Date Published: 12/02/09

30 th November 2009.

Press Release.

“Take Charge of the Affairs of State”, Lagos AC Urges Vice President.

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress has called on the presidency and the PDP to clear the air on the allegation that the Vice President is being frustrated by a cliché in the presidency from performing his constitutional duties, in the absence of the President. The party says this clarification is necessary in view of the fact that nerves are getting frayed over the speculation that the President did not hand over to his vice when he was going for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, contrary to the provisions of the constitution of the country.

In a release in Lagos, signed by the party’s Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, Lagos AC says that Nigerians need to know what is happening at the presidency, with the president being away and the widespread allegation that he failed to hand over to his deputy before departure. The party insists that Nigeria must not continue to be run like a huge jungle or a banana enclave where law and constitutionalism are relegated to the background.

“While we note that the Vice President has been lethargic in protesting what is obviously an attempt to relegate him in the scheme of things in this presidency, we believe his position derives from the constitution and should be thus treated. Every Nigerian knows that when the president is out of the country, for any reason whatsoever, the Vice President takes charge of the country. This is a constitutional provision that does not need further interpretation.

“We are amazed that there is an insinuation that President Yar’Adua never adhered to this constitutional provision as he went for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia and this singular negligence is breeding serious suspicion and threats among Nigerians presently. This has even gone to breed so much bad blood among the various segments of Nigeria who see the attempt to relegate the Vice President as another effort to treat them with contempt. We warn that nothing should be done to create the impression that some Nigerians are more important than others as that will only inflame dormant passions and set the country on edge again.

“Even as we know that several aberrations and illegalities are forced on Nigerians, we dare say that nothing should be done to deepen the specters of marginalization against some Nigerians and spark another heated round of crisis. Nigeria cannot afford such at this time of our chequered history. What is happening presently suggests deep confusion in the presidency as it is difficult to know who is in charge of the affairs of the country in the absence of President Yar’Adua. This should not were the country following constitutionalism, which is the bedrock of any democracy.

“We call that the Vice President take full charge of the affairs of state till the return of President Yar’Adua and we challenge him to be man enough and assume his rightful constitutional duties. We charge him to be bold and not beggarly about his duties in the absence of the president. We also want him to name any person that challenges this constitutional provision. We want a quick return to constitutionalism in the issue of who takes charge in the absence of the president and warn that nothing must be done to condone acts of lawlessness and impunity.

“Lagos AC believes that there is no dark or grey areas on who takes charge of governance in the absence of the president so we want the presidency to come out categorically clear on this dangerous insinuation of desperate efforts to relegate the Vice President for the period the President is away. We warn those toying with the affairs of Nigeria to be wary of the rising wave of discontent in the polity and not do anything that may speed up the balkanization of the country. “

Joe Igbokwe.

Publicity Secretary,

Lagos AC.