Posted by By WALE ALABI, Lagos, MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta HAMMED BODUNRIN, Osogbo, NWAGBO NNENYELIKE. Ilorin and ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina on
Like wildfire during harmattan, rumours of the death of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential standard bearer Wednesday, spread across the nation causing pandemonium in political circle, confusion in corporate world and palpable fear in the hearts of the ordinary man in the streets.
Like wildfire during harmattan, rumours of the death of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential standard bearer Wednesday, spread across the nation causing pandemonium in political circle, confusion in corporate world and palpable fear in the hearts of the ordinary man in the streets.
As early as 7a.m when newspapers in different parts of the country hit the streets with the story that Yar'Adua had been flown abroad following his deteriorating health condition, the rumour mills went to works. In offices, buses, taxis, hospitals, banks, major markets, mosques and churches, the story was the same: Yar'Adua is dead. Yet no one was able to confirm the veracity or the source of the rumour.
Perhaps what further gave credence to the rumour was the CNN breaking news which disclosed that Yar'Adua was in a coma aired early in the day.
The banner headlines in newspapers early in the morning on Yar'Adua's ill-health and the CNN report heightened the anxiety across the land. From Katsina to Lagos, Ibadan to Benin, Port Harcourt to Enugu, the story was the same, Yar'Adua is dead.
Perhaps mostly affected by the rumour was Katsina State where Yar'Adua hailed from and is still serving as governor.
At the governor's residence, the premises retained the desolate look it had won since the governor left with his household for Abuja few days back in continuation of his campaign. Activities in his office had been at best skeletal since he joined the presidential race as he shifted the bulk of work on his table to his deputy, Alhaji Abdulai Garba Aminchi.
Aminchi's office, some metres away from the governor's office on Wednesday, was unusually quiet. Only few visitors were seen at the premises. Even the mood of Aminchi's aides and security operatives at his office was unusually subdued.
The ultra modern state secretariat of the government located several kilometres away from the Government House was not spared the confusion that trailed the rumour.
Most residents of the ancient city who woke up to the news of the alleged demise of the governor went about their activities praying that the speculations fizzled away like the early morning haze.
In Abeokuta the rumour for several hours disrupted the planned campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital and the home-town of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The M. K. O. Abiola Stadium which initially was full to capacity with supporters who had thronged there as early as 8.00 a.m. thinned as the rumour spread.
PDP chieftains among the state Chairman of the party, Chief Joju Fadairo, refused to make any official comment on it saying: 'I don't know your source, but I must tell you that I have not heard anything like that."
Despite this, invited guests particularly traditional rulers who had sat for more than three hours, rushed out of the venue as people discussed in hushed tones.
Reacting to the rumour, Chairman of the Board of Trustee of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, who addressed supporters at about 2.40 p.m., said there was no iota of truth in the rumoured death.
In Osogbo, Osun State the rumour caused stir among the party members and supporters.
The information which filtered out as early as 7am in the morning also kept journalists on their toes looking for sources to confirm the authenticity or otherwise of the story.
People were sighted discussing the issue in low tones in groups while some were seeking information on the constitutional provision for the next line of action in case a presidential candidate dies.
The Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki described the news about the death of the Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as a lie saying that he spoke to him on phone from the Palace of Etsu Nupe in Patigi by 3.30 pm on Wednesday.
Dr. Saraki who stated this in chat with newsmen during his campaign rally in Patigi, Patigi Local Government Area, also said he spoke to Alhaji Musa Yar'Adua between 12.00 noon and 2.30pm same Wednesday.