Ailing Nigeria leader calls VP

ABUJA

Ailing Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, who has been in hospital overseas for the past six weeks, has spoken to the vice president and heads of parliament, a government minister and state governor said.

It was not clear what was discussed between Yar'Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, but supporters said the conversations late on Tuesday showed the 58-year-old leader's health was improving.

The government is facing growing pressure from senior lawyers, political analysts and opposition party officials to provide concrete evidence that Yar'Adua is fit enough to govern Africa's most populous country.

The president has been absent from Nigeria for more than a month receiving treatment for a heart condition in Saudi Arabia, but there have been few updates on his health.

Jonathan has been presiding over cabinet meetings but executive powers have not officially been transferred to him, leading to questions over the legality of decisions made by the government in Yar'Adua's absence.

"The vice president told us in the cabinet meeting that he spoke with the president at about 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) yesterday. That is all I can tell you," said Information Minister Dora Akunyili.

Bukola Saraki, governor of Kwara state, told reporters Yar'Adua also spoke to Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Oladimeji Bankole late on Tuesday.

"Prior to now a lot of anti-democratic individuals have been feeding you that the president cannot talk, is in a coma, and cannot converse, but the same president has now spoken with some people," Saraki said. "We are happy to say that he is improving very well."

But critics say government assurances were no longer enough and that further disclosure about Yar'Adua's health was needed.

Opposition Action Congress party on Monday demanded visual proof of Yar'Adua's condition, suggesting a dated video recording of the Nigerian leader in his hospital room in Saudi.

The Nigerian Bar Association, a prominent human rights lawyer and two former lawmakers have all filed legal action against the government, accusing Yar'Adua of breaching the constitution by staying in power.

A federal court in Nigeria's capital Abuja has scheduled a January 14 hearing for the three separate cases.