The statement partly reads:

"On Monday, March 5 Governor Yar’Adua, as part of his routine medical check-up, reported to his doctors at a private clinic, where regular tests were conducted. Some of the results indicated that that the candidate was under stress and would require to rest. He was accordingly recalled yesterday (Tuesday) morning by the clinic and advised to rest.

Following this medical report, his personal physicians who had complained that the grueling presidential campaign had obstructed the candidate’s medical schedule, saw an opportunity to let the candidate rest. They seized it, insisting that Yar’Adua should not only suspend the campaign for a few days, but must travel abroad for long overdue specialist medical check-up.

Information Minister, Mr Frank Nweke Jr also pooh-poohed rumours of Yar’Adua’s death. "I am happy to tell you that the rumours are unfounded and he will soon be back," Nweke told reporters.

Also on Wednesday, deputy governor of Katsina State Alhaji Abudullahi Garba Aminchi, assured the people of the state that Yar’Adua was alive responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, get well messages have been pouring in torrents for the PDP presidential candidate, even from opposition parties.

After consultation with President Olusegun Obasanjo and the PDP leadership, Governor Yar’Adua accepted the advice of his doctors to travel abroad for rest and an overdue medical check-up. He left for Germany last night. It is, therefore, categorically untrue that he collapsed and had to be rushed to a private hospital for medical attention."

"We appreciate the concerns shown by Nigerians and assure them that our presidential candidate will be back shortly to continue with his campaign," the organization said in a statement issued by Yar’Adua’s spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu.

The Action Congress, (AC), presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as members of other political parties have wished Yar’Adua a speedy recovery.

The Action Congress, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it learnt with shock and dismay that Yar’Adua collapsed in Abuja and was subsequently evacuated to Germany in an air ambulance.

"We wish him a speedy recovery so that he can rejoin us on the campaign train and in the project of nation building," the statement said.

Also , in a three paragraph letter addressed to Governor Yar’Adua and personally signed by General Buhari, the ANPP standard bearer said it was with a sense of trepidation and empathy that he learnt of his sickness.

Buhari stated that though all efforts to reach Yar’Adua failed, he took solace in the fact that the PDP candidate, was receiving adequate medical attention.
"I wish you God’s guidance, good health and protection. Get well soon," Buhari told his competitor.

Also reacting, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Safana described as malicious and wicked, the peddlers of the rumour that Governor Yar’Adua was dead.
"It is a wicked rumour, a malicious one and the figment of the imagination of those who wanted Governor Yar’Adua dead," he said.

Safana said that the PDP presidential candidate was only in Germany for routine medical check up, adding that there was nothing wrong or strange in the trip to Germany .
Presidential candidate of the Better Nigeria Peoples Party (BNPP), Dr. Godswill Nnaji said that nobody should celebrate the death of a fellow human being.

While wishing Governor Yar’Adua quick recovery, he said that the country needs the service of the PDP presidential candidate, who he noted had demonstrated integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of the resources of his state before aspiring to rule the nation.

He described him as a great asset to the country, whose contribution was needed by the nation in her developmental efforts.

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