LAGOS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa has assured Nigerians that President Umaru Yar'Adua is in a stable health condition, the Punch newspaper reported on Thursday.

The minister said this in a statement issued in Abuja late on Wednesday against the background of rumors that the president was feared dead on Wednesday morning after being admitted to a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Local media reported on Tuesday that the president was admitted to an unnamed hospital for medical checks.

On Wednesday, there were rumors that Yar'Adua was feared dead. The minister insisted that Yar'Adua is in good health.

"We have received with great shock and dismay the rumors making the rounds about the state of health of the president and wish to state that the president has gone to Saudi Arabia for routine medical check," the statement said.

Aondoakaa said it is normal for the president to embark on routine medical trips and vacations outside the country.

"It is unfortunate that cynics always read meanings to the movement of the president, especially, whenever he travels outside the country," he added.

Aondoakaa said he was in constant touch with the president in Jeddah, urging Nigerians to remain focused and wish the president well.

According to the minister, the president is committed to the well being of Nigerians, adding that he will return to Nigeria as soon as he completes his medical checks and short vacation.

Garba Aminchi, the country's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told a local television station, Africa Independent Television (AIT), that Yar'Adua is okay.

The ambassador assured that Yar'Adua is undergoing necessary medical checks and would perform the Hajj and other religious obligations in Saudi Arabia before returning to the country at an undisclosed date.