Nigeria declares 7 days of mourning, Ghana declares 3

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President of Nigeria in the early hours of this morning following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. President Yar’Adua had been incapacitated for several months due to progressive debilitation from acute pericarditis and was declared brain-dead in January.

Goodluck Jonathan, who became acting President in February resisted pressure to declare the President incapacitated leaving the late President and his family in place at the presidential villa where he was provided with end-of-life care until he passed away last night.

Schools and businesses were closed in the nation’s capital today as Nigeria’s newly sworn-in President declared Thursday a public holiday, as well as seven days of national mourning. President Jonathan said of Yar’Adua’s passing: ‘Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown’. Late President Yar’Adua will be buried this evening in his native Katsina state. In neighbouring Ghana, President John Evans Atta Mills has declared three days of mourning for the late President of Nigeria, directing that flags fly at half past in Ghana for the duration.

Jonathan a Christian from the South of Nigeria is expected to name a Vice President from the northern region within days. Among those tipped for the post are former EFCC Boss Nuhu Ribadu and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nasir E-Rufai. Both men were in exile during President Yar’Adua’s tenure.