Senators Gear For A Bitter Fight As Senate Debates Yar’Adua

PDP MOUNTS PRESSURE AS CAMPS EMERGE IN SENATE.

Abuja Jan 25, (THEWILL) – Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are set for a bitter fight over the debate on President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health and his refusal to transfer power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

THEWILL checks revealed that the report of the meeting between senators who are lawyers and the Attorney General of the Federation has forced a sharp divide amongst senators. The report according to a Senate source has recommended that the ruling of Justice Daniel Abutu of a Federal High Court was enough for Vice President Jonathan to exercise executive powers. The source said there was a big split amongst the lawyer-senators during deliberations on the issue.

Justice Abutu had ruled in a suit filed by an Abuja based lawyer that the Vice President could exercise executive powers delegated by the President but could not become acting President until the President writes the National Assembly informing the lawmakers of his inability to perform his duties.

Most senators are already aware of the recommendations of the meeting and have vowed to argue for and against the recommendations of the lawyer-senators. The tension has led senators and Senate leaders into different camps: pro-Yar’Adua; pro-Jonathan/Pro-Constitution.  

Those in the pro-Yar’Adua group according to our sources are senators; Umaru Dahiru; George Akume; Teslim Folarin; Garba Yakubu Lado; Mr.Nicholas Ugbane; Ahmed Makarfi; Joseph Akaagreger; Ahmed Sani Yerima; Odion Ugbesia; Tanko Ayuba; Hassan Gasau; Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan; Hassan Gasau, Yisa Braimoh; Gbemisola Saraki; Simeon Ajibola; Suleiman Adokwe, Patrick Osakwe and many more.

The Pro-Jonathan group is led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and has senators, Isiaka Adeleke; Olorunninbe Mamora; Ehigie Uzamere; Grace bent; Mohammed Mohammed; Annie Okonkwo; Uche Chukwumerije; Andrew Babalola; Iyiola Omisore; John Shagaya; Chris Ola; James Manager; Heineken Lokpobiri; Ganiyu Solomon; Bassey Ewa-Henshaw; Victor Ndoma-Egba; Chris Anyanwu; Joy Emordi; Abubakar Sodangi; Jubril Aminu; Patricia Akwashiki; Effiong Bob; Bukar Ibrahim; Bode Olajumoko; Eyinnaya Abaribe; Munir Muse; Abubakar Gada; Satty Davies Egba; Adamu Mohammed Sidi Ali;  Anthony Agbo; Ikechukwu Obiora; Gyang Dantong; Otaru Ohize; Omar Hambagda; Sola Akindele and others.

There are 109 senators in the Senate and a resolution may be passed on Tuesday after what analysts expect to be a rowdy session.

The pro Yar’Adua senators want the status quo maintained while the other group expects a strict adherence to the Constitution where the Vice President will become acting President as against being delegated to by the ailing President.

Our source said the sharp divide amongst PDP senators has forced the leadership of the party, which is also sharply divided on the issue to wield the big stick by blackmailing senators on both sides with automatic second-term tickets. "The party is in a mess right now," a senator said.

Even as the kitchen cabinet leaked its desperate plans to fly the President back to Aso Rock as soon as possible to puncture the debate, most senators especially Ike Ekweremadu have vowed to continue their push for the Constitution to be obeyed since the President is still not able to perform his duties whether he remains in Saudi Arabia or ferried back to the Villa.