The top U.S. diplomat to Africa says he has stressed to Nigerian leaders the importance of a credible 2011 election and urged the country to make electoral reform one of its highest priorities to allow a peaceful transition in line with democratic principles.

TRUE to prediction, the return of President Umaru Yar'Adua from a three-month medical treatment in Saudi Arabia is creating ripples and confusion in Aso Rock, coupled with his refusal to recognise his Deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, as Acting President.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's return to the country is generating fresh tension with regard to the status of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Conflicting signals emerged yesterday, indicating that the presidency appears to be in a quandary in the aftermath of yesterday's dramatic re-appearance of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua after three months of treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Twenty-four hours after ailing President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua returned to the country, he remains a ghost - unseen and unheard by anyone including Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

AS anxiety and confusion persisted in Aso Rock over who presides over Nigeria, the Presidency said, yesterday, that Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will continue to function in the capacity until President Umaru Yar'Adua fully recovered.

AMIDST palpable confusion that enveloped Aso Rock, following the arrival of recuperating President Umaru Yar'Adua, the outcome of a meeting convened by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan in the place of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, which he earlier postponed, revealed that since the arrival of Yar'Adua, Jonathan was yet to set his eyes on him.

AS anxiety and confusion persisted Wednesday in Aso Rock over who presides over Nigeria's presidency, the Presidency said Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will continue to function in the capacity until President Umaru Yar'Adua fully recovers.

Central Bank Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has explained why the Nigerian banks could not make in roads into the South African economy.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sent to the Senate his first set of executive communications, two weeks after the National Assembly passed the historic resolution empowering him to step in the saddle.