Date Published: 01/27/10

Hand Over Now, Senate tells Yar'Adua

...No, he is fit to rule -FEC

Musa Yar'Adua

The Senate after series of closed door meetings have called on president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to as a matter of urgency trasmit a letter to the National Assembly and resign to allow Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assume full responsibility of the Presidency as required by the constitution.

This is even as the Federal Executive Council, FEC comprising mainly appointees of sickly President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, rose from its weekly meeting today announcing that the president is fit and strong enough to continue in office despite spending more than two months on life support at a Saudi Arabian hospital.

Senate on Wednesday demanded ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua take steps to transfer power to his deputy in accordance with the Constitution, its leader said.

"We urge President Yar'Adua to formally notify the national assembly of his medical vacation as demanded by the constitution," David Mark said at the end of a two-day debate on the president's health.

The Constitution states that whenever the head of state informs the parliament of his absence, then the vice president can act on his behalf.

The 58-year-old president has been away in Saudi Arabia since November 23.

However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa who addressed a press conference after the FEC meeting insisted that despite clamour for President Yar'Adua to step down on health ground "the president is fit to continue in office" he told journalist at the state house.

Aondoakaa failed to confirm the basis of the resolution of the FEC as none of them have seen the President since he was hurriedly flown to Saudi Arabia on November 23, 2009.

The FEC decision is seen as part of the plot by a few power drunk cabals in government to hold on to power irrespective of the provision of the constitution which requires a President to hand over to his Vice in the event he is not able to continue on health ground.