The Senate on Wednesday demanded ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua take steps to transfer power to his deputy in accordance with the Constitution, its leader said.

"We urge President Yar'Adua to formally notify the national assembly of his medical vacation as demanded by the constitution," David Mark said at the end of a two-day debate on the president's health.

The Constitution states that whenever the head of state informs the parliament of his absence, then the vice president can act on his behalf.

The 58-year-old president has been away in Saudi Arabia since November 23.

UPDATE

Reports from Abuja Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory indicate that the Federal Executive Council ,FEC has said  President Umaru YarAdua is fit to rule.FEC may be acting to fulfil a court order which ordered the executive council of the federation to brief it within two weeks which about the health status of  the president.

But independent media reports have consistently said YarAdua's health has not improved.This is what has fuelled the call for him to cede power to Goodluck Jonathan the vice president so that he can become acting president.

It is the FEC that has the constitutional power to move towards declaring a president incapable of holding office or otherwise.Now that the FEC has said the president  is fit, it means that state of inertia and suspended animation will persist as Nigerians wait  for  the YarAdua.