Lots of buzz abound since Nigerian President, Umaru Yar’Adua returned home from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.  As newswires report, he wasn’t seen by anyone outside of his immediate circle.   He was moved (some report, carried) from a plane to an ambulance and then directly to the presidential villa.  What does this all mean for Nigeria?

‘Tis the question of the day. And while no one knows exactly what is going to happen, according to some, a potential power struggle is looming.  After President Yar’Adua’s nearly three month absence, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was granted executive authority by the National Assembly two weeks ago.  Upon the return of the president,  Information Minister Dora Akunyili reportedly said,  ”[Jonathan] cannot go back to Vice President until the National Assembly reverses their resolution that made him Acting President, which was even supported by the Federal Executive Council and more importantly by most Nigerians.”

Acting Pres. Goodluck Jonathan, after receiving executive authority Feb 10, 2010

President Umaru Yar'adua, in healthier times.

It will be interesting to see how everything pans out and the course Nigerian politics at the national level has to take, but something I found interesting about all this was the way in which the President returned, well articulated on Akin’s blog:

The sad part of the news is nuanced in the fact that he was transported rather than a traveller, he was carried rather than walking, he arrived unseen, unwelcomed, unheralded, un-ushered and absent from press coverage under the cloak of darkness.

Unwelcomed, unheralded, un-ushered and absent from press.  Understandably, he’s very ill. But any type of communication from him or his handlers would have been nice, no?  President Obama can go to the local convenience store and back in the States and people will be reacting; whether jeers or cheers, applause or boos, you will definitely hear something.  Doesn’t seem to be the case in Naija. Why?

What’s your take on the situation? Drop a line in the comments below.

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