**Gusau, Ahmed, Nyako, Lamido, Aliero On VP Shortlist
 

THE refrain that President Umaru Yar'Adua is recovering fast in a Saudi Arabia hospital does not appear to impress the Northern Establishment anymore.

This has touched off strategic secret meetings in and around some capitals in the North to respond to the exigency that the recuperating President may not return to his office very soon to perform urgent presidential functions.

Some of those assignments include the swearing in of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria and the signing of the 2009 supplementary appropriation Bill.

It was gathered at the weekend that there exists a shortlist of likely candidates for the post of vice president if the president has to remain in Saudi Arabia longer than necessary.

On the list is former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed; Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako; Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and the FCT Minister, Alhaji Adamu Aliero.

The names were said to emerge not from inordinate ambition of individuals but "to address an emergency that may occur very soon unless there is a miracle."