Nigerians Call on Prez to Prove He's Alive

Some Nigerians suspect their president, who split the country in late November, complaining of chest pains, and has not made a public appearance since, could in fact be dead. Umaru Yar’Adua has failed to weigh in on critical state decisions, and was even mum on the Christmas terror attempt perpetrated by a Nigerian. “The ship of state continues to sail,” the vice president said in an address in his boss’ stead. But some groups aren’t buying it.

“Mr. President has been away from us for some time on account of a medical condition,” the vice president continued, noting that he had spoken to Adua Tuesday. He did not give details of the conversation. “It is a civil-political right to know where our president is and what is the state of his health,” a human rights activist tells the Times of London. Adua suffers—or suffered—from severe kidney and heart conditions. Three separate lawsuits have been filed: to install the VP, to sack Adua, and to vacate cabinet decisions made since Adua left the country. He is thought to be in Saudi Arabia. (More Nigeria stories.)