Some 50 prominent politicians in Nigeria on Wednesday urged the country's ailing president Umaru Yar'Adua to resign from his post over health reasons, pointing out that his prolonged ill-health has prevented him from carrying out his duties effectively.
"We sympathize with him and believe that his health should be given priority attention. At the same time, the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised," the politicians said in a statement.
"Within the last few months, he has been unable to attend to crucial affairs of the state at home and abroad and whenever he has found time to do so, his judgment appears impaired by his ill-health," it added.
The group also urged Yar'Adua to "immediately and unconditionally hand over to Vice-president Goodluck Jonathan to complete the current term of office," as he was unable to to discharge the functions of his office as required by Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
They also requested the Federal Executive Council to pass a "resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office."
According to Article 144 (1) of the 1999 constitution, the president ceases to hold office if a two-thirds cabinet majority passes a resolution declaring he is incapable of discharging his functions and that declaration is verified by a medical panel of five doctors including his personal physician.
However, Nigeria's cabinet rejected their calls and agreed unanimously that there was no reason for President Yar'Adua "to resign his appointment on the ground of ill health."
A statement read out by Information Minister Dora Akunyili said that the cabinet "unanimously resolved that there is no basis for the invocation (of section 144).. for the reason that the president has not been found incapable of discharging his functions."
Yar'Adua is currently undergoing treatment at the King Faisal specialist hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for acute pericarditis, or inflammation of the lining around the heart. Yar'Adua was flown there for treatment after he complained of severe chest pain while returning from a mosque after offering prayers on 20th November.
This is the second time that Yar'Adua has sought treatment from hospitals in Saudi Arabia, and has twice been flown to Germany for emergency treatment in the past. In addition, Yar'Adua has been suffering from a chronic kidney condition for at least 10 years, and his recurring health problems have prevented him from performing a number of official duties.
Following Yar'Adua's hospitalization, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan took over presidential powers until the president returns from Saudi Arabia after completing his treatment there. Jonathan has said that Yar'Adua was responding well to treatment, but has so far avoided making any comments on reports indicating that the president might be forced to resign from his post because of political pressure over his prolonged illness.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.