Open Letter To Mrs. Turai Yar’adua: A Bell Needs Its Tongue
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- Category: Guest
- Published on Saturday, 02 January 2010 03:36
- Written by Victor Chendekemen Yakubu
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Her Excellency,
The Honourable First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua; we know that your husband, current President of Nigeria and Grand Commander of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCON is sick on admission at the King Faisal Special Hospital & Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All Nigerians, Africa and well wishers from the international community have been calling on God to heal your husband, our president.
Everybody knows that his reign has not yielded much for Nigeria due to ill-health and this is having a devastating toll on Nigeria. We sympathize with him. Yet Nigerians know that your husband means well, being a just man, unassuming, straight-forward and devoted to the cause of developing Nigeria with his seven-point agenda and Vision 20/2020. Were it not for his ill-health, he would have been doing so much to achieve his set objectives as commander-in-chief and No. 1 citizen of our nation.
Nonetheless, everybody sympathizes with him and with you particularly for your diligence, love and concern for your husband. Nothing could be important as this time of your marital life than to give him your all and your best. Were people endowed with powers more than praying for him, many would have done something to put him back on his feet. However, many people sympathize with you and wish you all the courage you need at this trying moment.
Nobody falls sick on his own accord and nobody prays to be sick especially when that person is a president of a nation; a nation so multi-faceted like Nigeria; a nation on the move seeking minute by minute attention because of its volatile nature. Your husband’s ailment is not of his own accord but what fate has brought to him.
This affects your family on two grounds: he’s not able to undertake his matrimonial responsibilities as father and husband; secondly he’s temporarily incapacitated from actualizing his dreams of making your family the proud family that it should be. But do not forget, he has been a success. He was Governor of Katsina State and by cheer act of luck or divine design he’s now president of over 150million people. Every woman will envy such a woman behind such a man with powers to make or mar anything.
His sickness affects your role as mother because you cannot consult with him on decisive issues affecting you or your family. He’s livid, unconscionable and vegetative waiting for the Will of God. When things were rosy, normal and undisturbed by sickness, you consulted each other on issues of your family and common things between husband and wife. That is the sanctity of your marital life.
I am very sure you have had a successful marriage with your husband. Your success can be measured in the fact that you are a mother, a proud mother-in-law and a grandmother. No woman takes this for granted. For you to have seen your grand-children is enough blessing to be grateful to God for His unbounded love.
While I praise your efforts at making sure your husband is given the best medical treatment in a foreign hospital, I equally draw your attention to the position of your husband in the politics of our great country Nigeria. Nigeria needs attention just like your husband. The way your husband is sick, so is Nigeria sick from many ailment seeking solutions.
Each time you look at the undisturbed, serene face of your husband as he lies on his bed, that should afford you the opportunity to view Nigeria with the opposite attributes of chaos, anxiety and uncertainty. Your husband is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. His attention is needed like a hole in the head every minute.
On your personal level, you have transformed from being a wife of the president into the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a mother to all Nigerians. You are the heart of the first family as mother of Nigeria and your passion can make the difference in our national life. Your role in nation building is as important as that of your husband. Behind every successful man is a woman; and you that woman behind the success of our nation and of your husband, our president. So many things depend on your motherly instinct to move forward knowing that you can never wish anything bad to come over Nigeria. Remember how you have applied this instinct in moments of great stress to salvage your family.
I am very sure you used your wealth of experience justifiably to warrant accolades from your children, your husband and extended family. Your children can look back and remind you of those childhood troubles of which you advised them accordingly. From May 2007 you assumed a new prestigious position of mother of Nigeria, model for all mothers and salient adviser to your husband on national issues. This new role is your chance to set posterity rolling with praiseworthy paragraphs in the annals of history about your motherly counsel.
The area that you must receive kudos is in taking adequate care of your husband in the hospital. Nobody can reward you for that only God. I hear that you edit those willing to see him as he lies in is sick bed. I hear that even some respected members of his family are not able to see him or at least view his condition while he’s recuperating. I can understand this because I know how people from the north of Nigeria swarm to hospitals to see a loved one. They love long greetings in hospitals out of concern but this is not what everybody wants now. For those unable to see him physically, just continue to tell them jiki yayi sauki, mun gode Allah; he’s better by God’s grace. They will understand.
I know that not every member of his immediate family is privileged to visit in Saudi Arabia, so with cell phone telephony, the calls could be too much to handle. Thank God, Saudi Arabia is a country where many individuals are barred by definition of their faith; the political traffic to view him is reduced. This has reduced your workload in terms of those who visit to wish him well. However, since he’s the president of Nigeria, we need to get a true picture of what is happening to Mr. President.
Nigerians need to see him even if it’s his picture while he’s recuperating; or hear from you what the true position of his health is. In this age of hightech this hsould be no qualms. By the way, acute pericarditis is a serious medical condition that needs special attention. He needs careful medical attention since hospitals in Nigeria can be careless in dealing with patients; it’s a wise decision he's on admission in a special medical centre. Recent investigations question his whereabout. Tell Nigerians something. It’s taking a long time to hear something. Let's know how our prayers are working.
Nigerians have been told that your husband was away for six months while Governor of Katsina State. At that time, it did not assume national attention since it was only a state, but this has to do with national security, prestige and common sense. Katsina State indigenes know how the state fared in his absence and only them can tell their stories. But we know that this was a long period for a Chief Executive of a state to be away. Barely a month in his absence, Nigeria is running down. Nigeria is running on quarter tank of fuel. Many things are wrong and Nigerians are getting polarized on many issues. Can you not see what his absence is causing? Do you not care that Nigeria is getting ridiculed?
Her Excellency, let me show you one point of devastating consequence. The recent event is the shame that Umar Farouk Abdul Muttalab, a young man of 23 years brought to Nigeria through intended terrorism. He tried but failed to bring down an Airbus 330 with 300 souls within American soil. He’s from the same state with your husband, the president. This is disgraceful, dishonourable and a bad omen in the months ahead. Were your husband healthy and around, he should have addressed an international press conference to assuage the international community of Nigeria’s zeal to fight terrorism like the rest of the world. As you well know terrorism is a crime that kills a country’s aspirations and gradually renders it leprous, a pariah.
Remember dear First Lady, before this shameless act by this baby faced terrorist from Funtua, the Federal Executive Council chaired by your husband, the president, has been disorientated on how to go about many issues. The clapper in their bell has been removed and they cannot jingle. They are confused about many issues and Nigerians are more confused about all issues and the international community does not know who to believe.
Members of the Federal Executive Council love your husband and they have been doing everything possible to defend his position as president. They fear to make mistakes else they are blamed or punished. They are appointed to do exactly what they are doing – cover up until he returns. Nobody can blame them. But you know what? So many times they are disillusioned about what to tell Nigerians. Remember the case of Babagana Kingibe, your husband’s first Secretary to the Federal Government? He was fired for breaching protocol and telling Nigerians what they should not hear about your husband’s ailment first time he went for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Every official now is careful not to be misquoted or misinterpreted as doing something against the position of your husband. They count their teeth with their tongues before they say anything to Nigerians. In the midst of these events, Nigeria suffers terribly from lack of direction due to your husband’s absence. I am very sure all mothers understand your situation because you love your husband and you are standing by him.
Nigeria is dying in bits with the absence of your husband. Imagine this, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria; Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the new President of the Court of Appeal Justice Isa Ayo Salami have been sworn-in while the president is away. This is his prerogative as president. The Minister of Justice of Nigeria and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa says one thing today and changes to another tomorrow. Nigerians are tired of his kitty-catty behaviour. Nigerians do not know what to expect from him next because he sways like a balloon on a string.
Mr. President’s absence is causing constitutional debacles of monumental catastrophe. The National Assembly is torn between the devil and the deep blue sea on what to do. Since his departure for treatment over a month now, Sections 5, 141, 144,145, 146, 156 of our constitution have been quoted several times to support arguments for Vice President Jonathan Goodluck to function as acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This has been thwarted by elements sympathetic to your husband’s rule and misleading reports that your husband did not write formally to the National Assembly. This is sad to hear. The result of this is that there’s nobody to give Nigerians the right direction. Even the ministers are misbehaving in their own ways discrediting their exalted positions.
Recently the VP ordered some top shots at the petroleum ministry to stay put and ease the incessant fuel crisis characteristic of every end of year in Nigeria. Dr. Rilwan Lukman the honourable minister at the helm of affairs took-off to Austria to enjoy a holiday while Nigeria suffers long queues at the filling stations. The office of the VP is ridiculed and undermined with an act that only happens in Nigeria. This alone is insubordination to the office of VP and demands appropriate punishment. This should be noted Her Excellency because they occur at the reign of your husband, our president.
The signing of 2009 Appropriation and Supplementary Budget Bill has been difficult without your husband, the president. For over five weeks now there’s no end in sight on how to go about this. Everybody has been waiting for your husband to return and sign the bill. Now the year is ended and I hear that the bill has been taken for him to sign on his sick bed. I laugh at this development.
If your husband is able to read this bill of over 400 pages and sign then he should as well return to his table at Aso rock Villa and sign more files needing his attention. Moments ago Nigerians have been told that your husband has signed the Bill in Saudi Arabia after his principal secretary David Edevbhie returned with his purported signature. But Nigerians are miffed, could this be real or another joke played on Nigerians?
Nigerians are held hostage and you can help in innumerable ways. This is the reason why this letter is addressed to you. As mother of Nigerians and lover of Nigeria, I know you have passion for justice like your husband has passion for rule of law and due process. I know that your heart is passionate about developing this country’s fortunes and I know that you can listen to a good advice knowing that posterity will judge your actions.
Please save Nigeria from international disgrace and persuade your husband the president of Nigeria to allow the VP Jonathan Goodluck unrestrained powers to assume the position of acting president pending the return of your husband within the limits of the constitution. You may say that you are not concerned about whatever happens in Nigeria’s politics, but you have fallen into it since you have unimpeded access to your husband.
You have come to be respected as a silent politician in your own right, assuming an influential position. This is no mean feat for you from your insignificant position as house wife to First Lady in Nigeria’s politics; you have risen to be the most influential First Lady since the years of late Mrs. Maryam Babangida.
When you prevail on those that matter to follow the constitution, then the VP Jonathan Goodluck will assume the position of acting president which gives opportunity for three things:
So that you take adequate care of your husband in whichever way you deem appropriate. It does not diminish your powerful position as First Lady of Nigeria as long as your husband is safe in Saudi Arabia getting better from his ailment. Whenever he’s recuperated from his health condition, he can return to continue his tenure and warm up for 2011 elections for a second term. Health is wealth.
So that Nigeria can move forward and be like other civilized nations of the world. Nigeria’s progress is deteriorating on a daily basis due to Mr. President’s absence. When the VP Jonathan Goodluck assumes the position of acting President, he will assist in building our country by redirecting on course the ship of state which is drifting afar into unknown. A stitch in time saves nine.
Lastly, so that you will be our hero and history will accord you respect. Once the VP continues your husband’s tenure in office, it is to the credit of your husband who swore to protect the integrity of Nigeria and uphold its constitution. The VP is not to be taken on his merit as Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, but as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His office and that of your husband began concurrently when your husband swore allegiance to Nigeria’s constitution. And the VP knows that no matter how long the neck is, the head is still on top.
The VP needs to function according to the specification of our constitution in relation to the office of your husband, Mr. President. Governance never stops with the absence of one man. He needs to move Nigeria forward and make you proud as well as all Nigerians proud because the duty of nation building does not reside in one man. It’s a collective responsibility and a leader is known to be great when he delegates functions to his subordinates. The joy of leadership is that when one man falls another should be there to continue. This explains why automobiles carry spare tires for emergency cases.
In this case, the VP is a needed assistant to undertake those functions which your husband cannot perform due to ill-health. Certain forces inimical to the growth of Nigeria are said to mislead you with unpatriotic ideas and unrealistic propositions which can render our democracy laughable in the eyes of the world. Do not fall to their bait. Do not follow such counsel as mother of the nation. Your duty at this time is to influence positively those wicked minds coming closer to you to do the wrong things outside the prescriptions of our constitution.
Nigerians know that you are the hero in all this drama. All eyes are watching to see what comes from you. Let’s give the bell its clapper to jingle. If you act on the contrary, you will be confirming what many Nigerians have heard from the rumour mills that you are ambitious. While I pray for your husband’s return soon, I pray for you to bear with the situation as wife, mother, grandmother including being First Lady. I pray for better Nigeria and brand new Mr. President after his solitary days in Saudi Arabia.
