Oluniyi D.Ajao

Politicians (especially in Africa) are always so eager to prove to their constituents that they are competent to lead, that they sometimes goof, indict, or even implicate themselves.

A classic example of this, is Governor Umaru Yar’Adua of Katsina State of Nigeria, who is also the ruling party (PDP)’s presidential candidate for the April 2007 elections. He was flown just last week, to Germany, “for a medical check-up” after he had reportedly collapse during a political rally. The man is back in Nigeria.

He landed in Lagos, after flying to Germany last week for medical tests when he collapsed at a campaign rally.

The 55-year-old is the frontrunner to win the election and has previously suffered from a kidney illness.

His collapse prompted speculation that he could be replaced as the People Democratic Party’s candidate.

Mr Yar’Adua told the BBC earlier this week that he had suffered from breathlessness and had taken his doctor’s advice to have a thorough medical check-up abroad.

Now, this is the crux of the matter – why did he have to be flown abroad, if indeed there were good health facilities in Nigeria. One of the key areas President Obasanjo’s supporters would love to point to as his achievements, is the health sector. Despite that, one always hears about one political office-holder or other, being flown abroad for something as trivial as catarrh. Why?

This is Jonathan Goodluck, Governor of Bayelsa State, and Yar’Adua’s running mate, speaking at a political rally in Osun State.

“My boss was supposed to speak here but he had minor ailment and he will be in the country tomorrow (today). He is much alive and not dead as being wrongly speculated,” he stated.

Flown abroad as a result of a minor ailment huh? There are no health facilities in Nigeria capable of handling minor ailments? I doubt if there will ever be hope for the poor, in Nigeria.

Yar’Adua says he is hale and hearty, and in position to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Time will tell…

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