N'ASSEMBLY OKAYS JONATHAN AS ACTING PRESIDENT
(http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/pictures/picture01/090210)In exactly 54 minutes on Tuesday, at 12:07pm, the Senate of Nigeria took the historic step of ending an 80-day vacuum in the Presidency, with a resolution that Vice President Goodluck Jonathan should take over as Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces " until such a time that Yar'Adua returns from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia and transmits a letter indicating that he is medically fit to resume his duties." About one hour later, the House of Representatives took a similar resolution, curiously read by its Leader, Tunde Akogun, "that for peace, order, and good government of the federation, and consistent with the judgment of the courts, the Vice President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCON shall assume all the executive powers of the President pending the return of the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua," after the Senate passed its resolution and its President, David Mark, read a speech in which he said its action was based on the 'Doctrine of Necessity'. The doctrine of necessity requires that we do what is necessary when faced with a situation that was not contemplated by the Constitution. And that is precisely what we have done today. In doing so, we have as well maintained the sanctity of our Constitution as the ultimate law of the land."