NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Nigeria: A Vote For An Acting President Or Impeachment?

By Kali Gwegwe

Events following the hospitalization of President Yar’Adua at King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia have clearly unmasked the nature of truth. It has shown that truth is very bitter. People believe and speak the truth not because they do not have tongues. They stand by the truth mainly for the good of the future. Speaking the truth is like sowing seeds. On the other hand, many do not like truth because it does not support injustice and illegality.

Every action of man and society has elements of truth and falsehood. It is very true that President Yar’Adua is human and should therefore be excused for falling sick. Despite the strong argument by some persons in and outside government that the absence of the president from office for more than two months did not create any power vacuum, it was noticeable that the Nigerian federal bureaucracy was being hampered. For the first time in the history of the nation, the Chief Judge of the Federation was sworn-in by a retiring Chief Judge. In the same vein, Federal Permanent Secretaries could not be sworn-in all because the vice president had no powers to do same. There were other functions the vice president could not perform by virtue of the presidential power vacuum. That was the reason why the 2009 Supplementary Budget was taken to President Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia to endorse. Why was it not given to Goodluck Jonathan to sign if there was indeed no power vacuum? This is the main element of falsehood in President Yar’Adua’s illness. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Like I have highlighted in several of my other publications concerning the current political developments in the country, there is a huge misunderstanding of the real meaning of loyalty. The National Pledge is very clear about this:

I pledge to Nigeria my country; To faithful, loyal and honest; To serve Nigeria with all my strength; To defend her unity; So help me God.

What many government officials have been doing is a misdirected loyalty to President Yar’Adua. Nigeria is bigger than any one individual. Before the intervention of the National Assembly, some self-seeking politicians, traditional rulers, and socio-cultural organisations were almost making a dictator out of Yar’Adua by encouraging him to hang on to power at all cost. By not formally handing over power temporarily to his vice, President Yar’Adua was indirectly doing a disservice to his office and country, which he has sworn to defend. It is unpatriotic for any one to argue that the country should stand still and wait for one man. The main aim of political leadership is to secure the mandate of the electorates to offer quality leadership. It is not to advance and protect parochial interests. All the noise about power sharing agreement is aimed at protecting mostly tribal interests. No healthy country; built on the pillars of justice, fair play, and the rule of law would choose tribal sentiments ahead of noble principles- integrity and patriotism.

It is necessary to point out that in July 1985, President Roland Reagan of the United States temporarily handed over power to Vice President George Bush to enable him attend to his health. Between 2002 and 2007, the junior Bush; as president of the United States also handed over power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney twice when he was to undergo medical procedure at Camp David- the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Presidential spokesperson, Tony Snow had told reporters then that, “Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as acting president until the president notifies authorities that he is ready to reassume his powers.” This is a fine example of a decent democratic culture- free of tribal and political sentiments. This is what Due Process and Rule of Law really mean. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria

By attempting to cling onto power at all cost, President Yar’Adua was indirectly saying he does not believe in the spirit of presidential democracy. Apart from tribal sentiments; there was actually no reason why a president cannot trust his vice with power. It becomes even more disturbing with a personality like Goodluck Jonathan; who has an intimidating record of humility. President Yar’Adua therefore never needed to nurse whatever fears about officially handing over power temporarily to his vice. The insinuation by the former Attorney-General, Michael Aaondoakaa that the vice president was already empowered to perform presidential duties was a lie. If not so, why was the 2009 Supplementary Budget flown to Saudi Arabia for the president’s assent? Why was Goodluck Jonathan not asked to swear-in the incumbent Chief Judge of the federation?

On the issue of legality of the actions of the National Assembly in conferring acting presidentship on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I make bold to state that the legislators were only being nice, and at the same time chosen an option that will promote the unity of the country. Ordinarily, the president was supposed to have been sanctioned severely for refusing to officially informing the National Assembly of his long absence from office due to ill-health. This writer believes that notifying the National Assembly of his inability to carry out constitutional presidential duties for the time being would have left the presidency on the laps of Goodluck Jonathan. To avoid this, all sorts of tricks were employed. Unfortunately, the National Assembly refused to ignore the wisdom that is buried in the shallow grave of common sense.

It is the aim of every government to promote peace, unity, and progress of man and society. If the Nigerian people; through their representatives in the National Assembly believes the essence of government would be met by making the vice president an acting president, so let it be. What we need to do now is to pray for the quick recovery of President Yar’Adua and also encourage Goodluck Jonathan to deliver on the dividend of democracy pending the return and assumption of work by the president.

Lets us as individuals and groups not play roles or take positions that will not promote the growth of democracy in this country. Posterity will not forgive us if we fail to unite this country because of our parochial interests.

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar'Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb