There are strong indications that President Goodluck Jonathan may name his vice president next week Tuesday and subsequently seek approval of the National Assembly.
Also on Friday, the United States hailed the "timely inauguration" of President Jonathan, whom it described as the "lawful successor" of late President Umaru Yar'Adua.
"The president is holding consultations as part of efforts to arrive at who will be the nominee for vice president. He will likely send the name to the National Assembly for approval, according to constitutional requirements, by Monday or Tuesday,” a presidency source was quoted to have told Reuters.
Jonathan, who was sworn in on Thursday hours after the death of Yar'Adua, spent most of Friday meeting former Nigerian heads of state, governors, and top officials from the ruling People's Democratic Party on the choice of his vice president.
Three former heads of state - Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan as well as members of the Nigerian Governors Forum led by its chairman, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, who were at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Friday to commiserate with Jonathan over the death of the late Yar'Adua were also said to have been consulted on his choice for the vice presidency.
The former heads of state also congratulated Jonathan on his ascension to the office of President.
Gowon who spoke on behalf of the ex-leaders said the former leaders also used the opportunity of the visit to advise Jonathan to concentrate on electoral reforms and credible elections next year.
The governors described Yar'Adua's death as a national tragedy, adding that it was a personal tragedy for Jonathan, who they said, “has lost not only a great boss, but also a true friend and a loving brother." In an address read on their behalf by Saraki, they said: "the loss that our dear country has suffered is great. Even as we mourn, we beseech the Almighty God to turn our collective grief into a positive energy that will serve this country.
“This is the honour the country owes the late Yar'Adua. He was a great son of Nigeria who believed in Nigeria and who served Nigeria with all the force of his vision of a better way and a greater place for our country."
While congratulating the new president on his inauguration, Saraki admonished him to continue steering the affairs of the nation with "the focus; the commitment and the resourcefulness with which your Excellency has steered the affairs of this country even as the acting president."
In his response, Jonathan said Yar’Adua did his best to promote the interest of the country, and called on Nigerians to ensure the noble ideals he stood for are accomplished. The new President thanked the former heads of state and governors for the tremendous goodwill and support for the late president.
He said Yar'Adua initiated a number of programmes which could have impacted positively on the lives of the people but was slowed down by his health challenges.
The US, in the statement issued by the Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton, also called on the Jonathan administration to continue the march toward next year's general election.
The statement titled: 'The passing of President Umaru Yar'Adua', reads: "United States applauds the timely inauguration of President Jonathan, the lawful successor, and efforts to unify the country at this delicate time. We encourage the Nigerian government to continue its movement toward national democratic elections in 2011 and offer our support and assistance in these efforts."
US also urged all Nigerians "to place their faith and support firmly behind orderly, democratic and constitutional mechanisms."
Meanwhile, Nigerians in the US have continued to mourn the demise of the Nigerian leader. In Washington, flags were flown at half-mast at the ambassador's residence and the chancery, where a condolence register was also opened. Thursday was also observed as work-free day by embassy staff.
In New York, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, on Thursday night, signed the condolence register at the Nigeria House.
Yar'Adua's death however affected a number of Nigerian-related events slated for Thursday. A meeting between Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye and US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Williams Burns, was shifted to next week.
Also affected was the award ceremony of the Certificate of Excellence for the Peace Keeping Training Centre in Kaduna billed to hold at the UN headquarters in New York. Top military brass led by Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Dambazau, had already arrived for the event.
Also, the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper late on Thursday described Yar’Adua as a man of peace, saying "Yar’Adua’s efforts in promoting regional peace and security and his contribution to Nigeria’s leadership role within the international community will be remembered."
The Canadian prime minister in his statement specifically commended Yar’Adua’s efforts at bringing stability and security to the people of the Niger Delta. "Canada is proud of its long partnership with Nigeria, a leader, both regionally and internationally. The past ten years of democratic governance have demonstrated the strength of Nigerians, and this strength will sustain them through the mourning period and beyond.
"I would like to extend, on behalf of the Canadian people, my condolences to the family of President Yar’Adua, the government and the people of Nigeria. Canada has stood with Nigeria through the difficult period of President Yar’Adua’s illness, and Canada mourns with Nigerians his passing," said Harper in a statement issued in Canada.
More condolences also poured in yesterday from world leaders who expressed grief at the death of Yar’Adua.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, and German President Horst Koehler said they were saddened to learn of the passing of Nigerian president and joined President Obama in expressing her condolences to the late president’s family and Nigerians.
Medvedev said he mourned the death of Yar’Adua with the deepest sorrow and noted that contribution made by the late president to strengthen democratic pillars in Nigeria was "priceless." The Russian leader said Yar’Adua gave basic direction to further Nigeria’s economic development "while his balanced and constructive internal policy promoted stability and peace for the country.
"I knew President Yar’Adua as a great friend of Russia, a staunch supporter of cooperation between our nations, who did his best for broadening and deepening the Nigerian-Russian ties," Medvedev said. "President Yar’Adua always sought ways to fulfill his responsibility for peace and security in his country and in the African continent," Koehler said.
"This commitment became apparent particularly during the fourth Africa Forum held in Abuja in November 2008, which we both co-chaired. In Yar’Adua’s death, Germany has lost a partner who showed distinct interest in relation with the European nation,” Koehler added.
In a related development, Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Danjuma Goje has described the late Yar’Adua as “a good, disciplined and experienced leader who was full of vision for a better and great Nigeria but could not achieve or implement his dreams due to ill health.”
The governor stated this while speaking to newsmen at the Gombe Airport shortly before departing for Katsina State for the burial of Yar’Adua.
Source: Thisdayonline.com
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