There’s still a vacuum

IN THE early hours of February 24th Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria’s ailing and long-absent president, finally came home. After three months in a clinic in Saudi Arabia, the saga over who is in charge of Africa’s most populous country is bound to resume.

The matter seemed to have been solved just two weeks ago. Goodluck Jonathan, the vice-president, took over the top job on February 9th after the prolonged power vacuum had seen government business slow down, investors grow querulous and militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta threaten to resume their rebellion.

But, suspiciously soon after Mr Jonathan took up the reins of office as a caretaker, the president is back. Mr Yar’Adua’s spokesman said he would not return to work straightaway and that Mr Jonathan would stay in charge while he recuperates. No timetable was given. All that is certain is that the unexpected homecoming adds to the uncertainty. Mr Jonathan cannot make any long-term plans for his time in office, as his stint could end at any minute.

Some people in Abuja, the capital, say the president’s return is more about undermining the handover than a sign of improving health. Since taking the helm, Mr Jonathan has seemed fairly active, demoting cabinet ministers loyal to Mr Yar’Adua and trying to revive a peace process with the Delta militants.

But he may now have to tread more carefully. In any event, political jockeying is under way ahead of next year’s elections. Few think Mr Yar’Adua well enough to run for a second term, but few think Mr Jonathan has enough support to run for a first.