Yar'Adua is back

Yesterday was all joy for Nigerians as they were greeted with news of President Umaru Yar'Adua's return home after three months medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. News of Yar'Adua's absence from the country was known to everyone.

It was overshadowed by considerable jostling for power behind the scene, as politicians look ahead to elections due by April next year. The country's political elite has been consumed by a power struggle between Yar'Adua loyalists, who wished to keep him in power, and those who argued he was too ill to govern.

The 58-year-old's surprise return from Saudi Arabia comes two weeks after Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan took over, amid fears of a power vacuum.

Whether or not Yar'Adua is too ill to govern Africa's most populous nation, with 150 million people, the matter is for him to answer. His condition is unknown, as reports say he has not been seen in public, and it is unclear when he could resume office.

Even though Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Aminchi, told reporters that Mr. Yar'Adua's condition had "improved tremendously," Yar'Adua should be in a better position to tell Nigerians as soon as possible to avoid the continuing power struggle.

"President Yar'Adua wishes to reassure all Nigerians that on account of their unceasing prayers and by the special grace of God, his health has greatly improved," the President's spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi, said in a statement.

"However, while the President completes his recuperation, Vice-President Jonathan will continue to oversee the affairs of state," it added.

This is good for Yar'Adua as he needs more time to recover fully to be able to return back to his seat and steer the affairs of the country.

We hope that Yar'Adua's return to the country will mark a turning point towards solving the seemingly growing power struggle, and safe ordinary citizens of the country from instability.

We also hope and pray that President Yar'Adua recovers as soon as possible, so as to be able to fulfil the demands of his office. This is our wish for him and for all Nigerians.

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding."

The Bible

(King James version)