Rumour in the east… Rumour in the west. ..Rumour up north… Rumour down south… Rumour… Rumour of bad health…Rumour of death.  

For some weeks the nation was gripped by hearsay information. Nigerians spread rumours that Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, their president, might have died in Saudi Arabia while undergoing an operation. The reason behind such rumour is probably because Nigerians see Yar’Adua as part of the dummy being sold to the nation. They see him as a plan incongruous with reason, a disingenuous package full of worms. Nigerians, even the rich are hungry and angry.  And so they want their “president” dead.

This is the second time in one year that such rumour would spread across the nation. The first time was shortly before Yar'Adua became the anointed Nigerian president in a fashion reminiscent of the good old day when the military blue song hoodwinked every mind in the land. In order to quash the “malicious rumour” then, our main man in his typical jovial mode made a call to Yar'Adua who was recuperating in a German hospital. Obasanjo was reported to have switched on his mobile phone, connected it to the loud speaker and then asked "Umoru, is it true you are dead?" This was to the delight of the audience - mostly PDP members.

Of course, Yar'Adua did not die then. He was “hale and healthy” even now. His illness was nothing more than ordinary inflammation of the nose and throat with increased production of mucus known as catarrh. Even though Nigerians had suspected that Yar’Adua was suffering from what experts believe to be Churg Strauss syndrome which often affects the kidney, the president's spokespersons keep telling the nation that he is "hale and healthy". Such is the way Nigeria is being run. Issues of this nature shall continue to expose the ruling class. There’s too much lies in the land. Even the country itself was founded on dishonesty, ala amalgamation.

But is there any reason to hide Yar’Adua’s health condition? After all, any human being can fall sick at any time. Even Yar’Adua himself has called our attention to the fact that human beings have no power over their health. But the president caucus cabinets who know the fact about his health decided to keep it a top secret in such hanky-panky manner which eventually helped fuel the rumour. Ojo Madueke, Foreign Affairs Minister, was at his best by manipulating Queen Elisabeth’s English in order to convince Nigerians that his boss is “hale and healthy”. He used “cancellation” and “adjustment” a lot. Even Segun Adeniyi, Senior Special Adviser to Yar’Adua on Communication, told journalists that the trip to Saudi Arabia was for the performance of Umrah, a lesser hajj.

Now, if Yar'Adua was not a PDP presidential candidate then, he might not have flown to Germany to treat such common cold. But as someone who would soon become the commander-in-chief of the most populous nation in Africa, he must be treated abroad. Because such sojourn is what often defines a big man - in Nigeria. Anyway, the point is that Yar'Adua did not die and will never die. It was only the handwork of enemies and unpatriotic elements who wanted and still want the "servant leader" dead. Though the man keeps reminding one of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a former president who was also installed by one and only Aremu, it’s not enough to wish him dead. It’s simply uncharitable thought. Did Nigeria also wish Sani Abacha dead?

These saboteurs who are fond of deliberately causing wrecks have intensified their clandestine subversive organisation since Yar'Adua was sworn in as Mr. President. Every time he went on official assignment, the fifth columnist would pass around his deteriorating health. These wreckers discuss about Yar'Adua's health as if the man would drop dead any moment. It is as if they are waiting anxiously for his demise. Perhaps it's not Yar'Adua's death that really concerns them, but the confusion his death would cause. Consider this statement from a source close to 'Vice President' Goodluck Jonathan. "Vice President Jonathan has not been getting the kind of frequent briefing about the president's status that he feels entitled to."

Thus many Nigerians have started speculating that the North would prevent Goodluck from taking over in case of emergency. I suspect they are extremely curious about the aftermath of Yar'Adua dying in office. The confusion of tongues solely relies on this notion. But is this anxiety necessary since article 146 of Nigerian Constitution extensively deals with such issue? So why the scepticism, especially when the federal government has reiterated that Yar'Adua is endowed with great bodily or mental health? For goodness sake, Yar’Adua could play a game of squash for hours! He is also in excellent mental condition to know who and who to sack immediately after returning from Umrah’s trip (They insist he went to perform the less hajj). The Secretary General of the Federation, Baba Gana  kingibe, is the first casuality.

Has Nigerians stop trusting that Theology student with whom Yar'Adua found favour? Or what is the big deal about a Nigerian president spending close to a month abroad? It's all the same. Besides, Saudi Arabia is regarded as a holy land; they go there to atone for their sins, or even dream of dying there. They have this passionate believe that he who dies in Mecca goes to heaven. And who doesn't want to go to heaven? By the way, who started another rumour that The First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar'Adua refused to allow a Saudi Arabian hospital make use of her kidney? Let me assure everyone that this loyal and protective wife is ready to donate even two kidneys in order to keep her husband in Aso Rock. First Lady's office na enjoyment o.

Yar'Adua should be allowed to enjoy himself while it lasts. He has declared himself a servant leader and we all know the meaning of being a servant in the corridor of power –in Nigeria. Moreover, globetrotting might be another way to show the nation that he is very well and healthy. Indeed people with bad health don't travel as much. Or do they? And Yar'Adua has visited several presidents and prime ministers since he ascended the throne of his ancestors. What's more! Many highly placed Nigerians have died either in " London" or wherever. It is their cherished pattern. It is a fad not likely to go out of fashion soon. Nigerian public officials enjoy overseas trips like Ajala. They simply love representing their country.

So I shall repeat myself: Yar'Adua won't die. He is healthy enough to rule Nigerians for another two terms. He will live long to enjoy the fruit of his labour. The man is already talking about 2020, the year he is sure Nigerians would start feeling like a human being. Is this the kind of president you wish dead? Even Chief Gani Fawehinmi, an ardent critic of bad governance, has urged Nigerians to "pray for quick recovery of the president." So let's pray, especially during this Ramadan period when Muslims abstain from everything worldly including sex and alcoholic drinks; when Allah always answers their prayer.

For now, just forget about any symptom that might make you doubt Yar'Adua's sounding health. Yes, forget about the fact that he collapsed in the presidential vehicle at the end of July 2008. This is only part of the stress associated with the office.  Even if Yar'Adua is incapacitated by chronic illness or injury and Goodluck is swept aside, heaven will not fall. It may rain or pour but there won't be storm. For a while certain group of people may bark like dogs do, but they won't bark enough for effective change. It has happened many times before through the rape of the constitution; successive coup and counter-coup.

One example is when MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 "free and fair" election died in prison on the suspicious that he was poisoned. The grand plan of the owners of Nigeria still manifested in spite of wide protests - mostly from the west. Even Yar’Adua’s brother, Shehu also died in prison. What I am saying in essence is that many Nigerians will be disappointed if they expect Yar’Adua’s death to cause pandemonium. Chaos will occur only if a few who hold the Nigerian State key unlock the door of chaos, and this can only happen if doing so would further advance their innate interests. Now you know why Yar’Adua’s health rumour or even death rumour will always be a game plan.

Copyright 2008 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com 

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.09.2008 00:18

Gbolly  Villager

# 2 Hakeem, thank you for a very thoughtful article. We should pray for all those negative minded peoples. Granted it's nature to dislike a person, but why wishing the president dead? What is the benefit of wishing a person dead? There is no gain in it. Even if President Yar'Adua is very bad, his enemies still need to pray for his recovery and for Nigeria. Posted by Gbolly| 11.09.2008 15:44

felziedoo  Villager

# 3 So now all the press conferences being held at the Federal Capital are all lies! What we ought to know is that, should when any little thing happens to anybody that is well known in the wold, not even the Post of a President, Rumours will be spread all around, In Reference to the Late Head of State, General Sanni Abacha, many folks said he was a Casanova, he ate Apple and so on and so forth, Many Men of God said different fake Prophecies that the lord has shown it to them that he would still die and at the end of the day, they never said that their prophecies out. A similar thing also happened when, Pastor Tunde Bakare said, OBJ will never see the end of his tenour that he would die, and at the end of the day, OBJ spent 8 good solid years and still appointed Yar'Adua to continue with his Gospel about DEmocracy so what are we talking about here, no matter what, you will surely found people that Dreams of Negative part of life and the other part of life too! Posted by felziedoo| 11.09.2008 16:02

WaleAkin  Villager

# 4 =felziedoo;4295096750>A similar thing also happened when, Pastor Tunde Bakare said, OBJ will never see the end of his tenour that he would die, Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly "prophesied" that President Olusegun Obasanjo will never become the president and not that he would die before the expiration of his tenure. Hakeem, thanks for this piece. I personally find it morbid when Nigerians sit down and wish someone dead, its highly inhuman and a gross brain malfunction. Yar'Adua may be bad, he may have a stolen mandate, he may be slow, he may be clueless but why wish him dead? Posted by WaleAkin| 11.09.2008 16:18

Ewuro  Villager

# 5 =Robot;4295096443>...Read the full article. I think the writer is trying very hard to no success to divert attention from the real issues. Suddenly the president without reference to any programmes of his itenary, decided to go to Mecca for the lesser Hajj. While goverment spokesmen and ministers went over hills trying to pass this message to the public, there was a contrary information that the president had been on admiision for a surgical operation in Jeddah. This means the presidency and the president were lying through their teeth to Nigerians. No one is fooled by the afterthought explanation that he got sick like anybody else while on lesser hajj and had to check himself into a Jeddah Hospital. The truth is our president UMYA LIED to the nation! The only people who wished him dead are the people who really know the extent of his illness. They are the people who were actively scheming for positions in case UMYA died. One of those, Kingibe, had been uncovered and sacked. Nigerians never wished UMYA death. All they ask of him is to do himself a favour, avoid untimely death, go and look after his health. This means UMYA should resign. The events in the last one year has revealed he is not in charge. I think the people have the right to demand that an inept leader should retire for a more capable person to take over. Posted by Ewuro| 11.09.2008 18:06

felziedoo  Villager

# 6 =WaleAkin;4295096754>Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly "prophesied" that President Olusegun Obasanjo will never become the president and not that he would die before the expiration of his tenure. Hakeem, thanks for this piece. I personally find it morbid when Nigerians sit down and wish someone dead, its highly inhuman and a gross brain malfunction. Yar'Adua may be bad, he may have a stolen mandate, he may be slow, he may be clueless but why wish him dead? He said it, He said this Indirectly! who amongst the pastors in Nieria wants to go to prison? He said this indirectly, he never wanted to lose church customers or members, only those that understood it better would know what he was talking about then, i was opportuned to be in his church, so I can never hear the wrong Story, Prophet od Doom! Posted by felziedoo| 11.09.2008 18:13

VOR  Villager

# 7 @Wale I do believe Tunde Bakare did prophesy that Obj will die in office........Stella died instead.....guess he didn't see that one coming! This means the presidency and the president were lying through their teeth to Nigerians. Nothing new here! Successive governments have always lied to Nigerians and Nigerians being the "happy people" we are believe them and encourage ourselves to move on.............because really we are too damned laid back to fight! Posted by VOR| 11.09.2008 19:58

Justin Case  Villager

# 8 Yar'Adua may be bad, he may have a stolen mandate, he may be slow, he may be clueless but why wish him dead? ... waleakin Nigerians never wished UMYA death. All they ask of him is to do himself a favour, avoid untimely death, go and look after his health. This means UMYA should resign. The events in the last one year has revealed he is not in charge.... Ewuro He should resign and go take care of his health, nobody wants him to die for Nigeria since Nigerians didn't elect him in the first place anyway. Posted by Justin Case| 11.09.2008 20:06

Agidimolaja  Villager

# 9 Hakeem and others in the same boat, Please see to it that salt is not mixed with sands for us,neither should you folks try to cover feces with butter in this case of our runaway President. Blame no person nor group of persons for this ongoing speculations about the President but rather,blame the President himself for the whole show of shame which he and his cohorts displayed considering the way he varnished to Saudi Arabia without letting over 140 million Nigerians know about his going let alone about the truth surrounding such going- health matters. People may decorate it the way they wanted,it makes no difference.The truth according to very reliable sources both locally and internationally is that, the sole reason for the President's journey was on medical ground and not necessarily for the Islamic rituals. Under normal circumstance,a civilized President who has his people in his mind should not just leave them behind with no hints as to wither goeth he no matter what the situation may be. But,our own President left his people with no prior notice.The people overheard that he went to perform certain Islamic rituals which under normal circumstance should be concluded within two or three days. Long after the Islamic rituals have been completed, our President took cover in Saudi Arabia with no words for the people over whom he is reigning as President concerning why he delayed his return. Unfortunately and to add fuel to the matter,this is a President that for a long time now have been nursing life threatening ailments. His taking cover abroad without words for his people then gave rise to several speculations from different quarters.It is normal. Or let me ask,what did you all expect? It has nothing practically to do with death wish. No one wanted him dead but he created such an unfortunate situation whereby it appeared that certain people wanted him to speed up and die out. "The President is hale and healthy", so people are saying to cover up his health problems but the ugly truth is that the President is sick and everyone know about it and those who may not know before have now known that his health is failing. Who knows,it may be a matter of time before his time is up. Therefore,if someone with such ailments hide away his face for such longer than usual period of time, people has the right then to speculate as they did. So,who started the whole show,was it the President that left his people in darkness or the people who as human beings started to read negative meanings to the unusual disappearance of their President? Posted by Agidimolaja| 12.09.2008 01:48