Pericarditis, a medical jargon for inflamed heart condition, was the tale they spun on the night of your departure. We were disturbed. We were worried because matters of the heart are usually serious matters. We love you so much and we didn't want our own hearts to be broken either, not after we have suffered many heart aches since May 29, 1999 when a "government of the people by the people and for the people" was handed to us after much struggle and asphyxiation in the rough hands of the military. Some of our uncles, aunts, wives and brothers even paid dearly with their own blood.
As we write this letter with of course mortifying pains in our much-troubled hearts, we are yet to get over the shock of losing MKO Abiola, his wife Kudirat, Pa Alfred Rewane and others whose blood was shed by agents of the repressive cabal, just so we might have a 'government of the people'. We were really pained by the news of your heart condition. The heart of man is not so strong. It is even worse when such a heart is inflamed either exteriorly or within its internal linings. That was why we gave ourselves to much intercessory prayer. We prayed for your quick recovery.
You may not know this, but our hearts leapt with joy the other day when we heard your voice on radio. There had been much argument over why you chose the BBC to speak to your people when you could have effectively communicated to us via our own FRCN. Some even argued that it wasn't you who spoke. They mischievously contrived a story. They said that with modern technology, anybody's voice could be faked, aped or copied. They insisted they will not believe until they see you in flesh and blood.
We see this as an act of extreme wickedness, especially on the part of those who insist you are brain-dead. We the people believe you are alive. We believe it was you who spoke, though laboriously. But what does it matter; after all, it is written in the Holy Writ, that a "living dog is better than a dead lion". Yet, we prayed. We still do. We believe that every broken heart can be mended; that an impaired heart can be repaired. We have confidence in the efficacy of prayer. We believe that doctors - whether in Saudi or Sao Tome - only care but God cures.
Yet, while we pray, something else pops up to prey on our hearts. This time, it is from somebody who should know having worked closely with you. Dad, while you were away and shortly after you had assured us you would be back as soon as the Saudi doctors certify you okay, a statesman of no mean reputation was all over town advertising your medical certificate. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, a man you can identify even in your haziest dream, was up and about with a carefully scripted narrative that jolted some of us and thrust us deeper into the alley of confusion.
Obasanjo says it is not only your heart that is in pain. He says your kidney is also impaired. He even claims to have seen and studied your medical certificate. And having assured himself of the synopsis and prognosis of your renal condition, he decided to make you our king. Yet, he's not a doctor and ought not to see or vet your medical report. And this is the source of our confusion; did you actually submit your medical report to Obasanjo just because you wanted to be president at all cost? What exactly was your motivation: the allure of power, the perks of office or an undying passion to serve? Obasanjo said it had been so even while you were governor of Katsina State.
Kidney failure or renal dysfunction is a very serious ailment. It gets even more threatening when fibrous tissues lining the heart are also inflamed (Pericarditis). Now, we are dealing with two major organs of the body. The kidney (according to 'Dr' Obasanjo) and the heart (according to your office).
We the people consider this a bit much for one man to bear. We think you need rest at this time; never mind what the doctors and the bunch of praise-singers around you say about your being 'fit as fiddle'.
Obasanjo, in spite of himself, counselled you to do the honourable thing at this time. He implied you should resign if you consider yourself unfit to discharge the duty of State. We the people think you should do just that. We appreciate the sacrifice you have made so far, having put your life on the line for the sake of 150 million ungrateful people.
It is clear that the economics of having you in office would be more damaging than that of handing over to your deputy in line with the rule of law, a philosophy you so deeply cherish. We sincerely wish you will heed the Obasanjo message in spite of the grating mannerisms of the messenger.
