**Nigerian’s Senate has begun to debate a motion demanding sick President Umaru Yar’Adua hand over power to his deputy, to break months of political deadlock.**The debate, sparked after powerful state governors lobbied senators to pass the motion, is being carried live on television.
The BBC’s Ahmed Idris in Abuja says it would be unprecedented if the Senate decides to back the vice-president.
Mr Yar’Adua has been in hospital in Saudi Arabia since last November.
His absence has sparked legal challenges, cabinet splits and mass protests.
Impeachment plan
Our correspondent says the senate and state governors are usually loyal to the president, and the office of vice-president carries little weight.
But the governors decided last week to back Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to take over power and have been lobbying senators ever since.
In theory, a motion could be approved by the senate, house of representatives and cabinet this week and Mr Jonathan could then be sworn in as acting president.
But some analysts say such a motion would not be legal - and our correspondent says more court challenges could once again tie up the process.
YAR’ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE
- 23 November 2009 Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia
- **26 November ** Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining
- **23 December ** First court case filed urging him to step down
- 5 January 2010 Two more court cases filed, rights group wants president declared “missing”
- **12 January **President gives first interview from Saudi Arabia
- 27 January Cabinet declares president fit
- 29 January Court says no need for formal transfer of power
Yar’Adua absence still rankles
Profile: President Umaru Yar’Adua
Viewpoint: Will Nigeria break up
Separately, the Senate is also expected to consider a move to impeach the president.
Two weeks ago, the assembly asked Mr Yar’Adua to provide a letter confirming he was sick, to allow a formal transfer of power.
But there has been no letter, and anti-Yar’Adua factions are expect to give a Thursday deadline for the letter, or threaten impeachment.
A presidential aide last week told the BBC such a letter would be written soon.
Mr Yar’Adua has not been seen in public since flying to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in November.
He gave a radio interview to the BBC’s Hausa service in early January where he pledged to return to Nigeria as soon as the doctors would allow.
But nothing more has been heard from the leader, who is suffering from an inflammation of the lining around the heart and has long suffered from kidney problems.