20100122
press tv

Nigeria's Federal High Court on Friday gave the cabinet 14 days to determine whether the country's ailing president is capable of remaining in power.

Judge Dan Abutu ruled that the cabinet must reconvene to determine the fate of the presidential office. President Umaru Yar'Adua left Nigeria nearly two months ago to seek medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

He has long been troubled by a kidney ailment, and doctors have said the 58-year-old is now suffering from acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, the Associated Press reported.

While Nigerian law allows for a smooth transition of power from Yar'Adua to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, the president left without formally appointing an acting leader as the constitution requires.

The constitution puts Jonathan next in line, but it's unclear if the Muslim-dominated north would allow the Muslim Yar'Adua to be replaced with Jonathan who is a Christian.

The Nigerian presidency alternates between Christian and Muslim leaders, and Yar'Adua still has two years left in his term.