By Victor Emeruwa, Africanews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
After a prolonged battle with acute pericarditis, a condition of an inflammation of the lining of the heart, Nigeria's President Umar Musa Yar'dua succumbed to the illness at about 10pm Wednesday.

The Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Segun Adeniyi confirmed that the President died and will be buried on Thursday by 2pm in Katsina his hometown.
Goodluck Jonathan who was acting President will now be sworn in as a substantial President on Thursday. This has finally put an end to the power tussle and political tension over Yar’dua’s health, which has affected smooth running of government.
He was last seen in public in November 2009 when he proceeded to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment; he returned on February 24th and was never seen in public before his death.
Yar’dua was Nigeria’s first university graduate President. He would be the fifth President to have died in office since Independence. During his two years in office Yar’dua struggled with his ill health which was compounded by Nigeria’s hostile political atmosphere. But he helped to achieve minimal stability in the troubled Niger delta through the amnesty program.