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Umunna: Leadership vacuum should not reignite other tensions in Nigeria
Thursday, 28 January 2010 07:49 | 
British Government responds to concerns over power vacuum in Nigeria
28th January 2010: Mr. Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has obtained confirmation from Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP on the British government's understanding of the political crisis in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar'Adua is reportedly suffering from a heart condition and has been receiving medical attention in Saudi Arabia since 23rd November 2009. His departure from Nigeria has led to concerns about a potential power vacuum and even prompted reports of his death.
The Streatham parliamentary constituency has one of the biggest West African populations in Britain. If elected, Mr. Umunna would become the first male MP of Nigerian descent to sit in the British House of Commons and the first ethnic minority MP to represent one of the three constituencies covering the Brixton area in London.
Commenting on the situation in Nigeria, Mr. Umunna said: "I, like many other Britons with family in Nigeria, have been monitoring the situation there closely and I know that the Nigerian community here is gravely concerned about the apparent power vacuum and the health of the President.
"Not only will the Nigerian community here want to wish the President a speedy recovery but, above all, will want to see the return of political stability.
"The President has now been out of the country for two months and yet he has not handed over power to his deputy as one would expect".
The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Miliband has confirmed to Mr. Umunna that he recently spoke with Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, and urged adherence to the Nigerian constitution.
Commenting on the British government’s position, Mr. Umunna said: "I have been in contact with the Foreign Secretary on this issue and he recently spoke with his Nigerian counterpart, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, about the political situation in Nigeria.
"The Nigerian community here can rest assured that the British government shares their concerns and is urging adherence to the constitution in Nigeria at all times.
"It is important that the uncertainty and leadership vacuum does not reignite other tensions in Nigeria, such as those in the Niger Delta and in northern Nigeria."
President Yar'Adua remains in a serious condition in Saudi Arabia. He gave a three minute telephone interview to BBC Hausa on 12th January 2010. Nigeria's Senate and cabinet are currently in dispute over whether the President is fit to govern.