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For months now, Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, has been drifting in a constitutional limbo caused by President Yar'Adua's long absence from the country.
The president went to Saudi Arabia in November, to seek medical treatment for a heart condition.
He did not hand over power formally to the vice president, Goodluck Jonathan, which has caused confusion over who is in charge and whether the vice president has the authority to take decisions.
Now, both the senate, and the national assembly have moved to try to end the confusion ruling that Goodluck Jonathan should take over presidential duties for the time being.
Chris Ewokor in Abuja followed the debate, and reports now on the day's dramatic events
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