After the wild rumours of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's death, the presidency finally opened up on Thursday giving  what still appears like some sketchy insight into his  ailment.But the unprecedented confession from the presidency is setting tongues wagging.

In truth the President was not dead while the rumours of his demise made the rounds but there were unconfirmed reports that he might have been unconscious for  at  least two hours in the course of his  treament.The official position now is that he is responding well to treatment

Here is the full text of a statement read on Thursday by Olusegun Adeniyi on the state of YarAdua's health.The text  was actually written by the president's chief physician Dr Salisu Banye:

``At about 3pm on Friday, November 20th, after he returned from the Abuja Central Mosque where he performed the Juma’at prayers, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua complained of left sided severe chest pain. Preliminary medical examinations suggested ACUTE PERICARDITIS, (an inflammatory condition of the coverings of the heart).

``It was then decided that he should undertake confirmatory checks at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he had his last medical check-up in August.The medical review and tests undertaken at the hospital have confirmed the initial diagnosis that the President is indeed suffering from ACUTE PERICARDITIS.He is now receiving treatment for the ailment and is responding remarkably well. ''

Dr. Salisu Banye, FWACP

Chief Physician to the President

November 26, 2009