Nigeria President Makes Covert Return

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua’s unannounced return has caused surprise and suspicion.
Nigeria President Makes Covert Return
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'adua (C) poses with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (L) and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Johnatan on Nov. 13, 2009 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a courtesy visit in Nigeria. (Wole Emmanuel/AFP/Getty Images)
2/25/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/NIGERIA93030882.jpg" alt="Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'adua (C) poses with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (L) and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Johnatan on Nov. 13, 2009 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a courtesy visit in Nigeria. (Wole Emmanuel/AFP/Getty Images)" title="Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'adua (C) poses with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (L) and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Johnatan on Nov. 13, 2009 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a courtesy visit in Nigeria. (Wole Emmanuel/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1822666"/></a>
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'adua (C) poses with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (L) and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Johnatan on Nov. 13, 2009 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a courtesy visit in Nigeria. (Wole Emmanuel/AFP/Getty Images)
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua’s unannounced return Wednesday after a period of three months absence for medical treatment, has caused surprise and suspicion.

“Yar’Adua sneaks back into Nigeria” read the headline in the Nigeria World newspaper.

While landing, the president was maneuvered out of sight from the public; doubts about his physical condition continue to exist.

Two weeks ago, Vice President Goodluck Johnathan was given full presidential powers, ending a period of internal political struggle and inaction.

The president is reported to be quickly recovering from a heart and kidney ailment but will wait before reclaiming his power. Diplomats and commentators, however, suspect that his return is merely an attempt to hold on to his power.