Textile workers fault govs as prayer warriors

By Emeka Mamah
Kaduna—A member  of the extended family of President Umaru Yar’Adua, Hajia Binta Kuraje, yesterday rose in strong defence of her brother, for the first time, describing those calling for the resignation of the ailing President as corrupt.
Speaking on behalf of the family, in Kaduna, she lashed at the anti-Yar’Adua forces, explaining that they were opposed to the Federal Government’s anti-graft war.

Meantime, textile workers in the country have said the best way to sympathise with Yar’Adua is for governors and ministers to work hard to realise his promise of providing social amenities for the people and not to form cults of prayer warriors or junketing to Saudi Arabia where he is hospitalised

Binta, an ex-women leader of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, also expressed bitterness with such agitators, assuring that Yar’Adua will soon bounce back stronger to resume the leadership of the country.
She said those agitating for Yar’Adua’s resignation should also think about the need for the sustenance of democracy in the country.

According to her, the life of any human being is in the hands of the Almighty God who is the author of life and death, stressing that  Yar’Adua’s style of leadership can’t be “changed by anyone.

“The President has the ability and capacity to lead the country for another 16 years.” (assuming the constitution allows it.)

President Umaru Musa Yar’adua (centre) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (l) and Gov. Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State at during a rally to official welcome Gov. Ohakim Ikedi of back to PDP

“Those clamouring for the death of the President or for his removal must know that death itself is inevitable,’’ she said, adding that power belongs to Allah.

“Those calling for unconstitutional change of government are the real enemies of democracy in the country with vested selfish interests and ulterior motives calculated at creating disharmony and the total disintegration of the country.

“The corrupt politicians in the country are not comfortable with the present administration’s pursuit of the war against corruption.

“His rumoured death is the handiwork of corrupt politicians in the country who are not comfortable with his style of administration.

“Those politicians have lost out of the struggle for power. Yar’Adua is an incorruptible leader like the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“Why do you wish others dead when you know that death is inevitable? Power is of Allah. So, nobody can change the president. We will soon bounce back Insha Allah.

“The situation in the Niger Delta before now is very pathetic as a result of past neglects by governments. Look at what Yar’Adua has achieved in less than three years of his administration. This is what other administrations could not achieve.

The achievement so far recorded in bringing peace to the area by the President deserves the commendation of all Nigerians,” she said.

Textile workers  on Yar’Adua’s health

Relatedly, textile workers in the country have said the best way to sympathise with the ailing President is for governors and ministers to work hard to realise his promise of providing social amenities for the people and not to form cults of prayer warriors or junketing to Saudi Arabia where he is hospitalised.

The union’s General Secretary and Vice-President of the Nigerian Labour Congress ,NLC, Mr.Isah Aremu, said.
In a statement in Kaduna, yesterday evening, Aremu, however, praised Nigerians who have expressed their views on Yar’Adua’s health situation, noting that such debates were healthy for democracy.

“The best way to, therefore, sympathise with the President is not to form another cult of prayer warriors but to show that there are ministers and governors and indeed, genuinely concerned Nigerians who can help the President and indeed, the country to concentrate on good governance and ensure those things the President passionately wishes for the country, which is about good governance.

“The traffic should therefore not be to Saudi Arabia where the President is receiving treatment (he needs all the rest!).
“The traffic should rather be directed towards fixing the energy crisis, realising the 6,000 mega watts of electricity promised between now and December, fixing the real sector, (industry) and help realize the President’s seven-point agenda, MDGs as well as the lofty Vision 20:2020 now.

“Anything short of the above is another dramatised political charade that adds no value to national development.
“We acknowledge the remarkable concern of all Nigerians regardless of their status about the health of the President of the country, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who is currently receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia.

“The groundswell of solidarity, (irrespective of political callings) for the President who is currently facing some health challenge, underscores the passion, love and sensitivity of Nigerians about their President.

“Even those who might sound uncharitable, unorthodox and even dispassionate by demanding that the President resigns to take care of his health should be seen for what they are: concerned Nigerians.

“The president’s health and his recovery should never divide Nigerians. On the contrary, it should unite all Nigerians to pray for the President, in particular, but work and pray for Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole.

“The volume of expressions of concerns and solidarity on the health of the President by Nigerians indicates that, by and large, we are keeping to the religious dictum: of being our brother’s keeper, in this case, our President’s keeper.

“That shows the fact that the country is alive with sensitive people in spite of the hardship and rising expectations.

Textile workers seek more prayers for him

“Countries still abound in the world where citizens hardly bother about what their leaders do talk more of the health of their President. Even in Nigeria, in recent times of discredited pointed dictatorship, the full disclosures of President

Yar Adua’s health was once a phantom or a sheer taboo. “We can therefore rightly say that the current health discourse of the President further points to the strength of democratic process.

“All said, all Nigerians must renew their wish and prayers of all Nigerians that the President should get well soon and resume work for which he was elected.

“We can only continue to pray for his quick recovery, not less.”