afrol News, 9 February - The Nigerian Senators have voted today to empower the vice president Goodluck Jonathan to take over as the head of the country. Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar’Adua has been hospitalised in Saudi Arabia since November after complaining of the chest pains.

If the House passes the measure, Mr Jonathan could be immediately sworn in as president of Africa’s most populous state.

The motion would also allow President Yar'Adua to reassume the presidency if he returns to the country healthy enough to lead the nation of 150 million people.

However, critics have expressed concerns that the president may be too seriously ill to serve again, throwing into question who will lead the ruling party in the 2011 presidential election.

President Yar'Adua, who has long suffered from kidney ailments, traveled out of the country several times for what his advisers said were medical checkups before he left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on 23 November. He was admitted to a hospital the next day.

Since he left Nigeria, a major kidnapping and a pipeline attacks have occurred in the oil-rich Niger Delta despite an amnesty programme for militants.

Religious violence between Christians and Muslims in central Nigeria also left more than 300 dead and thousands displaced.

In the past some of the governors and legislators were always skeptical to discuss issues concerning the President with caution due to the presence of his in-laws among them, local reports have said.

The President has however on the other hand assured the people that his health was improving and that he would soon return to the country.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories