Reuters AlertNet Lite - Ill, me? Let's play squash, says Nigerian candidate

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Ill, me? Let's play squash, says Nigerian candidate

05 Jan 2007 09:36:40 GMT
Source: Reuters

ABUJA, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The presidential candidate from Nigeria's ruling party has challenged his critics to a game of squash to prove he is healthy enough to rule Africa's most populous nation.

Umaru Yar'Adua, a reclusive 55-year-old state governor who suffers from a kidney condition, made his first public comments about his health since the People's Democratic Party (PDP) chose him as its flagbearer for next April's elections.

"I am fit and healthy. I will invite them to a game of squash," Yar'Adua was quoted as saying to his critics by Nigeria's main newspapers on Friday.

"If they can play 12 straight sets with me, they are welcome."

Yar'Adua, a little-known figure in Nigerian politics, won the PDP ticket last month almost entirely thanks to President Olusegun Obasanjo's support.

Yar'Adua's physical condition has become a national issue, with numerous critics predicting that ill health would make him a weak president, allowing Obasanjo to continue to pull the strings.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Nigeria profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Alliance urges action to close the HIV services gap at International Development Committee session on global HIV epidemic
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• Ill, me? Let's play squash, says Nigerian candidate

• Boosting intelligence among poor is child's play

• Underestimated US ethanol craze may hurt poor-EPI

• UN leader pushes African peacekeepers for Somalia

• Nigerian militants take cash, keep foreign hostages

MORE >>

Last updated:Fri Jan 5 09:37:42 2007