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The nearly man

After President Yar’Adua’s two-month health crisis in Saudi Arabia, Vice-President Jonathan’s supporters urge him to seize the day

On 16 January, the Vice-President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, began to sound like a Nigerian President. His many supporters across the country say it's not before time: they are frustrated by the refusal of ailing President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and his aides to transfer full executive powers to Jonathan during the President's prolonged medical treatment. The usually affable Vice-President has been showing his irritation with press reports lampooning his apparent lack of political muscle as the power crisis in Abuja unfolds (AC Vol 50 No 25 & Vol 51 No 1). A day after Jonathan laid the wreath to mark Armed Forces Rememberance Day, his office issued a press release denouncing 'mischief-makers' who try 'to create mischievous scenarios of indecisiveness on the part of the VP'. This was in response to a story that he was awaiting directives from Turai Yar'Adua, the President's wife, to act on the High Court's ruling that he could assume presidential duties, in line with section 5(1) of the 1999 constitution....

(This article contains approximately 1700 words)

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Free article preview

The nearly man

After President Yar’Adua’s two-month health crisis in Saudi Arabia, Vice-President Jonathan’s supporters urge him to seize the day

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