Yar'Adua: Senate passes constitution amendment
The senate has finally resolved the constitution crisis that arose following a long stay of
President Yar'Adua for medical trip abroad by amending the controversial section s 145
and 190 of the 1999 constitution.
The new amendments, it is now mandatory for Vice President or Deputy Governor in
case of state to assume the mantle of leadership of the country in Acting capacity within
14 days if the President or Governor fails to transmit a letter to the National Assembly or
State House of Assembly to notify it of his vacation or his inability to perform duties.
The senate however rejected a proposal by senator Bassy Ewa-Henshaw for Acting
President to automatically becomes a substantive President after acting for 90 days and
if the President is still incapacitated to rule.
The final passage of the bill that led to the amendment of the sections did not go easy as
senators voted by name count rather than the usual voice vote to ensure that the
constitution provision of two-third majority of lawmakers is achieved.
At the end of the voting, 89 senators endorsed the amendment, 17 senators were absent
while two senators , Garba Lado from Katsina state and senator Yayale Kaka from Borno
state voted against the bill.
The senate is expected to harmonize its position with the House of Representatives
before forwarding it to State House of Assemblies to get two-third of the assemblies
before the amendment could stand