Top Secret: Yar’Adua’s Illness

NIgerians Deserve To Be Informed

The most perplexing part of the Yar’Adua illness saga is the idea of keeping people in the dark about the President’s exact condition. What is the big deal in letting the nation know the health status of their president? I think the President’s image makers have handled the situation badly.

Bartholomew Owoh,
Ikare.

President Umar Yar’Adua’s illness is no longer news. Unfortunately, he has kept the whole nation guessing on his deteriorating state of health. (”Top Secret: Yar’Adua’s Illness,” TheNEWS, 15 September 2008 edition). Though we wish him well, Nigeria is already a sick country, therefore we cannot afford a sick leader.

John Adimasua,
Asaba.

Your story on President Yar’Adua was quite good. At least, you provided perspectives and we are happy about that. Thanks.

Uche James,
Onitsha.

Nigerians should pray for Umar Yar’Adua and by extension, the country. It is disappointing that Nigeria, which is most difficult to govern, would have a sick man as its President. This could only happen through the warped electoral system we operate in the country. Come to think of it, could he have been imposed on us by his predecessor, with the expectation that he, Obasanjo, would be the de facto president, albeit in the background, directing affairs for a handicapped front.

Emeka James,
Aba.

Why is President Yar’Adua keeping the entire nation in the dark about his health? He must have something to hide; if not, then let him come out clean to Nigerians and put a stop to all the speculations.

Abimbola Adeleye,
Ibadan.

A dishonest president is a terrible character and such a man is not fit to lead a nation like Nigeria. Yar’Adua should resign.

Anthony Okafor,
Asaba.

I am not bothered whether Mr. President is sick or not. My concern is how the situation is being managed by the public relations guys in the Presidency. As is the norm in every civilised society, the citizenry needs to be informed of all that happens to their President, but in Nigeria, the reverse is the case.

Tony Agodu,
Gboko.

The Nigerian media should give Mr. President a break. The man came out to declare to the whole nation his state of health. Why are they making a fuss over something that has been dealt with in the past. This is not good for the nation, as such stories would adversely affect the polity.

Amos Awokunle,
Isolo.

It is unfortunate that despite his frail health, President Umar Yar’Adua is still clinging to power. I think he should just return to his family and take care of his health, or else he might just collapse at a state function and embarrass the entire country.

Yakubu Ahmed,
Auchi.

It is unfortunate that the ill-health of President Yar’Adua is not allowing him to appropriately govern this country. I strongly advise him to step down and look for the ultimate solution to his deteriorating state of health before the situation gets to a point of disaster.

Funmi Oluwasanmi,
Alagbado, Lagos.

Now that President Yar’Adua is back from his trip to Saudi Arabia–for lesser hajj as claimed by his aides or for kidney transplant as is widely speculated–let us wait and see if he would soon travel for the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri to cover up for yet another medical check-up.

Kunle Omone,
Ibadan.

It is quite unfortunate that Yar’Adua’s ministers found it difficult to manage the situation concerning his illness. One thing they have failed to realise is that information is a crucial weapon of development. I would like to use this medium to urge the President to replace these ministers because they have failed him as well as the nation. Enough is enough.

John Kolawole,
Somolu, Lagos.

I sincerely believe this is the time for Yar’Adua to step down. Practically because he is sick, the whole nation has been in trouble. As I am writing this letter, I am weeping for my nation, Nigeria, because nothing is currently working. The power sector has finally died. Many industries are closing shop daily. The masses are suffering, yet because Yar’Adua is busy attending to his deteriorating health, he hardly has any time to attend to the urgent needs of the Nigerian people. Please, Yar’Adua, leave us alone and attend to your failing health.

Bimbo Sonaike,
Ijebu-Ode.

Why is Yar’Adua trying to cling to power at all costs? His health is creating a lot of problems for Nigeria. His ministers can’t even find their bearing. It is high time they all realised that history will judge them as selfish people who plunged the nation into unnecessary crisis.

Bayo Sofunke,
Abeokuta.

I think the President is only trying to tread softly because of the volatile nature of politics in Nigeria. If he had told Nigerians the truth about his illness, some opportunists in the political class and the military may have cashed in on it to seize power. We should let sleeping dogs lie.

Efejiro Ogba,
Oleh.

The truth about President Yar’Adua’s illness is that it has made him unfit for the number one position in the polity. The best thing is for him to resign. That is the only way he will be able to take proper care of his health. If I were the President I would rather go back to Katsina than put Nigerians in a state of uncertainty.

Emeka Okafor,
Onitsha.

What actually ails the President? That is a million naira question. And given the nature of Nigerian politics, all the marabouts and soothsayers in the world cannot unravel the mystery surrounding that illness. Nigerians must forget about whether Yar’Adua is fit to rule or not and concentrate on their businesses.

Tom Ogbimi,
Warri.

President Yar’Adua’s illness is not supposed to be a big deal, afterall many leaders have governed their country even from their sick bed. But his illness is generating a lot of controversy because he and his aides have chosen to shroud it in secrecy.

Femi Adisa,
Ibadan.

The truth is that President Yar’Adua is afraid of losing power. That is the reason he does not want to be open about the actual nature of his illness. But he is mistaken because it is only when he tells Nigerians the truth that they will sympathise with him. For now, as the parlance goes, he is on his own.

Efe Omonode,
Benin-City.

Let us not deceive ourselves, it is obvious that all is not well with Yar’Adua, even if his so-called aides refuse to tell us what we already know. Having said that, I believe that Yar’Adua will survive his first term in office. But I fervently pray that he would not be fielded for a second term.

Francis Akinyemi,
Ede.

I am sure that, by now, John Odey, the Minister of Information and Communication would know that he cannot continue to hide the state of health of the President from the Nigerian populace. I advise him to come out clearly with what ails our number one citizen so that we can collectively pray for his quick recovery.

Niyi Onalaja,
Ojuelegba, Lagos.

President Umar Yar’Adua’s constant treatment in overseas hospitals is a source of concern for Nigerians. What he needs most now is prayers. It won’t be out of place for the government to declare a day for the citizens to pray to God to come to the rescue of the number one citizen’s failing health.

Maxwell Atalogbe,
Benin-City.

When will the President’s aides learn not to keep Nigerians in the dark? Afterall, President Yar’Adua is not alone in poor health. At one time or another, everybody is bound to fall ill. As a human being, ill health cannot be ruled out completely, so concealing the ailment of the President and perhaps trying to portray him as a superman is an irresponsible thing to do.

Roseline Awala,
Warri.

What Nigerians are praying for is good health for President Umar Yar’Adua. John Odey, the Minister of Communication who should have told the people what was happening to the President, chose to shy away from it and, in the process, denied his boss the benefit of such prayer.

Kelechi Nonso,
Enugu.

Has President Yar’Adua’s health condition degenerated so much that the German hospital reputed for curing his kind of ailment no longer has a panacea for it? Why does he not stick to a particular hospital rather than jumping from Europe to the Middle-East?

Kemi Ayomide,
Akure.

It is about time President Yar’Adua gave himself some rest by way of sabbatical to enable him take care of his prolonged ill-health. If this is done, he would bounce back in no time. May God restore his good health.

Loveth Akpan,
Uyo.

Yar’Adua’s illness, as we all know, has to do with a very important organ in his body, the kidney. However, he has been batting with it for long and was able to govern Katsina State for eight years. Let us pray that the man’s life is sustained to see his term through as Nigeria’s President.

Idris Salami,
Okene.

Nigerians are presently forced to contend with a president that is far from healthy, requiring constant medical attention, while a lot is yet to be done to address the mountain of problems we battle with on a daily basis. It is unfortunate that this is a situation foisted on the whole nation through Obasanjo’s selfish agenda which did not take the man’s health condition into consideration before rigging him into the presidential seat.

Taiwo Obisesan,
Ikorodu.

I believe that no political calculation will add up, concerning Yar’Adua’s present health condition and the outcome. Through the years, the man has consistently proved to be a cat with nine lives, surviving his life-threatening illness and managing his affairs, even if at a rather slow pace. I see him effectively resuming duties as the President soon.

Friday Ajayi,
Abeokuta.