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Senators debate ill Yar'Adua exit Senators urge Yar'Adua handover
(31 minutes later)
Nigerian's Senate has begun to debate a motion demanding sick President Umaru Yar'Adua hand over power to his deputy, to break months of political deadlock. Nigerian's Senate has passed a motion demanding sick President Umaru Yar'Adua hand power to his deputy, in the latest attempt to break months of deadlock.
The debate, sparked after powerful state governors lobbied senators to pass the motion, is being carried live on television. The vote, sparked after powerful state governors lobbied senators to pass the motion, was carried live on national television.
The BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says it would be unprecedented if the Senate decides to back the vice-president. The BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says the move among the political elite to back the vice-president is unprecedented.
Mr Yar'Adua has been in hospital in Saudi Arabia since last November.Mr Yar'Adua has been in hospital in Saudi Arabia since last November.
His absence has sparked legal challenges, cabinet splits and mass protests.His absence has sparked legal challenges, cabinet splits and mass protests.
Impeachment planImpeachment plan
Our correspondent says the senate and state governors are usually loyal to the president, and the office of vice-president carries little weight.Our correspondent says the senate and state governors are usually loyal to the president, and the office of vice-president carries little weight.
But the governors decided last week to back Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to take over power and have been lobbying senators ever since.But the governors decided last week to back Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to take over power and have been lobbying senators ever since.
In theory, a motion could be approved by the senate, house of representatives and cabinet this week and Mr Jonathan could then be sworn in as acting president. Now that the motion has been approved by the Senate, it needs to be passed by the house of representatives and cabinet and Mr Jonathan could then be sworn in as acting president this week.
But some analysts say such a motion would not be legal - and our correspondent says more court challenges could once again tie up the process.But some analysts say such a motion would not be legal - and our correspondent says more court challenges could once again tie up the process.
YAR'ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE 23 November 2009 Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia26 November Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining23 December First court case filed urging him to step down5 January 2010 Two more court cases filed, rights group wants president declared "missing"12 January President gives first interview from Saudi Arabia27 January Cabinet declares president fit29 January Court says no need for formal transfer of power Yar'Adua absence still rankles Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua Viewpoint: Will Nigeria break up?YAR'ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE 23 November 2009 Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia26 November Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining23 December First court case filed urging him to step down5 January 2010 Two more court cases filed, rights group wants president declared "missing"12 January President gives first interview from Saudi Arabia27 January Cabinet declares president fit29 January Court says no need for formal transfer of power Yar'Adua absence still rankles Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua Viewpoint: Will Nigeria break up?
Separately, the Senate is also expected to consider a move to impeach the president.Separately, the Senate is also expected to consider a move to impeach the president.
Two weeks ago, the assembly asked Mr Yar'Adua to provide a letter confirming he was sick, to allow a formal transfer of power.Two weeks ago, the assembly asked Mr Yar'Adua to provide a letter confirming he was sick, to allow a formal transfer of power.
But there has been no letter, and anti-Yar'Adua factions are expect to give a Thursday deadline for the letter, or threaten impeachment.But there has been no letter, and anti-Yar'Adua factions are expect to give a Thursday deadline for the letter, or threaten impeachment.
A presidential aide last week told the BBC such a letter would be written soon.A presidential aide last week told the BBC such a letter would be written soon.
Mr Yar'Adua has not been seen in public since flying to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in November.Mr Yar'Adua has not been seen in public since flying to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in November.
He gave a radio interview to the BBC's Hausa service in early January where he pledged to return to Nigeria as soon as the doctors would allow.He gave a radio interview to the BBC's Hausa service in early January where he pledged to return to Nigeria as soon as the doctors would allow.
But nothing more has been heard from the leader, who is suffering from an inflammation of the lining around the heart and has long suffered from kidney problems.But nothing more has been heard from the leader, who is suffering from an inflammation of the lining around the heart and has long suffered from kidney problems.