Eminent Nigerians today in a press statement asked Umaru Yar’Adua to “immediately and unconditionally hand over to the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to complete the current term of office.” As Acting President, said the 55 signatories who emanate from all over Nigeria, Jonathan should then conduct the next general elections on the basis of the report of the electoral reform committee headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.

In the statement, which was made public only a short while ago, the concerned Nigerians offered Yar’Adua the option of resigning his office immediately, arguing that his poor health “has created a dangerous situation whereby no one is in charge of the affairs of the State contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.”

On the other hand, they said that if Yar’Adua is confident of his current health, he should “request the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office.”

They said such an “honorable step” would enable the Senate President to appoint a Medical Panel to confirm the fitness or otherwise of Yar’Adua to continue in office.”

Sympathizing with Yar’Adua’s condition, the signatories said his health should be given priority attention, but stressed that the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised.

The call for Yar’adua to step down came as the Nigerian senate defeated a motion asking it to 
“pray” for him; thereafter the Senate went on “recess” with plans to resume on December 10 2009.

Below is the text of the press statement:

PRESIDENT YA'ADUA'S HEALTH CONDITION AND THE STATE OF THE NATION
It is clear to every discerning observer that President Umaru Yar'Adua's physical condition has had a negative impact on his ability to discharge the functions of the highest office in our nation. Within the last few months, he has been unable to attend to crucial affairs of the State at home and abroad and whenever he has found time to do so, his judgment appears impaired by his ill-health.

A few examples may suffice:

i. His health condition has necessitated several medical trips abroad but he has not transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he was proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office as required by Section 145 of the Constitution.

ii. President Yar'adua though invited was unable to attend the United nations General Assembly for which a private audience had been arranged between him and President Obama for high level discussions of issues mutually beneficial to Nigeria and the United States because he was in Saudi Arabia to 'open a university' which was a dummy sold to cover up his treatments.

iii. It is also common knowledge that the incapacity of the president has affected the implementation of the nation’s budget because he has been unable to coordinate the management of the national economy and to preside over the Federal Executive Council in a diligent manner.

iv. In the circumstance, Ministers have routinely flouted the orders of the President and engaged in infighting as a direct result in the vacuum of leadership. This was recently embarrassingly exposed to the world with the series of conflicting public statements credited to the Attorney General and the Chair person of the EFCC. This was also exposed further when the president disavowed knowledge of a memo to all foreign missions purportedly on his instructions. Furthermore, till date, ministers continue to flout the public instruction of the president that ministers who presented memos at the FEC should stay behind to brief the media.

v. You may also recall that a battery of doctors complete with their paraphernalia escorted the president to the National Assembly last year to stand by as he delivered the budget and you may also recall that some pundits have revealed that the crisis between the Senate and the house on who should host the budget delivery by the president was contrived to provide an escape for the president who was reportedly physically unable to perform this formal task.

vi. Finally, the current condition of the president has created a dangerous situation whereby no one is in charge of the affairs of the State contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

As responsible and concerned individuals from every part of Nigeria, we call on President Umaru Yar'Adua to immediately choose the honorable option of either:

(a) resigning his office immediately, or

(b) If he is confident of his true physical condition, request the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office. This honorable step will enable the Senate President to appoint a Medical Panel to confirm the fitness or otherwise of the President to continue in office.

As President Yar'Adua's compatriots and part of his larger Nigerian family, we sympathize with him and believe that his health should be given priority attention. At the same time, the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised. Indeed, the Constitution has rightly envisaged the situation in which the country has found itself.

In any event, we are of the view that the President should immediately and unconditionally hand over to the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to complete the current term of office, and conduct the next general elections on the basis of the report of the electoral reform committee headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.

Signed:

(1) Alhaji Balarabe Musa
(2) Chief Olu Falae
(3) Senator Ken Nnamani
(4) Alhaji Aminu Masari
(5) Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd)
(6) Chief John Odigie Oyegun
(7) Dr. Tunji Braithwaite
( Col. Abubakar Umaru (Rtd)
(9) Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN)
(10) Alhaji Buba Galadima
(11) Hon. Olawale Oshun
(12) Dr. Usman Bugaje
(13) Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri
(14) Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
(15) Mr. Femi Falana
(16) Mr. Yinka Odumakin
(17) Alhaji Sadiq Yar’Adua
(18) Hon. Adamu Farouk Aliyu
(19) Chief Jos Ayomike
(20) Hajia Naja’atu Muhammeed
(21) Dr (Mrs) Joe Okei-Odumakin
(22) Ms. Annkio Briggs
(23) Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose
(24) Chief Supo Shonibare
(25) Mr. Odia Ofeimun
(26) Hon. Lawal Garuba
(27) Mr. Biodun Sowunmi
(28) Hon (Dr) Ishaq Kurufi
(29) Hon. Uche Onyeagocha
(30) Hon. Bashir Idrs Nadabo
(31) Mr. Kayode Ogundamisi
(32) Saint George Eke
(33) Mr. Bamidele Aturu
(34) Prof. Sola Adeyeye
(35) Mr. Osita Okechukwu
(36) Hon (Dr) Haruna Yerima
(37) Mr. Anselem Odinkhalu
(38) Mr. Akintoye Branco-Rhodes
(39) Hon. (Dr) Almajiri Gaidam
(40) Alhaji Amitolu Shittu
(41) Mallam Uba Sani
(42) Barrister Supo Ojo
(43) Barrister Sani Hussaini Garun-Gabbas
(44) Mr. Festus Okoye
(45) Mallam Salihu Lukman
(46) Dr Sam Amadi
(47) Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni
(48) Alhaji Kabir Yahaya (49) Hon. Awwal Tukur
(50) Mallam Tanko Yinusa
(51) Mallam Nasir Kura
(52) Achike Chude
(53) Mr. Iboroma Akpana
(54) Mr. Morakinyo Ogele
(55) Dr. Pat Utomi

http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4401:prominent-nigerians-call-on-yaradua-to-resign&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

you see why i call Nigerians a country of cowards

The die is cast. add citizenY to the list

This is another time for Nigerians to pray for the country and leaders.

How did they sign this? What was signed? Hope this is not just for SHOW? Can I sign too? I want to be on the list? 

whatever!

. . .The beans is burning. We need this to become a whirlwind. . .

Number 8 should be Col. Abubakar Umar (not Abubakar Umaru).

Hypocrites.

The list is full of the same people you often refer to as politicians who have failed the nation! Double talk never pays.

The same idiots who have done nothing to help Nigeria, the same El Rufai who you all called Obasanjo's stooge, the same person and others you all accuse of stealing public funds, they are now the savers and messiah of Nigeria?

The saying "The Enemy of your enemy is your friend" comes to mind!

Why are my still looking for Atiku Abubakar in that list

A cursory look at the list of the so called prominent Nigerians calling for the president to resign will reveal that these are failed politicians, expired intellectuals, bankrupt professionals or purely jobless and out of favour idiots. Certainly, the 55 ordinary Nigerians listed above cannot speak for the rest of the 150 million (less 55) Nigerians on the persident terms of office. It will be out of tune if any of the names given above has said anything to the contrary.

They are known enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians who never did any good to better the lot of Nigerians when they had the chance. Now that somebody working for Nigeria and Nigerians is ill, they are asking for him to resign instead of wishing him health and wealth.

@Paroh Frey

I am sure you remember that folklore about the shepherd boy always shouting wollf where there is none.

So nobodi fine for ya record.

You dey scatter ya self too mush for nairaland, anywhere, anyhow. Your yarns no get bearing again. Make you mello na-

You appear like one small chick wey siddon wrongly. Abeg close your legs and shut your mouth.

Expired intellectual and non contributory Paroh [color=#990000][/color]

citizenY:

@Paroh Frey

I am sure you remember that folklore about the shepherd boy always shouting wollf where there is none.

So nobodi fine for ya record.

You dey scatter ya self too mush for nairaland, anywhere, anyhow. Your yarns no get bearing again. Make you mello na-

You appear like one small chick wey siddon wrongly. Abeg close your legs and shut your mouth.

Expired intellectual and non contributory Paroh [color=#990000][/color]

Kai! Nairaland.

citizenY:

@Paroh Frey

I am sure you remember that folklore about the shepherd  boy always shouting wollf where there is none.

So nobodi fine for ya record.

You dey scatter ya self too mush for nairaland, anywhere, anyhow. Your yarns no get bearing again. Make you mello na-

You appear like one small chick wey siddon wrongly. Abeg close your legs and shut your mouth.

Expired intellectual and non contributory Paroh [color=#990000][/color]

You just described your mother and father. keppit up boy.

Paroh_frey:

You just described your mother and father. keppit up boy.

The guy never mentioned any of your folks na. Face him not his parents. He is still leading 1-0 sha

citizenY:

@Paroh Frey

I am sure you remember that folklore about the shepherd  boy always shouting wollf where there is none.

So nobodi fine for ya record.

You dey scatter ya self too mush for nairaland, anywhere, anyhow. Your yarns no get bearing again. Make you mello na-

You appear like one small chick wey siddon wrongly. Abeg close your legs and shut your mouth.

Expired intellectual and non contributory Paroh [color=#990000][/color]

Kai! CitizenY, you really swatted that wretched girl baby walakolobo.

;Dbaby walakolobo Kai! Kai!! lmao

Where is Becomerich when you need him?

however, there are 20 individuals of Northern extraction on that list! This is significant in its outlook. Though this report has not yet been verified, i find it imperative to believe now and disbelieve later.
Paroh Frey and his/her cohorts are barking down a wrong tree

Nairaladers should learn to ignore this paroh frey aka walakolobo. He is a beneficiary of the corrupt system.

BTW, how come my name is not in d list. I have been calling on Yaradua to resign since, or am I not prominent enough? --- em em -- let me check dat list again, i dey come

OAM4J:

Nairaladers should learn to ignore this paroh frey aka walakolobo. He is a beneficiary of the corrupt system.

BTW, how come my name is not in d list. I have been calling on Yaradua to resign since, or am I not prominent enough? --- em em -- let me check dat list again, i dey come

What is your surname. Tell me and I will tell you why you are not in the list

@paroh frey
Apparently your mental incapability and irrational thinking is getting to a stage where you should be permanently sectioned for your own good.

Who is no 32 - saint george eke?

Jaybee2412:

@paroh frey
Apparently your mental incapability and irrational thinking is getting to a stage where you should be permanently sectioned for your own good.

Your mother's smelly pus sy is oozing into your brain.

@paroh frey
Guess you are a bastard or your parents have since disowned you hence you have no better way of getting @ people than to insult their parents. Look around! your nemesis/nightmare - CyberG is around the corner, run for your life!

@Paroh frey

[b]
You just described your mother and father. keppit up boy.

Look, no try me Oh.

I never mentioned father or mother. I f you reash taht territory we go do am.

You this yeye girl wey get 2 left legs with your face like the back of a southbound elephant.

My mama no dey sit anyhow like you and no dey talk anyhow. Na so you siddon with your car park

wey look like Ojota bus stop/flyover including the waste site with d rubbish and d smoke. I also saw

the mad traffic from Ikorodu /Palm grove and Oworo with ya clit like Nitel building.Even redeem people sef

just pass through to Sagamu and Ore. I also saw Julius Berger maintaining the expressway.


I dey take you joke, just mind your manners.[/b]