Nigerian Vice President Begins to Take Charge

PHOTO: NIGERIAN VICE PRESIDENT, MR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN. IMAGE: REUTERS.

Anyone following events in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power would have noticed that Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has finally started taking charge of affairs in the absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua, who has been away from duty for about two months.

Though the President’s ‘kitchen cabinet’ is still doing all within its ability to ensure that Vice President Jonathan does not assume duties as acting president, he has lately become assertive in the manner he has been running the Presidency.

Last week, at the meeting with the Executive Council of the Federation, an unusual announcement was made when he entered the venue. A voice said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” This was not the case at previous Executive Council meetings since the President’s absence.

Another pointer to the Vice President’s assertiveness was when he issued a statement a few days back declaring that he knows the identities of some Ministers and senior government personnel who have tried to create disharmony in the government warning that those who continue to do so would be shown the way.

Last Tuesday, the Mr. Jonathan called a meeting in his office between Presidency officials, Senate President, David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Deputy Speaker, Usman Nafida; Chairman Governors’ Forum, Bukola Saraki; controversial Attorney, General Michael Andoakaa; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed; PDP Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor; PDP National Secretary, Abubakar Baraje; and PDP Legal Adviser, Olusola Oke.

Sources privy with deliberations at the meeting said the ruling of Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court, which said the Vice President could exercise executive powers on behalf of the President, was discussed in full. It was agreed at the meeting that all in attendance would support Mr. Jonathan in his Presidential duties. Though members of the President’s kitchen cabinet were said to have been apprehensive on the deal, they were compelled to accept it to keep the executive arm of government together.

Mr. Jonathan was also assertive in his reaction to the Jos crisis. The VP who a Presidency source said was initially angry that he was not given a true picture of the violence ordered a meeting with top security chiefs. After he got a comprehensive security briefing on the clashes, he ordered federal troops to take over security in Jos and made a national broadcast to the nation.

A source said that since Mr. Jonathan’s new stand, Ministers and other Presidency appointees have woken up to their responsibilities and have started getting used to the fact that the Vice President may be in charge of affairs for a long time.

The Executive Council of the Federation has been given two weeks by a judge to decide whether the President’s absence since November 23 makes him incapable of discharging his duties. Analysts have called it another meaningless ruling questioning how the council would arrive at a credible decision since they may not get access to the President’s medical records.

Will the Council pass a resolution that the President is unfit to continue in office and pave the way for Mr. Jonathan to become President? Lets not forget that they got their appointments by the President’s grace.

The fact remains that Nigerians are tired and want an able and fit President, working from the villa in Abuja.