Pretoria - The South African government is praying for the speedy recovery of ailing Nigerian President Musa Yar'Adua.
President Yar'Adua is reportedly being treated in Saudi Arabia for a heart problem. This is believed to have left a leadership vacuum in the country.
"We extend our prayers for his speedy recovery and reaffirm our confidence in Nigeria's democracy and its leadership," said the Department of International Relations and Co-operation.
The department further expressed its solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria over the current health of Yar'Adua.
"Throughout its 49 years of existence, Nigeria has always provided quality leadership to the continent, and in this regard the South African government calls on the Nigerian leaders to provide leadership to their people during this sombre moment.
"In the same vein, the government would like to reaffirm the strong bilateral and cordial relations that exist between our two countries and its unalloyed support to the Government and the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," said the department.