Sombre mood at Aso Villa

By Elizabeth Archibong

The Presidential Villa was yesterday enveloped in a sombre mood after the long Sallah break and weekend. Though most of the staff have resumed, the hustle and bustle that usually characterised the Villa is missing, perhaps to depict the mood of the times due to the ill health of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

In contrast to the presidential wing where activities were at a low ebb, the office of the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, was busy as people walked around doing their jobs, with anxious reporters waiting for any breaking news.

There was, however, no official statement at the villa as to the health status of the president. The presidential spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi, who last week briefed journalists after a statement from the chief physician of the president, Salihu Banye, had promised to give update from time to time. However, nothing came from him yesterday.

But the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili, in a statement, thanked Nigerians for praying for the quick recovery of the president. The statement reads, “The Federal Government wishes to convey her appreciation to all Nigerians who have joined in prayers for quick recovery of our President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. We appreciate the solidarity and support of the good people of Nigeria in the past few days that Mr. President has been away.

“Government wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to continue to uphold Mr. President, his family, and the nation in prayers at these trying times. The Federal Government wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that all machineries of government will continue to function optimally at all levels, as we wait prayerfully for the return of Mr. President.”

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Reader Comments (5)

Posted by Kemela Okara on Dec 01 2009

While the government must receive some commendation for finally acknowledging what we all knew (the President's abiding illhealth) it seems a little too late. However useful lessons abound chief of which is the continuing need for transparency of information flow. Our democracy will ultimately benefit from it.

Posted by Jay on Dec 01 2009

"The Federal Government wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that all machineries of government will continue to function optimally at all levels, as we wait prayerfully for the return of Mr. President.”...VERY FUNNY!! Nothing worked when he was around, is it now that he's gone that things will work optimally?

Posted by Ike Nwanze on Dec 01 2009

Well, one of costs of public service is the lost of total privacy. This, the handlers of the President's public relations affairs fail to appreciate. It is human to fail sick, recover or even die. Non of these should be sensationlised; my only worry is that a gang is holding this President hostage. Not for the common good but for their selfish interests - whatever that is. President Yaradua needs to resign, return to pivate life and give his health all the needed attention. There is nothing more previous than life not even presidential power. President Yaradua is a hostage, a victim of himself and manupulators around him. God save the President.

Posted by OKUBULE Adelumola Abayomi on Dec 01 2009

I think he should just resign as President and attend to his health.With the kind of ailment he has,he should just retire to his country home in Kastina and enjoy his days.Apart from his frail looks lately,the heart being the engine room of the body is not to be toyed with and honestly,you need a good heart to be able to cope with the rigours of the office of President.There is no point holding on as President when his health is obviously not very good.However,I pray that the almighty GOD, the ultimate healer give him back his health[Amen].

Posted by Rackish on Dec 01 2009

Nigerians are wishing the prez resigns as if his resignation would remove from the corridor of power the cabal that sent him to Aso Rock in the first place. The country's development has regressed ever since the introduction of civilian government. Don't get me wrong, the juntas are not any better. We're in a box, fellow Nigerians, we're in a box. We'd be damned if the prez resigns and we'd be damned if he doesn't. Therein lies our ultimate predicament.