As Nigerian president remains in Saudi hospital, questions arise about nation’s own health

Nigeria’s future, president’s power in question

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria has found itself with an ailing leader and no clear successor after its president left to receive medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Government officials say President Umaru Yar’Adua suffers from acute pericarditis, a heart inflammation that can be fatal. He’s been in a Saudi hospital since late November, raising questions over who is in charge of Africa’s most populous nation.

A group of 50 prominent Nigerians has issued a public letter calling on Yar’Adua to resign if he’s medically incapable of running the country. A human rights activist also has filed a lawsuit over the president’s disappearance. Still, officials have declined to say when, if ever, Yar’Adua will return.