President Umaru Yar'Adua is brain damaged and can no longer perform the functions of his office, the Nigerian newspaper, NEXT, reported on Sunday.

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The newspaper said that Yar'Adua, who has been undergoing medical treatment in Saudi Arabia for the past seven weeks, was unable to recognize anyone, including his wife, Turai.

It also accused her of concealing his condition from the public and of barring all but a civilian aide, a legislator and two security aides from access to him. It suggested she was the "organizing principal" of a "two-tier power loop" around the president.

Also on Sunday, Vanguard newspaper of Lagos reported that a small "inner sanctum," made up of many of the same individuals named by NEXT, was managing the situation – but did not go so far as to suggest that Yar'Adua was permanently disabled.

Vanguard said that "though Yar'Adua may be recovering well, he is not strong enough to confront the rigours of presidential responsibilities for now."

NEXT said that sources "in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region and in Europe and the United States" have told it that the group has blocked all direct access to Yar'Adua.

"Even the president's closest and most powerful aides have accepted that Mr. Yar'Adua may never return as president," NEXT reported. It quoted one source as saying "It is over for this president… The question is when and how."