rue leaders are known by the quality of decisions they make. An honest leader is transparent and not constantly second-guessed by the people he leads. These attributes of a leader command trust; and followership is not coerced but earned. However, when a leader's position is subject to suspicion due to underhand maneuvers and deception, it is indubitable that such a leader will never incur the respect and trust of the people.

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Clearly the task before any nation's president is Herculean and requires full dedication to solving the multitudinous problems that may be besetting that nation. This is true of Nigeria where the whole structure of governance has virtually collapsed and the country's gradual decline is evident.

President Umaru Yar'Adua's ascension to power is tainted by manipulation and insincerity. In the wee- hours of the 2007 campaign season, information had it that the then presidential nominee of the PDP is a sick man and may be incapable of leading black Africa's most populous nation.

Unfortunately the lure of power informed Umaru Yar'Adua to ignore the basic quality needed for leadership. This is personal physical fitness. A productive leader radiates good physical, mental and spiritual balance. His composure and daily life should effervesce well being. Little wonder then why the Cuban President, Fidel Castro, let power pass to his younger brother, Raul? A sign of a patriot who will quit and let others continue because age and ill-health were standing in the way of effective functioning. Rather, what did the then nominee of the PDP tell Nigerians about his health? He challenged anyone to a 12-round of squash-racquet game to prove his physical fitness!

Now, more than 16 months into this presidency, no seer is needed to see the crippling health of this president. His body language and physique indicate a sick man, and that whatever ailment is afflicting him impacts negatively his performance as the head of government. President Yar'Adua is pre-occupied with traveling abroad for medical treatment, and has been to Germany more than four times since assumption of office. Currently, in the name of the 'lesser hajj' to Mecca, he is said to be in confinement at a German hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!

For how long shall the people be consumed with discussing shadows rather than substance in our national life? Our President is moved from country to country, under a shroud of secrecy, in search of the elixir that will cure his problem. Undoubtedly, he has lost confidence in the health care delivery system in a country that he leads, making all wonder whether he fully grasps what leadership entails.

In the meantime, presidential duties are suspended anytime he jets out. Sickness of any human evokes sympathy from others, and as one honestly empathizes with Yar'Adua on this health situation, it is simultaneously getting clearer that the job of resuscitating Nigeria's ailing economy and infrastructure cannot be handled by this president.

Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua's acceptance to be president suggests a selfish ulterior motive, which is the sole purpose of using Nigeria's resources to treat his undisclosed health problem? Or, why in the first instance should we be burdened with these ceaseless health-care visitations to foreign hospitals at this time? How many visitations were made to Europe and Saudi Arabia when he was governor of Katsina State for eight years? For a serious servant of the people, why did the health-care delivery system of Katsina not witness revamping during his tenure as governor to the point that his ailment could be treated within the country?

In a nation full of vibrant and energetic people, whose misfortune has been bad leadership, it is dampening to the spirit to note that this president's physical and emotional health has become the main issue. More irritating is the observation that a man who swore to give his best to the nation cannot see the hand-writing on the wall regarding the implication of his constant travels for health care. Or, are we being told that the President's health is a metaphor for the sick Nigerian State?

To compound the insult, news has it that the constitutional role of the Vice-President (VP) is being sidestepped whenever he travels out of the country. President Yar'Adua we are told does not hand-over to the VP, rather to the Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe. Is there a provision for this development in our faulty constitution? Yet, the VP dogs along even when his constitutional role is constantly violated? If the latter is true, it is a sign of the unprincipled in position of authority, and an indication of mistrust at the highest level of power.

Again, conflicting stories are given to the Nigerian people about the president's health status. The citizens do not actually know the specifics of the president's health problem. And this is the man supposedly making a mantra out of the 'rule of law?' Ambivalent stories were peddled about the latest trip to Saudi Arabia. The trip was under the cloak of secrecy, and with pilgrimage as the objective. Even when the actual intent had been published by Saharareporters, an online magazine, for quite a while? Then, who is fooling who? And when all is said and done, the truth is that the 'lesser hajj' was a cover up for medical attention.

Without any equivocation, it is time to call the President to order by telling him in clear terms that we appreciate his efforts to cling unto power. He should go fix his undisclosed health problem before stepping forward to serve the country. The task before the nation is not for a part-time presidency. It requires an unparalleled dedication with no distractions, and a president that is level with the people. Enough is enough, let the provisions and intent of the constitution be adhered to and baton passed to the Vice-President, Jonathan Goodluck, to run the affairs of state with no strings attached.