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Nigeria leader 'is missing' call Nigeria leader 'is missing' call
(10 minutes later)
A human rights group is urging Nigerian legislators to declare President Umaru Yar'Adua "missing" after six weeks in hospital in Saudi Arabia.A human rights group is urging Nigerian legislators to declare President Umaru Yar'Adua "missing" after six weeks in hospital in Saudi Arabia.
The Human Rights Writers Association also wants the National Assembly to send out a search party for him.The Human Rights Writers Association also wants the National Assembly to send out a search party for him.
Judges are due to hear two separate court cases over Mr Yar'Adua's protracted absence. Judges are also due to hear two separate court cases over Mr Yar'Adua's protracted absence.
He has failed to hand over power to his deputy, leaving many Nigerians feeling there is a power vacuum in the country. He has failed to hand over power to his deputy and so many Nigerians feel there is a power vacuum in the country.
Rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana wants judges to annul all decisions taken by the cabinet during the president's absence.Rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana wants judges to annul all decisions taken by the cabinet during the president's absence.
In the other case, senior opposition activist Farouk Adamu Aliyu is asking the Federal High Court to sack the president due to his failing health and for failing to abide by the provisions of the constitution.In the other case, senior opposition activist Farouk Adamu Aliyu is asking the Federal High Court to sack the president due to his failing health and for failing to abide by the provisions of the constitution.
The National Assembly resumes on Tuesday after its Christmas break and will be faced with the request from the Human Rights Writers Association (Huriwa).The National Assembly resumes on Tuesday after its Christmas break and will be faced with the request from the Human Rights Writers Association (Huriwa).
The group wants Nigerians to recall their legislators if they fail to take action.The group wants Nigerians to recall their legislators if they fail to take action.
Doctors say the president is suffering from acute pericarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart.Doctors say the president is suffering from acute pericarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart.
He also has a long-standing kidney complaint.He also has a long-standing kidney complaint.
ComplicatedComplicated
Last week, a new chief justice was sworn in despite Mr Yar'Adua's absence.Last week, a new chief justice was sworn in despite Mr Yar'Adua's absence.
Some lawyers have challenged this, as the constitution states that chief justices should take the oath of office to the president. Some lawyers have challenged this, as the constitution states that chief justice should take the oath of office to the president.
Instead, the ceremony was presided over by the outgoing chief justice. He denies claims that the ceremony was illegal. Instead, the ceremony was presided over by the outgoing chief justice, who denied the claims the ceremony was illegal.
Correspondents say the situation is complicated because of the Nigerian system of alternating power between north and south.Correspondents say the situation is complicated because of the Nigerian system of alternating power between north and south.
Mr Yar'Adua is a northerner, while Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan is from the south, so if he were to assume presidential duties, this would shorten the north's "turn".Mr Yar'Adua is a northerner, while Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan is from the south, so if he were to assume presidential duties, this would shorten the north's "turn".