Nigerian lawmakers seeking to end months of drift transferred the powers of ailing President
on Tuesday. But critics say the move is unconstitutional and threatens
to upset a delicate balance between Christian southerners and Muslim
northerners.
most populous country, has a long history of political instability,
repression and military coups. Yar’Adua’s election victory and
inauguration in 2007 culminated the first peaceful transition of power
the country has experienced since independence a half-century ago.
But Yar’Adua, 58, has been in a hospital in
suffering inflammation of the lining around the heart. He also has a
history of kidney problems. Although little is known for sure about his
condition, local media reports suggest he is on life support, may have
suffered brain damage — and is unlikely to return to power.
constitution requires that a president inform the Senate and House of
Representatives of a medical leave before they can appoint an acting
leader. Yar’Adua did not do so, creating a vacuum.
In the president’s absence, Jonathan has not been
able to sign documents or make major decisions. Key appointments have
been allowed to slide. The West African regional leadership body,
ECOWAS, has twice postponed its annual summit meeting because of
Yar’Adua’s illness.
Hundreds were killed last month in religious strife
between Muslims and Christians. An important peace deal with rebels in
the oil-rich
And
was named by the U.S. on a list of countries of concern after one of
its citizens, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a U.S.-bound
airliner in December. The U.S. decision damaged
Thousands have marched in the streets protesting the power vacuum.
But getting around it is not proving to be easy.
Jonathan, 52, is a former university teacher who
studied zoology. He became governor of oil-rich Bayelsa state when his
predecessor was indicted. And he survived an assassination attempt
shortly before the 2007 election.
The push to make him acting president has left the
ruling People’s Democratic Party deeply divided. The party has an
unwritten deal to alternate the presidency between a Muslim northerner
like Yar’Adua and a Christian from the south like his predecessor,
Olusegun Obasanjo, who ruled for eight years. With fears Yar’Adua might
not return to office, his northern supporters see Jonathan’s rise as
breaching the deal.
Jonathan made his first major move Wednesday,
reassigning Justice Minister Michael Aondoakaa, who had been among the
Cabinet ministers who held out strenuously against transferring
presidential powers.
The spokesman for the main opposition Action Congress Party,
Association, said the lawmakers should have asked Yar’Adua to send a
letter regarding his medical leave — or impeached him.
“It is legally a futile exercise,” he said. “The provision of the constitution has not been complied with.”
All the same, many ordinary Nigerians were relieved by the action. Paul Ifeobikwu, an accounts officer in
But
clerk, predicted many legal challenges. “The implication is that
whatever action is taken by Jonathan as acting president is prone to
legal challenges,” he said.
—
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