Nigerian Senate rejects third term for Obasanjo
published: Wednesday | May 17, 2006

OBASANJO

ABUJA (REUTERS):

Nigerian senators yesterday threw out a bill to amend the constitution, defeating a campaign by supporters of President Olusegun Obasanjo to let him stand for a third term in elections next year.

The surprise vote was greeted with dancing, shouts of joy and hugs among many senators, who had argued OBASANJOthat the amendment was a threat to democracy in Africa's biggest oil producing country.

"The Senate has said clearly and eloquently that we will discontinue further processes on this amendment bill," Senate President Ken Nnamani said after senators resoundingly voted against giving the bill a second reading.