out of the hands of Yar’adua whose request of resumption could be denied on the basis of his being adjudged medically unfit to continue to be the president by both the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate. But should such calculations, combinations and permutations be the driving forces in a case this critical and that impact greatly on the economic and developmental well-being of Nigeria?
While I’m sure President Yar’adua has the best medical team and facilities at his disposal, the Wikipedia findings clearly indicate the seriousness and complicated nature of the treatment course for acute pericarditis. Thus, whilst positions could be taken in support or against the pronouncements and advice of Obasanjo, the timing, purpose and supposed inherent deceptiveness therein, I think the issue actually boils down to taking the path of honour and integrity by the core players here – especially President Yar’adua himself and his “inner kitchen” cabinet.
I would reiterate (once again), that none of the comments I have read on this issue (past and present), have ever prayed, nor wished for the president’s death. Comments on the vexed issue of the president’s ill-health have always been advices for him to resign in order to take care of his deteriorating health condition. It is pertinent to state here that excessive comment(s) here have only gone to show the frustration(s) of commentator(s) as to why someone would be so sick, yet doggedly hold on to the reins of power. Be reminded that the hectic and difficult task of steering the ship of a country as diverse and vast as Nigeria would surely take its toll on even the young, strong and healthy.
I pray President Yar’adua regains his health and is discharged from hospital — today if possible. But going forward, would it honestly be advisable for him to be saddled and bogged down with the multi-faceted problems of Nigeria on his discharge? My answer is a resounding NO! My “NO” here is principally premised on his health condition, the risk of a relapse, the desire to see him live a long and fulfilled life, and the all important need for Nigeria and Nigerians to have an always-present and healthy president — nothing else.
My sincere advice to the ruling and opposition parties and all other stakeholders in Nigeria is not to stampede President Yar’adua out of office. Apart from preserving the dignity of the presidential institution, there is need to preserve the dignity of Yar’adua as a person and as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this light, efforts should be geared towards creating a dignified and honorary exit strategy that would stand the test of time. Such strategy should aim to showcase Yar’adua as a visionary president who puts Nigeria and Nigerians above personal and selfish gains/grasp for power in the troubled waters of nation building and economic advancement.
Abayomi wrote in from Dublin, Republic of Ireland