Barely 72 hours before Nigeria's opportunity to address the world from a unique perspective at the on-going United Nation's summit Heads of States and Government in New York, there are mix signals on the possibility of President Musa Yar'Adua's personal attendance. Aso Rock Presidential Villa Sources have confirmed to Pointblanknews.com that they are "totally" positive that President Yar'Adua will not be in New York on Wednesday when Nigeria is expected to articulate its views and vision before the United Nation's General Assembly. Instead, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe is likely to address the august body.
As at Press time Nigeria's diplomatic circle in New York, Washington DC and Abuja have downsized their usual advance preparation that would usually have signaled the possibility of the President's personal commitment to be part of the annual rituals at the United Nations.
According to sources President Yar'Adua's change of itinerary is not unconnected with new fears concerning his failing health. Pointblanknews.com learnt that the President may have been diagnosed afresh as having a lung related ailment. That is different from yet to be confirmed earlier reports on alleged kidney transplant during a recent Umra visit to Saudi Arabia. Unconfirmed reports have it that President Yar'Adua may be flown overseas again for another medical check-up.
After his seventeen days Umra and hospital visit to Saudi Arabia, President Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria wielding the big stick which saw the removal of Babagana Kingibe as the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF. Several of his aides had boated that the President upon return would address the nation and clear speculations over the state of his health. That never materialized and carried on as healthy as if he was medically fit.
However, at the tail end of last week, the President's health became a subject of concern as he was not able to perform some scheduled official activities.
According to a source at the Presidential Villa, "Mr. President had to cancel some of his engagements on Thursday and Friday because he needed to take some rest and have his medications administered to him by his Doctors." The source also added that "as you may know the President have not had a rest since he returned and it is only normal for him to take sometime off and rest while taking his medications.
But the source would not confirm or deny reports that the President Yar'Adua may have out rightly cancelled his earlier planned trip to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The administration in Nigeria is already attracting criticism for borrowing a script from the modus operandi of the discredited Abacha Administration. While it was obvious that Abacha was seriously sick and despite available pictures that he was wearing guise and elaborate make-up and lip gloss and a local preparation for eye lashes locally called tiro, his army of overzealous sycophants like present day Governors and influential Nigerians always organize deceptive so-called solidarity visit that detached him completely from Nigerian's sympathy and prayers.