Contradicting an earlier statement by President Goodluck Jonathan that Turai Yar'Adua, wife of former president, did not know about the controversy surrounding the late president's ill-health, Wikileaks has revealed that Mr. Jonathan confided in the US envoy to Nigeria that the uncertainty was created by a cabal led by the first lady.
In its latest releases of cables from US diplomats around the world, Wikileaks yesterday revealed that a meeting held between Mr. Jonathan, then acting president of Nigeria and the then US envoy, Robin Sanders, on February 26 in the vice president's lodge.He explained to her that the controversy surrounding the then ailing president was "created by four people: Turai Yar'Adua [the ailing president's wife]; his Chief Security Officer (CSO), [Yusuf Mohammed Tilde]; his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), [Col. Mustapha Onoedieva]; and his Chief Economic Advisor, [Professor Tanimu Yakubu]."
The late President Umaru Yar'Adua, was sneaked into the country three months after been incommunicado in Saudi Arabia and was never seen until a casket bearing his body was buried.
The leaks revealed that Mr. Jonathan lamented that "he does not know their motives, but expected it was likely for nefarious purposes."
He also reportedly told Ms. Sanders that "people are angry," and did not want to allow those surrounding Yar'Adua to replicate the control and access similar to what they had done in Jeddah for the past three months.
Mr. Jonathan had absolved Mrs. Yar'Adua of any blame over the secrecy that surrounded the illness and death of the late president while speaking during a 50-minute maiden presidential media, saying security agents attached to the president were the ones who made access to Mr. Yar'Adua impossible for anyone, including himself when he was acting president.
Worries over military coup
Other details entailed in the leaks involve concerns by the then acting president on the possibility of the military stating a come back.
He was quoted as saying “the military chiefs are making sure no politicians are reaching out to the rank-and-file, and encouraging the military to stay in the barracks so that the uncertain political situation does not generate coup-like behaviour emanating from the mid-ranks because of the confusion.”
The president also noted that the Northern politicians would always be uncomfortable with him as president, and he understood the ruling People’s Democratic Party picked him as Yar’Adua’s running mate in 2007 because he represented the Niger Delta.
“I was not chosen to be vice president because I had good political experience. I did not. There were a lot more qualified people around to be vice president, but that does not mean I am not my own man,” he reportedly said.
The chaos within the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was also revealed in the leaks, as Mr. Jonathan allegedly claimed he had the intention of dissolving the cabinet of ministers a week before and planned to make the announcement on February 24 at the FEC meeting, but found out that Mr. Yar’Adua was returning, and this dissuaded him from carrying out the action.
The last cabinet meeting, according to the president, was “disastrous and included yelling and screaming, and it is totally dysfunctional.” The leaks claimed Mr. Jonathan stated that he is “not a politician,” but concluded “I will not tolerate a brawl.”
The leaks further revealed that Ms. Sanders encouraged Mr. Jonathan to “change the perception of himself as a regional figure, and be seen, rather, as a national figure, who has the best interest of the nation at heart”, as the US was counting on him to steer Nigeria through the troubled and uncertain period..
The Ambassador also advised Mr. Jonathan to publicly demonstrate that he is not being directed or serving a political purpose for former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, so that his leadership would not be in question and the polity would accept that he had the best interest of the nation at heart.
“It is always hard to judge how some will behave (or surprise you) when leadership is unexpectedly thrown in their lap. The verdict is out on Jonathan and his previously underwhelming personality and performance need to keep us in the cautious lane, but so far, so good. Things are quiet,” Ms. Sanders was alleged to have said.
She had since concluded her mission in Nigeria and has been replaced by Terence P. McCulley.
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