As the Financial Times reports, President Yar’Adua’s health has been in question before. It looks like he should be OK this time. But this raises questions about his potential for re-election and about likely successors. In many respects Yar’Adua has been just what Nigeria needs–a leader who unites more than he divides.
Nigerian leader in hospital
By William Wallis, Africa Editor
Published: November 27 2009 01:53 | Last updated: November 27 2009 01:53
Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria’s president, is suffering from acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the heart, according to an unusually frank statement issued by his personal physician on Thursday.
Mr Yar’Adua was rushed to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment earlier this week, fuelling fresh speculation about his health in the Nigerian press and prompting questions from opposition groups over whether he is fit enough to remain in office.
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Doctors at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, confirmed an initial diagnosis of acute pericarditis, a condition that normally takes one to three weeks to treat but in extreme cases requires surgery.
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Michael Nelson 