The President may write the National Assembly that he is proceeding on vacation to take care of his health, it was learnt yesterday.
The vacation is to enable President Umaru Yar’Adua, who has been in Saudi Arabia since November 23 for treatment of acute pericarditis (inflammation of the heart’s lining) have enough time to recuperate.
The letter will also pave the way for Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to act as president.
Sources said his family may bring him back home for recuperation once his condition stabilises.
He may be followed home by some of his doctors, a source said.
Another said yesterday: “The President is responding to treatment. Let’s see what happens this week. The man will soon be back on his feet.”
The President’s decision to travel without notifying the National Assmebly has been a source of controversy.
Some have argued that he should have written to the Assembly, especially because of his ill health, and hand over to Jonathan.
His health condition has prompted calls for his resignation. Besides, it has sparked intrigues on the President’s political future.
It was learnt that the First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, and other members of the family are upset by conflicting reports on the President’s health.
The family is said to be unhappy by the allegation that the President’s illness has slowed down governance.
A source said the family spent “considerable time” at weekend to weigh options, which the First Lady had discussed with some of her confidants and friends on the phone from Saudi Arabia.
The source said: “The family has decided to watch his health between now and tomorrow after which a letter might be sent to the Assembly to enable the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to act as President – in line with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
“As for the Yar’Aduas, they are happy with the Vice-President who does not take any decision without consulting members of the President’s kitchen cabinet. Yet, this is no fault of his.
“If the President eventually writes, it would stave off pressure and insinuations on him that he has deliberately brought down the machinery of government.
“The family believes that some Nigerians have been unfair in their comments, especially scathing remarks against the First Lady. They are considering a letter to the National Assembly to enable the President recuperate.
Section 145 reads: “Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation, or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.”
The absence of the President has prevented the Vice-President from attending to some state matters.
These include signing of the 2009 Supplementary Appropriation Bill; signing of the 2010 Appropriation Bill; authorisation of withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government of the Federation for a period not exceeding six months; convening of the Council of State Meeting; approval of the list of 2009 National Awards, reconstitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Defence Council or the National Security Council, National Judicial Council, and the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Population Commission.
The options being considered are whether to bring the President back home or allow him to remain in Saudi Arabia for recuperation.
The source added: “So far, the President’s condition is not stable enough for a long-haul flight but it is the wish of the family to bring him back to Nigeria.
“When the President is strong enough for the flight, I think some doctors may accompany him to monitor his recuperation.”