NDIGBO AND THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS

President Muhammadu Buhari ailment is of concern to all Nigerians although one cannot rule out those who are now capitalising on it to hit back at his political party and supporters. This is not news, but we must mourn with the nation and admonish those who are discouraged and despaired about the condition of the president’s health not to worry; that it shall be well.

The campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2015 was to harmer on the age and health of the-then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Notable among these campaigners - and who are still criticising the president on his health condition, is Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State. Just few days ago, the PDP asked the president to resign from office. The Presidency, through the Special Adviser (Media) to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, ruled out the president’s resignation.

In the last three weeks, the president has not been seen either in the Wednesday Federal Executive Council meetings or in the Friday Jumat services. The question arising from this development is: can the president continue in office? To answer this question properly, one will need to examine antecedents in developed polities so as to learn from them. And, in conclusion, we will then examine what the Nigerian Constitution says.

Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as American President at the age of 62. He had rotten teeth, chronic headache, failing eyesight, bleeding in his lung, internal infections and pain from two bullets wounds on two separate occasions. He never resigned until his term was over.

President Grover Cleveland ruled America between 1894 and 1897. He suffered from obesity, gout and nephritis (inflammation of the kidney.) He ultimately died of heart attack in office.

Woodrow Wilson was president between 1913 and 1921. Wilson had hypertension, headaches, double vision, strokes that rendered him blind, having been partially paralysed. He kept the paralysis secret until it was discovered which instigated the 25th Amendments to the American Constitution - that the vice-president will take over power upon the president’s death, resignation or disability. This is in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, Section 136; Section 144 sub section (b) (2). The Franklin D. Roosevelt administration of 1933 to 1945 is relevant. At the age of 39, FDR, as he’s fondly called, had a severe attack of polio, resulting in total paralysis of both legs. He continued to rule on wheelchair. But one good thing he did was the funding of polio research which led to the creation of the vaccine.

In 1944, Roosevelt had anorexia and weight loss. In 1945, he experienced severe headache and pain in the legs. He was diagnosed of massive cerebral hemorrhage. He died shortly after.

One of the youngest American presidents was John F. Kennedy. He was diagnosed of a life-threatening disease called Addison’s diseases (an incurable disorder of the adrenal glands). Due to chronic back pain and anxiety, he developed an addiction to painkillers, stimulants and anti-anxiety medication. He was assassinated in Dallas, America. In 1981, Ronald Reagan became the oldest American president and was considered by some to be medically unfit for the position.

Buhari stands a good place in history to disclose his true health status. This will enable his administration to spend taxpayers’ money on this to avert future occurrence. As a matter of fact, Buhari and Reagan share the same fate in term of old age. Though PDP and Fayose opposed Buhari’s candidature because of old age, Nigerians voted overwhelmingly for Buhari. The challenge that Reagan faced is synonymous with Buhari’s. Like Buhari, Reagan struggled constantly with poor health. He experienced urinary tract infection, underwent removal of prostate and suffered from Temporomanidebular Joint disease (TMJ) and arthritis. In 1987, he had operation for prostate and skin cancers, and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

George H. Bush (Snr) almost died as a teenager from a staph infection. As a naval aviator, Bush was exposed to head and lung trauma. Throughout his reign as president, he battled with several bleeding, ulcers, arthritis and vanor cysts.

Before now, there was President Umaru Yar’Adua whose health records were not disclosed. The nation was kept in the dark till the man was brought home partially dead. It is necessary to let the aides of the president realise the fact that public officers are public property. And so, they owe Nigerians the truth about the president’s health status. Nobody can remove the president from office even if he has to operate on wheels in Aso Rock. The only condition that can warrant his removal from office or resignation is in Section 144 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The Section 144 (1) of the constitution talked about the need for the executive members of the federation to pass a resolution that must be approved by two-thirds majority that will declare the president incapable of discharging the functions of his office. This resolution must be verified by medical personnel.

The President of the Senate shall appoint five medical personnel one of whom shall include the President personal physician. The report of these medical officers shall determine the resolution of the Senate. Once the Senate passes the two- thirds majority votes the president ceased to be the president.

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