Nigeria's senate demanded President Umaru Yar'Adua to transfer power to his deputy in accordance with the country's constitution, its leader said.

"We urge the 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. 

However, Nigeria's cabinet unanimously resolved that President Umaru Yar'Adua was not incapable of discharging the functions of his office despite a two-month absence for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

"The medical treatment outside the country does not constitute incapacity to warrant or commence the process of the removal of the president from office," the Federal Executive Council said in a statement read by Justice Minister and Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa.

source: AFP/REUTERS

photo: EPA