Date Published: 02/02/10

Yar'Adua's men block VP Jonathan from visiting sick president in Saudi Arabia

Musa Yar'Adua

Goodluck Jonathan

The grand cover-up concerning the real medical condition of President Umaru Yar’Adua took a dramatic twist last week, when the kitchen cabinet of the President frustrated moves by Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan to visit his boss in his Saudi hospital abode.

Sources close to the Presidential Villa told Pointblanknews that Jonathan had been mounting pressure on some of the President’s men led by economic adviser Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, and the President’s wife, Turai to allow him access to the President, but this very formidable clique do not think it is a good idea. They do not want Jonathan to know what the real situation is because they do not trust him.

Pointblanknews learnt that last week, the VP approached Turai who in turn briefed the President’s men. After a brief mind rubbing session, the clique maintained that Yar’Adua’s hospital ward should remain a no-go area to the VP and all those tagged ‘outsiders’.

Sources also disclosed that some key members of the Federal Executive Council, Governors forum and the National Assembly also did not fancy the idea of allowing the VP who is seen as an outsider visit Saudi. The plot is to keep Nigerians guessing until a way is found around the impasse occasioned by the absence of the terminally ill President.

Pointblanknews also gathered that to ensure minimal contact by sundry personnel at the hospital, the President regularly switch wards. According to our sources, he has been moved no less than three times in the last few weeks. Also, all medical personnel who are citizens of Nigeria and Ghana have been tactically prevented from getting close to avoid minimal leakage of his health condition.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who hitherto had access, had also been fenced from seeing Yar’Adua.

The President’s men are not very comfortable with the VP in view of his closeness to ex President Olusegun Obasanjo. The suspicion reached a crescendo when Obasanjo publicly urged his former ally whom he imposed on the PDP, to step aside due to ill health This group which has key membership from the so called Katsina mafia, are wary of the move.

They are of the view that if the VP is allowed access to Yar’Adua, it is like allowing Obasanjo , who has been branded a foe, access.

They contend that Obasanjo had all worked out when he insisted on Yar’Adua knowing full well the former Katsina state Governor was not in the best of health. They fear he wants Goodluck installed he could seize power from the north through the back door.

A call and text message to Ima Niboro, spokesman to the Vice president was not responded to.