Senators yesterday rejected a motion urging the Federal Government to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to probe the management of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health from November 23, last year till May 5.
Former President Yar’Adua died at the State House on May 5 after months of treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Many senators kicked against the probe, stressing that it is against the religion of the late President but would be in the interest of the nation to avoid controversies now.
Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekeremadu, Senate Deputy Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, among others, backed the probe, but majority of the senators rejected it.
The Senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of the late President, and approved two delegations to comiserate with President Goodluck Jonathan and Yar’Adua’s family.
It also urged the Federal Government to name a public institution after the late Yar’Adua.
The resolutions, which followed yesterday’s valedictory session in honour of the late president, also gave the senators an opportunity to urge President Jonathan. They demanded improvement in the power sector, credible elections, peace in the Niger Delta and keeping up the fight against corruption.
Mark said: "Clearly, the Federal Government owes the nation an explanation on the shortcoming surrounding the management and handling of our late president when he took ill."
The late Yar’Adua’s health status was shrouded in secrecy, Mark said, stressing that this provided a fertile ground for mischief makers, rumour mongers and spin doctors of all kinds to feed the nation with fairy tales.
"Unfortunately by twist of fate, the death of this peace loving prince of Katsina has generated more questions than answers; we were expectantly waiting for the resumption in office of our president, having been assured at various times that he was recuperating, only to be confronted with the shocking news of his death," the Senate President said.
Mark went on: "If I know the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua very well, these controversies, questions and confusion are the exact opposite of what he would have wished."
But Mark insisted that "the Federal Ggovernment must provide answers to these questions".
Moving the motion earlier, Ekweremadu regretted that inspite of his enormous good will, Yar’Adua had a controversial end, for no fault of his.
He said: "The half truth, deceit and secrecy orchestrated from 23rd of November 2009 when he was flown out on medical vacation to the time of his death was an insult and an embarrassment to the politics which was played with his illness and hospitalisation.
"Some questions that cry for answers are: what exactly was the ailment that killed our president? Did he have the best possible medical treatment? Why did his handlers prefer Saudi Arabia to Germany where he was receiving treatment initially? Was he recovering in Saudi Arabia? Why was he brought home in February? Was he truly aware of the things going on around him? Who was behind the policy of denial of access to our president from the time he left Nigeria in November till his death? What was the reason for the denial of access to all those who had sought to see him, especially his vice president?" he queried.
"He was our president. We need to clear our minds and ensure that such embarrassment will not arise again in this country in future."
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba said: "Mr. President, I rise on behalf of the entire caucus of the South-South of this Senate to join the Deputy Senate President and all of you that have spoken in accenting to all the sentiments that have been expressed. Mr. President, it is our view that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was indeed a good man."
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