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Obasanjo warning to ailing leader Obasanjo warning to ailing leader
(9 minutes later)
Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo has suggested that his successor, Umaru Yar'Adua, should resign if he is too ill for office.Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo has suggested that his successor, Umaru Yar'Adua, should resign if he is too ill for office.
He said there was "a path of honour and morality" for an office-holder unable to deliver because of his health.He said there was "a path of honour and morality" for an office-holder unable to deliver because of his health.
Mr Yar'Adua, handpicked by Mr Obasanjo to run for president in 2007, is in a Saudi hospital for a heart condition.Mr Yar'Adua, handpicked by Mr Obasanjo to run for president in 2007, is in a Saudi hospital for a heart condition.
It is Mr Obasanjo's first statement on the president's two-month absence which has prompted fears of a power vacuum.It is Mr Obasanjo's first statement on the president's two-month absence which has prompted fears of a power vacuum.
On Thursday, more than 1,000 gathered in Lagos on Thursday to protest against Mr Yar'Adua's prolonged absence.On Thursday, more than 1,000 gathered in Lagos on Thursday to protest against Mr Yar'Adua's prolonged absence.
Some carried placards saying: "Enough of the offshore president and a people's constitution now."Some carried placards saying: "Enough of the offshore president and a people's constitution now."
The protesters argue that when the president left the country to go to hospital he did not hand executive powers to his deputy, as required by the constitution.The protesters argue that when the president left the country to go to hospital he did not hand executive powers to his deputy, as required by the constitution.
YAR'ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE 23 November 2009: Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia26 November 2009: Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining23 December 2009: First court case filed called him to step down30 December 2009: Chief justice sworn in. Lawyers say this is illegal in president's absence5 January 2010: Two more court cases filed and a human rights group wants president declared "missing"12 January 2010: President gives first interview since going to Saudi Arabia href="/1/hi/world/africa/8455130.stm">Yar'Adua's absence still rankles href="/1/hi/world/africa/6187249.stm">Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua YAR'ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE 23 November 2009: Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia26 November 2009: Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining23 December 2009: First court case filed called him to step down30 December 2009: Chief justice sworn in. Lawyers say this is illegal in president's absence5 January 2010: Two more court cases filed and a human rights group wants president declared "missing"12 January 2010: President gives first interview since going to Saudi Arabia href="/2/hi/africa/8455130.stm">Yar'Adua's absence still rankles href="/2/hi/africa/6187249.stm">Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua
In a BBC interview from his hospital bed last week, the president said he was recovering and hoped to return home, without giving a timeframe.In a BBC interview from his hospital bed last week, the president said he was recovering and hoped to return home, without giving a timeframe.
In the wake of his absence, the president has faced various legal challenges.In the wake of his absence, the president has faced various legal challenges.
Last week one ruling said Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan could perform all presidential duties while Mr Yar'Adua was away.Last week one ruling said Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan could perform all presidential duties while Mr Yar'Adua was away.
But a further three cases aimed at clarifying who rules have been adjourned.But a further three cases aimed at clarifying who rules have been adjourned.
Mr Obasanjo was answering questions at a public lecture when he made the comments about the president's ill health.Mr Obasanjo was answering questions at a public lecture when he made the comments about the president's ill health.
He denied that he had been irresponsible when choosing his successor, AFP news agency reports.He denied that he had been irresponsible when choosing his successor, AFP news agency reports.
"To say that I, Olusegun Obasanjo, deliberately picked somebody who is an invalid, is the height of insult," he said."To say that I, Olusegun Obasanjo, deliberately picked somebody who is an invalid, is the height of insult," he said.
In 2007, he put Mr Yar'Adua, who was known to suffer from a kidney complaint, forward as the ruling People's Democratic Party's presidential candidate when his own attempts to run for a third term floundered.In 2007, he put Mr Yar'Adua, who was known to suffer from a kidney complaint, forward as the ruling People's Democratic Party's presidential candidate when his own attempts to run for a third term floundered.
Analysts said that by backing Mr Yar'Adua to succeed him, Mr Obasanjo had hoped to continue pulling the strings after leaving office.Analysts said that by backing Mr Yar'Adua to succeed him, Mr Obasanjo had hoped to continue pulling the strings after leaving office.
But it has not turned out this way and since then Mr Yar'Adua has proved to be his own man.But it has not turned out this way and since then Mr Yar'Adua has proved to be his own man.