Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – The Nigerian Senate voted today, February 9, in favor of a motion to declare Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan president ad interim. The motion, voted by a majority of Senators, contends that the "Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan may fulfill the official duties of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, as the Acting President."
The motion of the Senate is a further pressure on President Umaru Yar'Adua, who was hospitalized in November in Saudi Arabia, to nominate his Vice-President, Head of State ad interim. So far, Yar'Adua has been taking his time, while in Nigeria there is growing uncertainty and tension over the lack of definite information about his state of health and, above all, the ability of the President to perform his duties at such a sensitive time in the life of country. In addition to clashes in Jos (see Fides 20/1/2010), there are also the threats of MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) to resume hostilities in the Niger Delta and concerns about the deteriorating international image of Nigeria after the failed bomb attack by a young Nigerian on a Amsterdam - Detroit flight on Christmas Day 2009.
The motion of the Senate must be approved by the lower house to become operational. The House vote is scheduled for February 11. If the motion, as probable, is approved by the House, Jonathan would immediately assume presidential powers.
The Vice-President is committed to finding a permanent solution to the tensions in the Plateau State, whose capital Jos became steeped in violence in late January. But, as Fides was reminded by Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama of Jos: “We must reduce the rising tension in the country, giving full presidential powers to Vice-President Jonathan, who otherwise cannot implement all the measures necessary to ensure peace, as the Vice-President has limited powers." (see Fides 4/2/2010). (LM) (Agenzia Fides 9/2/2010)
