This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8533380.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Nigerian president 'returns home' | Nigerian president 'returns home' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has returned home after three months' treatment in Saudi Arabia, officials say, but his condition is unknown. | |
A plane landed from Jeddah at the presidential wing of Abuja airport in the middle of the night, where an ambulance was waiting on the tarmac. | A plane landed from Jeddah at the presidential wing of Abuja airport in the middle of the night, where an ambulance was waiting on the tarmac. |
Earlier this month, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan became acting leader as fears mounted of a power vacuum. | Earlier this month, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan became acting leader as fears mounted of a power vacuum. |
Mr Yar'Adua had been suffering from a heart condition and kidney problems. | Mr Yar'Adua had been suffering from a heart condition and kidney problems. |
The BBC's Ahmed Idris says two planes arrived amid tight security at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 0200 local time (0100 GMT). | |
He just landed at Abuja airport, he is on his way to the [presidential] villa now Government source class="" href="/2/hi/africa/6187249.stm">Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua | |
Although there has been no official confirmation of Mr Yar'Adua's return, two cabinet ministers told our correspondent the president was on board one of the jets. | |
And a government source told Reuters news agency: "[Mr Yar'Adua] just landed at Abuja airport on a Saudi plane escorted by the presidential plane. He is on his way to the [presidential] villa now." | |
Our correspondent says everyone except presidency officials was kept out of the airport. | |
He followed the official convoy the 40km (25 miles) into central Abuja and says there was a military presence every 300m on the route, which became more stringent towards the city centre. | |
Acting President Jonathan has adopted the mantle of power | |
The 58-year-old leader's state of health is unclear, and it is not known whether he wants to return to his post. | |
Mr Yar'Adua was flown out to Jeddah after falling ill last November to be treated for pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane covering and protecting the heart. | |
He has not been seen in public since then and there has been no official report on his health condition. | |
Our correspondent says the rest of Wednesday will be crucial, as Nigerians wait to see whether the president himself turns up to a scheduled cabinet meeting. | |
If he does not appear, questions will be asked as to whether Mr Yar'Adua is fit enough to resume his duties. | If he does not appear, questions will be asked as to whether Mr Yar'Adua is fit enough to resume his duties. |
A delegation of Nigerian ministers had travelled to Saudi Arabia on Monday for an update on Mr Yar'Adua's health. | |
Acting President Jonathan has in his absense been reshuffling ministers, pledging to tackle power shortages and forging ahead with an amnesty for militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta. | |
Some politicians have said he could win support to run for president in elections due by April next year. |