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.
