By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua’s critics are accusing the ailing president’s allies of working to undermine the country’s acting president’s efforts.
President Yar’Adua has not appeared in public for months due to his health. In November 2009, the President left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia for medical treatment of a heart condition. Most recently, a groups of clergymen have made visits to the President. On separate occasions, both Muslim and Christian religious leaders made visits offering support and prayers.
After the visits, all of the religious leaders declined to offer any details regarding the health of the ailing leader.
Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, who was formerly the Vice President, has been able to see or access President Yar’Adua since his return to Nigeria in February. Many fear that the President’s family may be restricting access to him.
Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana has spoken out claiming that the visits by religious leaders were, “part of the moves by Yar’Adua’s wife to cause further confusion in politics . . . to give the impression that her husband will soon return to office.”
She goes on to say that, “[t]he timing of the visits was also important. The motive was to frustrate the inauguration of Jonathan’s newly-appointed ministers.”
This tension between the ailing President and Goodluck Jonathan, who was thrust into office by parliament, has caused political uncertainty. According to AFP, this has also come at a time where there is existing tension between Muslim and Christian groups. “Religion is a powerful force in Nigeria, with the country roughly split in half between Christians and Muslims,” said AFP.
There have been no updates on President Yar’Adua’s health since November.
For more information, please see:
NEXT – Yar’Adua and the Missing Billions – 11 April 2010
The Punch – Enough of this Yar’Adua Distraction – 11 April 2010
AFP – Critics Fear Allies of Nigeria’s Ailing Leader Interfering – 10 April 2010
VOA – Controversy Grows in Nigeria Over Visit With Ailing President by Ten Religious Leaders – 8 April 2010
