REACTIONS from various quarters on President Umar Yar’Adua’s recurrent hospitalization in a Saudi hospital reflect the profound dilemma of the situation for Nigerians. Of all the reactions, the most remarkable and possibly subversive is the proclamation in the Senate that the president could, if he chose, stay in the Saudi hospital for one year.

THERE has been a tendency to play safe on the part of the Nigerian media with regard to the latest hospitalisation of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The Tribune Newspapers have been the boldest in covering all angles it believes relevant to the developing news.

“In spite of the effusive enthusiasm of this Administration, some Nigerians refuse to celebrate the recent debt relief conditions granted by our major creditors of the Paris club. “Under the terms of the Paris club deal, Nigeria will see $18bn of its total debt of $30bn canceled on condition that it pays the remaining $12.4bn between now and March 2006.

Let me at this point admit some of the constraints you and the president have. His selection and emergence as president have elevated some people into positions of prominence which will be lost if he steps aside. He is also keenly aware of the constitutional provisions stipulating that the vice president should take over if he resigns his office. Since the office of president was zoned to the North in 2007 that would mean that power will rotate back to the South in less than four or even eight years.

SUCH a technocrat, with a track record of good performance in his or her chosen field, of course, should be supported by deputy vice-chancellors who are thoroughbred academics.