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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Senators urge Yar'Adua handover | Senators urge Yar'Adua handover |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 House of Representatives will now vote on the motion, which would install Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan as acting leader on a temporary basis. | |
| The BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says the move among the political elite to back the vice-president is unprecedented. | 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. |
| Cabinet challenge | Cabinet challenge |
| 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. |
| 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? |
| But the governors decided last week to back Mr Jonathan to become acting president and have been lobbying senators ever since. | |
| The Senate carried the motion declaring that Mr Jonathan "shall henceforth discharge the functions of the office of president, commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federation, as acting president". | The Senate carried the motion declaring that Mr Jonathan "shall henceforth discharge the functions of the office of president, commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federation, as acting president". |
| But it is unclear what the next step will be. | But it is unclear what the next step will be. |
| Some analysts have suggested the assembly's motion is not legally binding and could face court challenges. | Some analysts have suggested the assembly's motion is not legally binding and could face court challenges. |
| Others say the move has laid down a challenge to the cabinet - due to meet on Wednesday - and presidency to accept the handover, or risk inflaming public opinion. | Others say the move has laid down a challenge to the cabinet - due to meet on Wednesday - and presidency to accept the handover, or risk inflaming public opinion. |
| Elusive leader | Elusive leader |
| 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, which would pave the way for a formal transfer of power. | Two weeks ago, the assembly asked Mr Yar'Adua to provide a letter confirming he was sick, which would pave the way for 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. |