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Nigeria President Yar'Adua dies Nigeria President Yar'Adua dies
(10 minutes later)
Fifty-eight-year-old Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua died at his presidential villa on Wednesday, state TV has said. Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has died at his presidential villa, state television announced.
A presidential aide and the information minister confirmed his death. Mr Yar'Adua, who became president in 2007, had been ill for some time. A presidential aide and the information minister confirmed his death. Mr Yar'Adua, 58, who became president in 2007, had been ill for some time.
The government announced seven days of national mourning and said the president would be buried on Thursday.The government announced seven days of national mourning and said the president would be buried on Thursday.
Under the constitution, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, in charge since February, is to be sworn in as leader.Under the constitution, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, in charge since February, is to be sworn in as leader.
ANALYSIS Martin Plaut, BBC World Service Africa editorANALYSIS Martin Plaut, BBC World Service Africa editor
The uncertainty at the heart of Nigeria has been tremendously destabilising.The uncertainty at the heart of Nigeria has been tremendously destabilising.
There has been considerable unrest in the central state of Jos recently with clashes between Muslims and Christians, and people put this down partly at least to the fact that there was not a firm hand at the centre of power.There has been considerable unrest in the central state of Jos recently with clashes between Muslims and Christians, and people put this down partly at least to the fact that there was not a firm hand at the centre of power.
Goodluck Jonathan is already exercising control. He will take over.Goodluck Jonathan is already exercising control. He will take over.
But this does cause difficulties because there is a convention that this was the turn of the Nigerian Muslims from the north to control Nigeria and Goodluck Jonathan is from the south.But this does cause difficulties because there is a convention that this was the turn of the Nigerian Muslims from the north to control Nigeria and Goodluck Jonathan is from the south.
He will be taking over during the turn of the Nigerian northerners, the Muslims, to control Nigeria.He will be taking over during the turn of the Nigerian northerners, the Muslims, to control Nigeria.
The Nigerian Television Authority interrupted its normal programming to announce the news, in a brief statement early on Thursday.The Nigerian Television Authority interrupted its normal programming to announce the news, in a brief statement early on Thursday.
The announcer said: "The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died a few hours ago at the presidential villa.The announcer said: "The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died a few hours ago at the presidential villa.
"Security aides notified the national security adviser, General Anou Bissou, who immediately called the acting president. The late president has been ill for some time.""Security aides notified the national security adviser, General Anou Bissou, who immediately called the acting president. The late president has been ill for some time."
Mr Yar'Adua, a Muslim, will be laid to rest later on Thursday in his home state of Katsina, in the north of the country.Mr Yar'Adua, a Muslim, will be laid to rest later on Thursday in his home state of Katsina, in the north of the country.
A spokesman for Mr Jonathan said the acting president received the news with "shock and sadness".A spokesman for Mr Jonathan said the acting president received the news with "shock and sadness".
Reports from Nigeria said Mr Yar'Adua died between 2100 (2000 GMT) and 2200 (2100 GMT) on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja.Reports from Nigeria said Mr Yar'Adua died between 2100 (2000 GMT) and 2200 (2100 GMT) on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja.
Obama tributeObama tribute
US President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders.US President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders.
Mr Obama praised "President Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service, and his passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people".Mr Obama praised "President Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service, and his passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people".
UMARU YAR'ADUA Born in northern Katsina state in 1951University chemistry professor before entering politicsMarried, with nine childrenElected president in 2007 promising reformsFell ill repeatedly while in office Obituary: President Umaru Yar'Adua Profile: Goodluck Jonathan Yar'Adua dead: Your commentsUMARU YAR'ADUA Born in northern Katsina state in 1951University chemistry professor before entering politicsMarried, with nine childrenElected president in 2007 promising reformsFell ill repeatedly while in office Obituary: President Umaru Yar'Adua Profile: Goodluck Jonathan Yar'Adua dead: Your comments
In November, Mr Yar'Adua went to a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for several months, during which time he was not heard from, apart from a BBC interview.In November, Mr Yar'Adua went to a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for several months, during which time he was not heard from, apart from a BBC interview.
He told the BBC by telephone in January that he was recovering and hoped with "tremendous progress" to resume his duties.He told the BBC by telephone in January that he was recovering and hoped with "tremendous progress" to resume his duties.
A presidential spokesman said at the time that he was being treated for acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.A presidential spokesman said at the time that he was being treated for acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.
His long absence and the lack of detailed information about his health led to a political limbo in Nigeria that was only filled when Mr Jonathan was named acting president.His long absence and the lack of detailed information about his health led to a political limbo in Nigeria that was only filled when Mr Jonathan was named acting president.
Mr Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria later in February, but Mr Jonathan remained as acting president.Mr Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria later in February, but Mr Jonathan remained as acting president.
There had been tension between the two men's supporters and in March Mr Jonathan dissolved the cabinet and later put his own team in place.There had been tension between the two men's supporters and in March Mr Jonathan dissolved the cabinet and later put his own team in place.
According to Nigeria's constitution, Mr Jonathan is to choose a deputy with whom he will serve out the remainder of the presidential term until elections, which were due next year.According to Nigeria's constitution, Mr Jonathan is to choose a deputy with whom he will serve out the remainder of the presidential term until elections, which were due next year.
Quiet manQuiet man
Mr Yar'Adua's election in 2007 marked the first transfer of power from one civilian president to another since Nigeria's independence in 1960.Mr Yar'Adua's election in 2007 marked the first transfer of power from one civilian president to another since Nigeria's independence in 1960.
The life of Nigerian President Yar'AduaThe life of Nigerian President Yar'Adua
He came to power promising a long list of reforms, including tackling corruption and reforming the inadequate power sector and the flawed electoral system.He came to power promising a long list of reforms, including tackling corruption and reforming the inadequate power sector and the flawed electoral system.
He made progress in banking reforms, but analysts say he made the most progress of his tenure in tackling the unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta, by offering an amnesty to rebels.He made progress in banking reforms, but analysts say he made the most progress of his tenure in tackling the unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta, by offering an amnesty to rebels.
The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in Jos, central Nigeria, says President Yar'Adua will be fondly remembered as a quiet and softly-spoken man whose integrity was respected.The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in Jos, central Nigeria, says President Yar'Adua will be fondly remembered as a quiet and softly-spoken man whose integrity was respected.
But in his last months, it was clear he was too ill to take decisions himself.But in his last months, it was clear he was too ill to take decisions himself.
His family and closest political advisers had faced severe criticism and were accused of using him to hold on to power, says our correspondent.His family and closest political advisers had faced severe criticism and were accused of using him to hold on to power, says our correspondent.
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