In spite of the hospitalisation of President Umaru Yar’Adua in a Saudi hospital, the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, yesterday, said the Federal Government machinery would continue to operate optimally. The President who is currently on treatment abroad has elicited unprecedented debate on whether he should continue in office, with political opponents calling for his resignation on ground of incapacitation.
Although Akunyili did not expatiate how the Federal Government could possible run optimally without the President, she assured that government would not be grounded, as argued in some quarters.
However, she commended Nigerians for their concern for the President and urged that they continue to pray for him and his family.
The terse statement reads in full: “The Federal Government wishes to convey her appreciation to all Nigerians who have joined in prayers for quick recovery of our President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
“We appreciate the solidarity and support of the good people of Nigeria in the past few days that Mr. President has been away.
“Government wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to continue to uphold Mr. President, his family, and the nation in prayers at these trying times.
“The Federal Government wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that all machinery of government will continue to function optimally at all levels, as we wait prayerfully for the return of Mr. President.”
President who has been diagnosed with acute Pericarditis, an inflammation of the covering of the heart, has been away from his office at around 3 p.m. on Friday, November 20, after returning from the Abuja Central Mosque where he performed the Juma’at prayers.