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Nigeria VP takes over for ailing president after parliamentary vote

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan will assume the role of president after the parliament voted on Tuesday for him to take over for ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua. Jonathan reluctantly accepted the presidency under the circumstances and asked for the country to pray for Yar'Adua as he continues to battle a heart condition. The parliament's motion included a clause that would return power to Yar'Adua upon his recovery. Yar'Adua has been receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia since late November. Last month, a Nigerian court ruled that Yar'Adua is not required to formally transfer his powers to Jonathan or any other interim leader. Also in January, the court ordered Nigeria's cabinet to pass a resolution within 14 days on whether Yar'Adua is capable of running the country. A judge for Nigeria's Federal High Court ordered Jonathan to assume executive powers in Yar'Adua's absence. In 2008, the Nigerian Supreme Court upheld the results of disputed 2007 election that brought Yar'Adua to power, despite opposition groups' allegations of fraud.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 10, 2010 (boomark / email).