Open Letter to Mrs.

Turai Yar’Adua
A Bell Needs its Tongue

Victor Chendekemen Yakubu

Her Excellency The Honourable First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, we know that
your husband, current President of Nigeria and Grand Commander of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Alhaji
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCON is sick on admission at the King Faisal Special Hospital & Research Centre in Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia. All Nigerians, Africa and well wishers from the international community have been calling on God to
heal your husband, our president.

Everybody knows that his reign has not yielded much for Nigeria due to ill-health and this is having a devastating toll
on Nigeria. We sympathize with him. Yet Nigerians know that your husband means well, being a just man,
unassuming, straight-forward and devoted to the cause of developing Nigeria with his seven-point agenda and Vision
20/2020. Were it not for his ill-health, he would have been doing so much to achieve his set objectives as
commander-in-chief and No. 1 citizen of our nation. Nonetheless, everybody sympathizes with him and with you
particularly for your diligence, love and concern for your husband. Nothing could be important as this time of your
marital life than to give him your all and your best. Were people endowed with powers more than praying for him,
many would have done something to put him back on his feet. However, many people sympathize with you and wish
you all the courage you need at this trying moment.

Nobody falls sick on his own accord and nobody prays to be sick especially when that person is a president of a nation;
a nation so multi-faceted like Nigeria; a nation on the move seeking minute by minute attention because of its volatile
nature. Your husband’s ailment is not of his own accord but what fate has brought to him. This affects your family on
two grounds: he’s not able to undertake his matrimonial responsibilities as father and husband; secondly he’s
temporarily incapacitated from actualizing his dreams of making your family the proud family that it should be. But
do not forget, he has been a success. He was Governor of Katsina State and by cheer act of luck or divine design he’s
now president of over 150million people. Every woman will envy such a woman behind such a man with powers to
make or mar anything. His sickness affects your role as mother because you cannot consult with him on decisive issues
affecting you or your family. He’s livid, unconscionable and vegetative waiting for the Will of God. When things
were rosy, normal and undisturbed by sickness, you consulted each other on issues of your family and common things
between husband and wife. That is the sanctity of your marital life. I am very sure you have had a successful marriage
with your husband. Your success can be measured in the fact that you are a mother, a proud mother-in-law and a
 2:| Open Letter to Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua
------------------------------------

grandmother. No woman takes this for granted. For you to have seen your grand-children is enough blessing to be
grateful to God for His unbounded love.

While I praise your efforts at making sure your husband is given the best medical treatment in a foreign hospital, I
equally draw your attention to the position of your husband in the politics of our great country Nigeria. Nigeria needs
attention just like your husband. The way your husband is sick, so is Nigeria sick from many ailment seeking
solutions. Each moment you look at the undisturbed, serene face of your husband as he lies on his bed, that should
afford you the opportunity to view Nigeria with the opposite attributes of chaos, anxiety and uncertainty. Your
husband is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. His
attention is needed like a hole in the head every minute. On your personal level, you have transformed from being a
wife of the president into the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a mother to all Nigerians. You are the
heart of the first family as mother of Nigeria and your passion can make the difference in our national life. Your role
in nation building is as important as that of your husband. Behind every successful man is a woman; and you that
woman behind the success of our nation and of your husband, our president. So many things depend on your
motherly instinct to move forward knowing that you can never wish anything bad to come over Nigeria. Remember
how you have applied this instinct in moments of great stress to salvage your family. I am very sure you used your
wealth of experience justifiably to warrant accolades from your children, your husband and extended family. Your
children can look back and remind you of those childhood troubles of which you advised them accordingly. From May
2007 you assumed a new prestigious position of mother of Nigeria, model for all mothers and salient adviser to your
husband on national issues. This new role is your chance to set posterity rolling with praiseworthy paragraphs in the
annals of history about your motherly counsel.

The area that you must receive kudos is in taking adequate care of your husband in the hospital. Nobody can reward
you for that only God. I hear that you edit those willing to see him as he lies in is sick bed. I hear that even some
respected members of his family are not able to see him or at least view his condition while he’s recuperating. I can
understand this because I know how people from the north of Nigeria swarm to hospitals to see a loved one. They
love long greetings in hospitals out of concern but this is not what everybody wants now. For those unable to see him
physically, just continue to tell them jiki yayi sauki, mun gode Allah; he’s better by God’s grace. They will understand. I
know that not every member of his immediate family is privileged to visit in Saudi Arabia, so with cell phone
telephony, the calls could be too much to handle. Thank God, Saudi Arabia is a country where many individuals are
barred by definition of their faith; the political traffic to view him is reduced. This has reduced your workload in
terms of those who visit to wish him well. However, since he’s the president of Nigeria, we need to get a true picture
 3:| Open Letter to Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua
------------------------------------

of what is happening to Mr. President. Nigerians need to see him even if it’s his picture while he’s recuperating; or
hear from you what the true position of his health is. By the way, acute pericarditis is a serious medical condition that
needs special attention. He needs careful medical attention since hospitals in Nigeria can be careless in dealing with
patients; it’s a wise decision to ferry out to a special medical centre. It’s taking a long time.

Nigerians have been told that your husband was away for six months while Governor of Katsina State. At that time, it
did not assume national attention since it was only a state, but this has to do with national security, prestige and
common sense. Katsina State indigenes know how the state fared in his absence. But we know that this was a long
period for a Chief Executive of a state to be away. Barely a month in his absence, Nigeria is running down. Many
things are wrong and Nigerians are getting polarized on many issues. Can you not see what his absence is causing? Do
you not care that Nigeria is getting ridiculed?

Her Excellency let me show you one point of devastating consequence. The recent event is the shame that Umar
Farouk Abdul Muttalab, a young man of 23 years brought to Nigeria through intended terrorism. He tried but failed
to bring down an Airbus 330 with 300 souls within America soil. He’s from the same state with your husband, the
president. Were your husband healthy and around, he should have addressed an international press conference to
assuage the international community of Nigeria’s zeal to fight international terrorism. Terrorism is a crime that kills a
country’s aspirations and gradually renders it leprous.

Remember dear First Lady, before this shameless act by this baby faced terrorist from Funtua, the Federal Executive
Council chaired by your husband, the president, has been disorientated on how to go about many issues. The tongue
in their bell has been removed and they cannot jingle. They are confused about many issues and Nigerians are more
confused about all issues and the international community does not know who to believe. Members of the Federal
Executive Council love your husband and they have been doing everything possible to defend his position as
president. They fear to make mistakes else they are blamed or punished. They are appointed to do exactly what they
are doing – cover up until he returns. Nobody can blame them. But you know what? So many times they are
disillusioned about what to tell Nigerians. Remember the case of Babagana Kingibe, your husband’s first Secretary to
the Federal Government? He was fired for breaching protocol and telling Nigerians what they should not hear about
your husband’s ailment first time he went for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Every official now is careful not to
be misquoted or misinterpreted as doing something against the position of your husband. They count their teeth with
their tongues before they say anything to Nigerians.
 4:| Open Letter to Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua
------------------------------------

In the midst of these events, Nigeria suffers terribly from lack of direction due to your husband’s absence. I am very
sure all mothers understand your situation because you love your husband and you are standing by him. Nigeria is
dying in bits with the absence of your husband. Imagine this, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria; Justice Aloysius
Katsina-Alu and the new President of the Court of Appeal Justice Isa Ayo Salami are to be sworn-in while the
president is away. This is his prerogative as president. The Minister of Justice of Nigeria and Attorney General of the
Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa says one thing today and changes to another tomorrow. Nigerians are tired of his
kitty-catty behaviour. Nigerians do not know what to expect from him next because he sways like a balloon on a
string.

Mr. President’s absence is causing constitutional debacles of monumental catastrophe. The National Assembly is torn
between the devil and the deep blue sea on what to do. Since his departure for treatment over a month now,
Sections 5, 141, 144,145, 146, 156 of our constitution have been quoted several times to support arguments for Vice
President Jonathan Goodluck to function as acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This has been
thwarted by elements sympathetic to your husband’s rule and misleading reports that your husband did not write
formally to the National Assembly. This is sad to hear. The result of this is that there’s nobody to give Nigerians the
right direction. Even the ministers are misbehaving in their own ways discrediting their exalted positions. Recently
the VP ordered some top shots at the petroleum ministry to stay put and ease the incessant fuel crisis characteristic of
every end of year in Nigeria. Dr. Rilwan Lukman the honourable minister at the helm of affairs took-off to Austria to
enjoy a holiday while Nigeria suffers long queues at the filling stations. The office of the VP is ridiculed and
undermined with an act that only happens in Nigeria. This alone is insubordination to the office of VP and demands
appropriate punishment. This should be noted Her Excellency because they occur at the reign of your husband, our
president.

The signing of 2009 Appropriation and Supplementary Budget Bill has been difficult without your husband, the
president. For over five weeks now there’s no end in sight on how to go about this. Everybody has been waiting for
your husband to return and sign the bill. Now the year is ended and I hear that the bill has been taken for him to sign
on his sick bed. I laugh at this development. If your husband is able to read this bill of over 400 pages and sign then he
should as well return to his table at Aso rock Villa and sign more files needing his attention. Moments ago Nigerians
have been told that your husband has signed the Bill in Saudi Arabia after his principal secretary David Edevbhie
returned with his purported signature. But Nigerians are miffed, could this be real or another joke played on
Nigerians?
 5:| Open Letter to Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua
------------------------------------

Nigerians are held hostage and you can help in innumerable ways. This is the reason why this letter is addressed to
you. As mother of Nigerians and lover of Nigeria, I know you have passion for justice like your husband has passion
for rule of law and due process. I know that your heart is passionate about developing this country’s fortunes and I
know that you can listen to a good advice knowing that posterity will judge your actions. Please save Nigeria from
international disgrace and persuade your husband the president of Nigeria to allow the VP Jonathan Goodluck
unrestrained powers to assume the position of acting president pending the return of your husband within the limits
of the constitution. You may say that you are not concerned about whatever happens in Nigeria’s politics, but you
have fallen into it since you have unimpeded access to your husband. You have come to be respected as a silent
politician in your own right, assuming an influential position. This is no mean feat for you from your insignificant
position as house wife to First Lady in Nigeria’s politics; you have risen to be the most influential First Lady since the
years of late Mrs. Maryam Babangida.

When you prevail on those that matter to follow the constitution, then the VP Jonathan Goodluck will assume the
position of acting president which gives opportunity for three things:

So that you take adequate care of your husband in whichever way you deem appropriate. It does not diminish your powerful
position as First Lady of Nigeria as long as your husband is safe in Saudi Arabia getting better from his ailment.
Whenever he’s recuperated from his health condition, he can return to continue his tenure and warm up for 2011
elections for a second term. Health is wealth.

So that Nigeria can move forward and be like other civilized nations of the world. Nigeria’s progress is deteriorating on a daily
basis due to Mr. President’s absence. When the VP Jonathan Goodluck assumes the position of acting President, he
will assist in building our country by redirecting on course the ship of state which is drifting afar into unknown. A
stitch in time saves nine.

Lastly, so that you will be our hero and history will accord you respect. Once the VP continues your husband’s tenure in
office, it is to the credit of your husband who swore to protect the integrity of Nigeria and uphold its constitution.
The VP is not to be taken on his merit as Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, but as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. His office and that of your husband began concurrently when your husband swore allegiance to Nigeria’s
constitution. And the VP knows that no matter how long the neck is, the head is still on top.
 6:| Open Letter to Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua
------------------------------------

The VP needs to function according to the specification of our constitution in relation to the office of your Mr.
President. Governance never stops with the absence of one man. He needs to move Nigeria forward and make you
proud as well as all Nigerians proud because the duty of nation building does not reside in one man. It’s a collective
responsibility and a leader is known to be great when he delegates functions to his subordinates. The joy of leadership
is that when one man falls another should be there to continue. This explains why automobiles carry spare tires for
emergency cases. In this case, the VP is a needed assistant to undertake those functions which your husband is allowed
by constitution. Certain forces inimical to the growth of Nigeria are said to mislead you with unpatriotic ideas and unrealistic
propositions which can render our democracy laughable in the eyes of the world. Do not fall to their bait. Do not follow such counsel
as mother of the nation. Your duty at this time is to influence positively those wicked minds coming closer to you to do the wrong
things outside the prescriptions of our constitution.

Nigerians know that you are the hero in all this drama. All eyes are watching to see what comes from you. Let’s give
the bell its tongue to jingle. If you act on the contrary, you will be confirming what many Nigerians have heard from the
rumour mills that you are ambitious. While I pray for your husband’s return soon, I pray for you to bear with the
situation as wife, mother, grandmother including being First Lady. I pray for better Nigeria and brand new Mr.
President after his solitary days in Saudi Arabia.

---------------------------------
YAKUBU a former Director of Media Service Centre Kaduna is priest of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, working in
the Diocese of Phoenix, USA.