FOR the umpteenth time, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua, has declared that he is healthy enough and physically fit to occupy the exalted seat.
He told newsmen during a chat yesterday at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti that his political opponents should tell Nigerians what they intend to do for the nation rather than making issues out of his health condition.
Pointing out that as human being he was bound to be ill sick at one point or the other, the presidential hopeful said that there is no human being on earth that could guarantee his own continued good health.
He noted that the issue of when to die is in the hands of God, which no human being could determine.
Making light of the controversy, Yar’Adua said that having lived to witness his obituary, he would live longer than what his enemies might have contemplated.
Talking to his political adversaries, Yar’Adua said: “Let us talk about issues that concern the nation, its future, Nigerians and not that somebody will die.”
On why he had not been making pronouncements on the programmes and policies of his government if elected, Yar’Adua said that campaign grounds were not ideal places to talk about programmes since much drumming and dancing go on and many would not usually listen.
He, however, praised the leadership of the PDP and President Olusegun Obasanjo for the attempt at generational shift in the headship of the country, which has given him and his deputy, Dr Jonathan Goodluck, the opportunity to aspire to become the nation’s number one and two leaders.
He noted that already in the nation’s industrial and educational sectors, there had been a generational shift in leadership, adding that it is thoughtful of President Obasanjo to have decided to pass the baton to generation.
On his ability to rule the nation successfully, Yar’Adua said he would rather not talk about himself “because humility demands that you allow others to speak about you.”
However, the presidential aspirant added that what drives a leader to perform is his commitment and beliefs rather than zeal or physical health.
He maintained that a leader who is committed to the development of his country would always get the energy and zeal to carry out his programmes.
Yar’Adua stressed his commitment to the development and progress of the nation, saying that he, like every other human being, has the capacity to achieve whatever he is committed to even in the face of odds.
“When you have the commitment, you will find the energy to carry out your programmes. For me, I know myself. I believe in this country. If I can move the heavens to make this country great, I will do it. That is the kind of hope and belief I have for Nigeria if I have the opportunity to be president,” he stressed.
He maintained that his commitment to the progress of the nation would provide him with the energy to do what he wants to do for the nation.
In Lagos, Yar’Adua said that strong and enduring lessons had emerged from last week’s rumour of his death.
The governor, who spoke with reporters yesterday at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, shortly before returning to Katsina, said first of such lessons was to remain eternally dedicated to the service of the country at any time such an opportunity comes up.
On those who peddled the rumour, the presidential aspirant said: “I wish them well as I know they are Nigerians. I wish Nigerians good health generally. I pray that God in His infinite mercies will soften their hearts because what they are doing is not human.”
He said: “The human spirit does not wish other people ill or to go to the extent of wishing people dead. I pray for them and I pray genuinely that the human spirit of compassion and love will return to their hearts. But those who showed concern, it shows the depth of human spirit in them, the depth of human compassion and love as brothers and sisters and as Nigerians.”
Yar’Adua was flown to Germany last Tuesday for medical treatment and was away for four days. By Wednesday morning, rumours spread that he had passed on.
The governor later spoke on phone with President Olusegun Obasanjo the same day while the President was at a campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He finally returned from Germany on Saturday evening aboard a chartered Falcon Jet to a grand reception held at the Presidential Lounge of the Lagos Airport.