Aso-Rock became jittery yesterday, with the resolve of the Senate to take a definite decision on the prolonged absence of President Umaru Yar'Adua from duty tomorrow.

The Upper House in a preliminary verdict however said its decision will neither be for President Yar'Adua or for Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan. It said it would be guided by the provisions of the constitution.
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At the end of yesterday's closed session, Senate tied its next action to the presentation of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, who is expected to the brief the lawmakers tomorrow on the state of the health of the president.

Daily Champion gathered that Senate's resolution for the second time to wait for the outcome of the SGF briefing was another safe landing for the leadership and pro- Yar'Adua's senators who were apparently overwhelmed by the mood of many senators yesterday.

Senate President, David Mark was reportedly troubled by the alleged plot to turn the heat on him in the event he attempts to stand in the way of anti-Yar'Adua senators.

A reliable source at the closed door session told Daily Champion that it took spirited efforts by Mark and other principal officers of the Senate to convince the anti Yar'Adua lawmakers to sheath their sword.

The source said Senators pushing to invoke section 144 of the 1999 Constitution to make Jonathan acting President were only assuaged by the resolution to suspend action till tomorrow after the SGF must have briefed them on the true health condition of the President who has been outside Nigeria for over 57 days.

Earlier, Minority Leader, Maina Ma'ji Lawal had raised a point of order, drawing the attention of his colleagues to a newspaper publication in which he and some of other senators were listed as anti-Yar'Adua elements in the senate.

He told the Senate quoting orders15, 16, and 18(matter of privilege) that he does not belong to anti-Yar'Adua camp as reported nor has he attended any meeting to discuss the President's health.

"We do not know of any group in the Senate, we are one united and there is no sectional interest other national interest in the Senate," he said

Senator Abubakar Sodengi who was also mentioned in the publication said: "I don't belong to any group and no body has called me for any meeting."

But Mark in his ruling however urged the Senate to ignore such publication, saying "Senate is a united family and we will remain united for the country."

Mark said Senate was not for Yar'Adua or Jonathan in this matter but will follow the path on constitutionality at all times.

He emphasised that the Senate would not be stampeded to do "what the constitution does not require us to do."

But Senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze at a news briefing after the session yesterday, said the decision of the Senate on the matter would be determined by the outcome of its meeting tomorrow with the SGF.

He said: "We hope that the SGF would answer all the questions that are agitating the minds of the senators when he comes on Thursday.

"SGF is the repository of these developments and should have first hand information on the health condition of the President and whatever Senate will do, will be after the briefing on Thursday."

Asked whether the impeachment will form part of the Senate's action, Eze said the Senate had respect for the constitution.

Eze had earlier told Daily Champion that the Senate lacked the constitutional powers to make Jonathan acting president

He said the Senate was more united adding that no meeting of senators took place in Kaduna at the weekend to discuss the health of the President. This was verified at the executive session.