Yar’Adua: Senate begins Debate On Amendment Of Sections 145 And 190

San Francisco Feb 17, (THEWILL) – The Senate is set to begin the proposed amendment to Sections 145 and 190 of the 1999 Constitution on Thursday, Senate President David Mark said at the end of Wednesday's session.

Section 145 of the constitution states: "Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President", While Section 190 states: "Whenever the Governor transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Deputy Governor as Acting Governor."

The amendment being sought would allow a vice president or deputy state governor step into office in acting capacity if the incumbent fails to transmit a letter of leave or vacation within seven days of their absence from duty. The current sections of the constitution do not explicitly state that the incumbents must transmit a letter to the legislative arm of government at both state and national level and pro Yar'Adua politicians have latched on this excuse since he was admitted at a Saudi Arabian hospital.

Mark said, "This is a bill we must fast track. We need two-third votes of members for it to go through. It wont be by voice vote, everybody will speak for himself or herself."

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and 43 other senators sponsored the bill.