Jan 27, 9:46 AM EST


Nigeria cabinet: Absent leader capable of ruling




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Nigeria cabinet: Absent leader capable of ruling



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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigeria's attorney general says the cabinet has ruled that the president's two-month hospitalization does not warrant his removal.

The cabinet's decision Wednesday comes days after the high court ordered the body to rule on President Umaru Yar'Adua's medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

The attorney general said the cabinet decided that Yar'Adua's long absence over a kidney and heart ailment does not leave him incapacitated.

Nigeria's senate also decreed Wednesday that Yar'Adua should formally declare a "medical vacation." No officials would discuss what might happen next.

A Nigerian court is also considering three lawsuits that aim to force the federal government to allow the vice president to take over.

© 2010 The Associated

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