Senate confronts Nigerian president

Elections are planned for next year

By Dan Isaacs BBC Lagos Correspondent

A major confrontation is expected in the Nigerian Senate between supporters and opponents of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A motion is being debated which challenges the government's handling of the country's finances, questioning the whereabouts of millions of dollars of public funds, including money recovered from associates of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

Opponents of the president say that, if passed, this motion could mark the first stage in possible impeachment proceedings against him.

Although such an outcome is unlikely, the motion reveals a deep frustration within the Nigerian parliament over the president's autocratic style of government.

Called to account

This is, in effect, a straight political fight between the Senate and the presidency over who controls Nigeria's finances: should the president be able to disregard parliament's demands for greater accountability, or - as the president sees it - should he be able to curb the irresponsible spending excesses of parliament?

Obasanjo is autocratic say opponents

Every year since Mr Obasanjo came to power three years ago, a budget has been passed by parliament and every year the government, under the directive of the presidency, fails to release a substantial portion of the approved funds.

Now, in retaliation, the Senate is calling on the government to account for the whereabouts of large, one-off sums that have accrued to the Treasury in recent years.

They include funds recovered from the family of the late military ruler, Sani Abacha; the proceeds of recent privatisations; and money arising from the liberalization of telecoms sector.

The censure motion against the president has been brought before the Upper House by Senator Idris Abubakar, who says that the outcome of this debate will determine whether impeachment proceedings should be initiated against the president.

These are emotive words designed to shock from senators increasingly frustrated with what they describe as Mr Obasanjo's undemocratic style of government.

But no-one here seriously believes in the possibility of an impeachment - particularly with national elections only a few months away.