Yar’Adua makes u-turn, recognises Jonathan as Acting President and Commander In Chief
Finally, President Umar Yar'Adua who staged unexpected return to the country from the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he has been on medical treatment for 93 days has
recognized Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the Acting President and Commander in Chief.
Recall on Wednesday, the President Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi had addressed the
Acting President as the Vice President in a statement issued to announce the return of
the ailing leader.
'while the President recuperates Vice-President (sic) Jonathan will continue to oversee the
affairs of state….President Yar'Adua is grateful to the vice-president, Dr Goodluck
Jonathan, for competently overseeing the affairs of state in his absence'. Adeniyi said in a
statement that was widely condemned across the country.
However, and due to public outcry to Adeniyi's statement, the President's spokesman
changed his language as he said, “The Acting President and Commander in Chief, Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan, continues to run the affairs of the country until the President is fit to
take over''
Mr. Adeniyi denied any crack in the Presidency saying both the office of the President and
the Acting President are working together.
Reports have it that President Yar'Adua remains unconscious since he was flown back on
Wednesday in an air ambulance. As at the time of this report, the Acting President has not
been able to see the President, about three attempts made by him to see the him was
allegedly rebuffed by his wife and members of his kitchen cabals.