The United States Government yesterday joined the growing list of countries congratulating Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the principle of democracy was upheld in the resolution passed by Nigerian lawmakers to fill the power vacuum in the country.

This is coming on the heels of the first legal challenge to the Jonathan Presidency. Yesterday, a former minority leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Adamu filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, challenging the resolution of the National Assembly which paved the way for Jonathan to become acting president pending the return of President Umaru Yar’-Adua.

Yar’Adua has been receiving treatment at King Faisal Specialist and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since November 23, last year. Speaking through its envoy in Nigeria, Ms. Robin Sanders, the US said the best interest of Nigeria had been served by this action of the legislators.

The US added that it was ready to support Nigeria in its quest for a better political future, especially in the conduct of credible elections in 2011.

“We believe that the principle of democracy has been served well in Nigeria through the leadership shown by the National Assembly, the Governors’ Forum, several ministers and the courts in finding a way out of the political impasse.
“The commitment of all elements of Nigerian society to constitutional process and the rule of law is commendable.

“The US Government looks forward to working with the government and people of this great nation,” the statement concluded.
As the US threw its support behind the National Assembly’s resolution, the former lawmaker who dragged the federal legislature to court over the Jonathan presidency wants the court to declare that based on Section 145 of the Constitution, the Senate and House of Representatives lack the powers to pass a resolution mandating Jonathan to act as the president, pending Yar’Adua’s return.

The plaintiff asked the court to make an order to invalidate the said resolution of the National Assembly on the account that such a resolution was unconstitutional and of no effect.
Similarly he prayed the court for an order “directing the Senate and House of Representatives to cause compliance with Section 145 of the Constitution by waiting for a written declaration to be transmitted by the president before passing any resolution to that effect.”

He also asked the court to order the vice president to forthwith “stop parading himself” as the Acting President and Commander –in–Chief of the Armed Forced of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Other respondents listed in the suit are the vice president, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Earlier yesterday, Hon. Adamu and the Chairman of the Jigawa State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sani Gabbas had appealed the judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court that held that Yar’Adua’s official duties had not been left undone following his absence from office.

Although the court did not fault the locus of the plaintiffs to file the action, it did not agree with them that the president is no longer capable of executing the duties of his office having left the country for Saudi Arabia where he is receiving medical attention.
The appellants through their counsel are asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Daniel Abutu and to declare that Yar’Adua is incapable of performing his official functions.

It also prayed the Appeal Court to hold that VP should become acting president until the president returns.
On the grounds of the appeal, they said that the lower court erred in law when it stated that the president’s absence did not amount to permanent incapacitation in line with Section 144 of the 1999 Constitution.

They further held that the lower court erred in law when it failed to consider and decide on all the relieves raised by the plaintiffs and that it equally erred in law when the judge misdirected himself and held that the vice president is already performing the functions of the president in a delegated capacity. Also yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress at the end of its National Administ-rative Council meeting on the state of the nation in Abuja expressed its support for the resolution which conferred presidential powers on Jonathan.

The NLC called on Jonathan to urgently address issues of power generation, electoral reforms and constitutional review.
NLC President, Abdul-waheed Omar also said the persisting fuel crisis rocking the nation requires the immediate attention of the acting president as “it has inflicted untold and unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.”
He alleged that the artificial crisis was perpetually caused by a cabal “that had chosen to hold Nigerians hostage, by manipulating the prices of petroleum products.”

.http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=166387

I see another Aondoankaa, People dont learn from other people Or should I say Aondoankaa has handed over to Hon. Farouk Adamu while he is on leave,

may God help and bless us

Like the famous novelist, Jeffrey Archer will say 'A twist in the tale'. We're yet to see the end of this unfolding drama.

Saw it coming. From an unexpected source though. many more court cases may will follow. Nigerians want to be popular. May end up ridiculin the NASS's basis (doctrine of necessity).

drama

We don't need u! E ku eyin

Another Farouk again trying to cause another disaster after the Delta British Airliner. Almighty God is in nigeria and he won't let it happen in Jesus name.

ok.

Since this is coming from a man name farouk, its another failed attempt, believe me.

our man should watch, this guy very well, not more looting for him

Igwe.:

Since this is coming from a man name farouk, its another failed attempt, believe me.

yea ryt

The U.S are beginning to get annoying, must they interfere
in everything that happens in other countries,
they are the biggest busybodies I have ever seen.

[size=13pt]2 Words : AMERICA'S INTEREST[/size]

Mama gee,
Na true you talk.
But one thing is, the united states so much value the life of her cituzens, not only that and where her citizens transact business. Another thing is our oil. There lots of US companies in nigeria. So you can see why they are interested. and not only in nigeria but all countries you find americans.

One thing is that i respect the govt of the US and the good people of america.

What they did to help the people of haiti rely make me to appreciate and respect them atlot. From the govt, to the companies in the US, to their music industry! Diddy!

God bless the US and Nigeria.

For madam dora, ensure that man publish an apology letter to the said newspaper. End of Story.

I love obasanjo,he is the real maradona

Some people don't realise that American pressure helped in no small measure to resolve the Yar Adua issue.

Thank you America and all condemnations to the BBC!

[b]"The United States Government yesterday joined the growing list of countries congratulating Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the principle of democracy was upheld in the resolution passed by Nigerian lawmakers to fill the power vacuum in the country.

This is coming on the heels of the first legal challenge to the Jonathan Presidency. Yesterday, a former minority leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Adamu filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, challenging the resolution of the National Assembly which paved the way for Jonathan to become acting president pending the return of President Umaru Yar’-Adua.

Yar’Adua has been receiving treatment at King Faisal Specialist and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since November 23, last year. Speaking through its envoy in Nigeria, Ms. Robin Sanders, the US said the best interest of Nigeria had been served by this action of the legislators.

The US added that it was ready to support Nigeria in its quest for a better political future, especially in the conduct of credible elections in 2011.

“We believe that the principle of democracy has been served well in Nigeria through the leadership shown by the National Assembly, the Governors’ Forum, several ministers and the courts in finding a way out of the political impasse.
“The commitment of all elements of Nigerian society to constitutional process and the rule of law is commendable.

“The US Government looks forward to working with the government and people of this great nation,” the statement concluded."[/b]

Chei! The US and their insatiable thirst for oil!!! They know the NASS resolution is a "Genje", yet they supported it. Hmm, we know what this is about: they simply want all oil deals with China cancelled and want Jonathan to give them prime consideration in sharing the oil blocs. That sharing exercise comes up soon and I bet this is about oil!

Good move by the Americans
That so-called ex lawmaker has run out of furniture allowance a long time ago a,d he's had to struggle to earn his money and pay his own bills and he's not been in the limelight,infact he's been in political limbo,so I can pity him for his desperation that has led him to this foolishness

Good move by the Americans
That so-called ex lawmaker has run out of furniture allowance a long time ago a,d he's had to struggle to earn his money and pay his own bills and he's not been in the limelight,infact he's been in political limbo,so I can pity him for his desperation that has led him to this foolishness

That's right.

That is democracy at work,the majority we have their way,why the minority we have their say,
the country cannot remain stagnated,we continue until we reach the promise land,Nigeria is greater,
than the few individuals who want to hold us to ransom,vision 2020 is task that must be achieved.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

I'm afraid Hon. Farouk Adamu  has the law on his side and may very well win this lawsuit bringing us back to square one.  Jonathan and his new AG need to ask for all kinds of postponement in court to buy valuable time.

In the maintime, Jonathan must force the FEC to declare Yar'Adua unfit once and for all, so that he can consolidate his power and be sworn-in as the President of Nigeria. Jonathan is well advised to remove any member of the FEC and members of the so-called kitchen cabinet, who are not ready to declare Yar'Adua unfit -  he needs to fire these people with immediate effect.

Jonathan has the full support of most everyday Northerners who believe in the rule of law, 90% of the callers into BBC Hausa recently expressed the view that they did not care whether the President is from the North, South, East, or West as long as he does a good job. The average Northerner has not benefited from these so-called heads of states from the North. The thieving governors and thieving elite come from every part of the country.  Its high time we, the people, took back our country from these thieves.

Jonathan should be sworn-in under section 144 of the constitution. The best chance of that happening is for Jonathan to have some balls and force the FEC to declare Yar'Adua unfit. The cowards in the parliament will not impeach Yar'Adua.

We have a very real opportunity as a country to move forward in a positive manner. May God help Goodluck Jonathan; may God heal Yar'Adua and may God bless One Nigeria. Amu kuma Amu.

The U.S are beginning to get annoying, must they interfere
in everything that happens in other countries,
they are the biggest busybodies I have ever seen.

herer

No, they are not busybodies.

they are glorified colonialists, oppressors, bandits seeking to protect their selfish interest not minding if the masses in Nigeria suffers as a result of their actions.

Observe carefully, u will notice that those devils called americans hardly intervene in areas where they have no economic interests.

I can see that a lot of terorists---Anti-America are here. If possible, let the US colonize this Malaria Nigeria. Nigeria is not yet a nation. I admire the American move.

USA thanks for the congratulation message. but can we be removed from the terror list??

obstead200:

herer

No, they are not busybodies.

they are glorified colonialists, oppressors, bandits seeking to protect their selfish interest not minding if the masses in Nigeria suffers as a result of their actions.

Observe carefully, u will notice that those devils called americans hardly intervene in areas where they have no economic interests.

Ok pls give us some instances. How has the US oppressed you? What have they stolen from you? I think they've done more good to you than your own people have.

mama-gee:

The U.S are beginning to get annoying, must they interfere
in everything that happens in other countries,
they are the biggest busybodies I have ever seen.

How do you guys do this? Nigerians always want to bring out evil from something good. My friend, if you read about American History and world history, you will understand how the US came about its current attitude. Meanwhile, the busy bodiness of the US helped save your ass from Abacha few years ago and is still doing that. Your president declined to do his duty, not concerned that he may be creating a situation that puts you at risk and you never said a word about that, now someone commends our people for saving lives and you have this to say. I no just understand.

Many thanks to the Americans.

If U.S is just sending comendation or congratulation with no further motives, its fine n well

let the man rule

AMERICA thank you ooo, Infact you are the SENIOR PREFECT of the whole world.

Another Farouk on the loose. We bind every Farouk in our country and cast all their evil intentions and attempts to the abiss in Jesus name.

Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!