Dead or Alive? The tale of two Nigerian Presidents.

So this happens to be my first post this year, and one may wonder why I choose to write on this subject among the many issues that beg for attention in today's Nigeria. Well, before I give any explanation, i would wish you all my very articulate readers the very best of the year 2017. And I hope also that you make more comments on this blog in the new year...

History doesn't always repeat itself. But many are fearful that might just be the case, especially with the 10day vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the UK and the various suspicions trailing this 'silent' vacation. On the 23rd November 2009, Late President Umar Musa Yar' Adua departed Nigeria on a similar vacation and medical checkup in Saudi Arabia. What was supposed to take just a few days or maybe weeks, latest for several months, without any formal communication to Nigerians the state of their own elected representative. In fact, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, on 22 January 2010, gave the Federal Executive Council (FEC) fourteen days to decide a resolution on whether Yar'Adua was "incapable of discharging the functions of his office". When the silence persisted, with its attendant unfortunate controversies, the Upper house of the National Assembly, on 9th February 2010, invoked the "doctrine of necessity" and transferred Presidential Powers to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, declaring him Acting President, with all the accompanying powers, until Yar'Adua returned to full health.

On Tuesday Jan. 17, President Buhari wrote to the Senate informing the 'red chamber' of his intention to go on a "short medical vacation" from January 23rd to February 6th, in accordance with the Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, also stating that his Vice; Professor Yemi Osinbajo would "perform the functions of my office" while on vacation. Nigerians have since began to speculate that President Buhari is too sick to continue in office, some have even gone as far as pronouncing him dead.

Many have asked my views on the issue, and here is what I think; first, it is too early for panic and speculations as the medical vacation period has not elapsed, we can begin those speculations if on February 6th we are told that the vacation has been extended. Secondly, President Buhari stated clearly in his letter to the Senate that his Vice would act as President while he is away, so we are not afraid of an interregnum as it was in the case of Late President Yar' Adua. Thirdly, and more sentimental, I strongly recommend that we all pray and wish our dear President Buhari quick recovery and safe return to duty, as he has a country to fix. It would be unfair that he led us this far into recession to leave us here, that's on a lighter note. So on my own behalf, I wish President Muhammadu Buhari a quick recovery and safe return to duty...

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