Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
As Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua's hospitalization in Saudi Arabia enters its second month, the country's opposition is getting more concerned. The Action Congress Party demanded visual proof that the ailing president was fit enough to govern after weeks in hospital overseas.
The party’s spokesman, Lai Mohammed said the Nigerian government should provide evidence of Yar'Adua's physical condition, suggesting a dated video recording of the Nigerian leader in his hospital room in Saudi Arabia, reported Reuters.
"It is necessary for President Yar'Adua, if indeed he is recovering as Nigerians have been praying he does, to move fast to reassure his compatriots that the rumors surrounding his ill health are unfounded,” Lai Mohammed said in a statement.
Yar’Adua, 58, is being treated for acute pericarditis (inflammation of the heart’s lining) since November 23 in Saudi Arabia.
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has been presiding over cabinet meetings but he lacks executive powers, which political analysts and senior lawyers believe will affect affairs of State and push the country to the brink of a constitutional crisis.
But Jonathan reiterated over the weekend that President Yar'Adua would return soon and continue his job with renewed vigour and vitality.
However, there have been few updates on the president’s health.
AFCON: 46 hurt in Zambia victory celebrations09/02
African Peer Review Mechanism making progress08/02
Combating HIV infections among African women08/02
Legume cultivation booms in Western Kenya07/02
Malawi vendors chase out Chinese07/02
Zim: Informal sector urged to join HIV battle05/02
Elections: Wole Soyinka warns Mugabe, Wade03/02
AU elections rescheduled for June in Malawi01/02
