The People
Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu to live by example, heed
his advice to the late former president, the late Musa Yar’Adua and step
aside
to save the nation the embarrassment of working from home.
The party
called for the setting up of a medical council to examine and report the true
state of his health to the nation so that informed comments and decisions could
be made about his occupation of the seat of power.
The Akwa Ibom
State publicity secretary of PDP, Mr. Ini Ememobong who gave these positions,
said it was a gross abuse of office for the president to continuously absent
himself from office.
“If the
framers of the constitution wanted the president to work from home, they could
have said so. That is why there is delineation between the office and the home.
One of the conditions expected of somebody running for the Office of the
President is being physically and mentally sound.
“So if the
president is unfit to attend two Federal Executive Council meetings, how is the
country running? He was unfit to attend a critical event like May Day
celebration where the entire workers expected him to address them on issues
bordering on their welfare, it is something that is disturbing.
“So PDP, as a
party, has a great respect for the president and his office. We do not intend
to pay them back in the same coin that they paid us. But because karma is
involved and whatever a man sows, he shall reap, we are only asking the
president to take the advice he gave to the Federal Executive Council over
Yar’Adua. He knows what the position is. He should take his advice as he
advised the Federal Executive Council to determine the health of Umar Yar’Adua.
We are not saying anything new. We are only saying: prophet, heal thyself.”
The PDP said
Nigerians must react if Buhari refused to take his own advice.
“The people
who criticised Yar’Adua, this is an opportunity to remind them of what they
said then because truth is universal and timeless. So, Nigerians should rise
up… He either resigns honourably if his health can no longer carry him or he
tells Nigerians the true position of his health so that we can evaluate.”
Meanwhile,
activist and lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has urged the National Assembly to
declare the office of the president vacant, even as the Nigerian Baptist
Convention advised Buhari to immediately proceed for further medical treatment.
In a press
statement issued yesterday, Adegboruwa said: “Even though the president is
human, the Constitution anticipates a fit and proper chief executive to be in
charge of and run the affairs of Nigeria, which General Buhari cannot presently
fulfill.
The activist
said in the meantime, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo should be sworn
in as acting President.
According to
him, Nigeria cannot continue in fashion whereby a cabal has taken over the
affairs of the country, causing great panic in the land, purely for their own
selfish ends.
“We do not
need to wait for the Yar’Adua scenario before we take steps to save the President
from himself and his handlers. I do sympathize with the President but that
sympathy is dwindling daily on account of the President’s quest to hold on to
power at all costs, even when it is manifestly clear that he is not fit to do
so,” he said.
But the Arewa
Consultative Forum (ACF) cautioned against making “unnecessary remarks” on the
health of the president.
A statement
issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said
the ACF had observed with concern that some individuals were carelessly making
unnecessary remarks pertaining to the health of Buhari.
“ACF advises
Nigerians to please pray for the improvement of Mr. President’s health so that
he can serve the Nation with more vigour,” it said.
The Nigerian
Baptist Convention in a communique issued during the recent 104th annual
session of the denomination presided over by Rev. Samson Ayokunle Ayokunle, who
doubles as president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed
dismay at the lack of openness of the presidency in informing Nigerians of the
true state of Buhari’s health.
“We observe
with dismay, the political undercurrents that surrounds the health of the
president, especially the lack of openness in telling Nigerians that he went
for medical attention. We advise the president not to hesitate in going for
further treatment if that would help in quickly restoring him back to sound
health so as to continue performing his duties to the nation.”
Notwithstanding
his health status, Buhari could still contest the 2019 presidential election,
said ex-Lagos Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav and national coordinator
of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Gololo.
The Nation reported that both Tsav and
Gololo spoke separately against the backdrop of calls for Buhari to resign and
concentrate on his health.
Tsav, however,
called on Buhari to obey his doctors’ advice that he should take some rest.
“It is
necessary for him to heed their advice as he is doing presently. Buhari’s age
is not a barrier at all. Afterall, President Mugabe is older than him and still
ruling. If he (Buhari) is strong enough, why not? He can even contest for 2019.
However, if his health will not permit him, he should take a rest.”
On his part,
Gololo who claimed that he saw President Buhari in Abuja last week and even
shook hands with him maintained that he was
healthy and fit to rule.
“Those calling
on him to resign are opposition. He is healthy and capable to contest in 2019.
Mr. President is coming solidly and he will win again.”
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