Yar’adua may return next week

Another source said persons close to the President have also been sighted performing prayers normally performed just before leaving the Holy Land. “This perhaps fuelled the speculation that [Mr. President] has already returned,” the source added. President Yar’adua has been absent for more than a month and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has been presiding over […]

Another source said persons close to the President have also been sighted performing prayers normally performed just before leaving the Holy Land. “This perhaps fuelled the speculation that [Mr. President] has already returned,” the source added.

President Yar’adua has been absent for more than a month and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has been presiding over cabinet meetings, even though executive powers were not officially transferred. As Yar’adua’s absence stretched on, political analysts, senior lawyers and even a former U.S. envoy continued to raise questions. But in yesterday’s New Year’s Day address to Nigerians, Jonathan said he was hopeful that Yar’adua, who is in hospital in Saudi Arabia, would return soon.

Jonathan said: “Although Mr. President has been away from us for some time on account of a medical condition, he has maintained sustained interest and optimism regarding the various challenges, as well as the possibilities available to us as a nation.”

Yar’adua is the first president in the nation’s history that has not been able to address the nation directly on New Year’s Day on account of indisposition.