Date Published: 01/29/10

US, UK, France, EU worried over Nigeria…Just As Shagari, Shonekan, Ekwueme, Gowon, Danjuma Uwais, Kutigi want Yar’Adua to hand over power to the Vice President

The United States, European Union, Britain and France on Thursday said Nigeria is going through what they tag ‘ period of uncertainty’ because of the prolonged absence of President Umaru Yar’ Adua.

The powers said they welcomed constitutional efforts in Nigeria to "resolve the question of governing authority in the president’s prolonged absence".

"Nigeria’s stability and democracy carry great significance beyond its immediate borders," given its importance as a global oil producer and stabilising force in West Africa, ‘ they said in statement in London.The statement was signed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton.

It is the first time foreign powers have openly expressed concern about Yar’Adua’s absence amid concerns by opposition groups that the president’s illness has made him incapable of ruling the 150 million-strong population of Nigeria, Africa’s second-biggest oil producer.

This came on the heels on a call by a group of former Heads of State, former Chief Justices, former ministers and other political leaders. They had stormed the National Assembly on Thursday with a message urging ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua to hand over power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

Members of the Eminent Elders Group include former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former President Shehu Shagari, former Head of the Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.

Others are: Former Chief of Defence Staff and one-time Defence Minister Gen. Yakubu Danjuma and three former Chief Justices of Nigeria – Mohammadu Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Idris Kutigi.

Also in the group were four former ministers – Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Edwin Clark, Mallam Adamu Ciroma and Prof Jerry Gana.

There were also, former Federal Permanent Secretary Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Senator Jonathan Zwingina.