From the court room and street protests, the battle to fill Nigeria’s leadership vacuum is set to hit the labour scene.

Some unions are planning a one-day symbolic strike to force President Umaru Yar’Adua to obey the Constitution, it was learnt yesterday.

Efforts to enforce President Yar’Adua’s compliance with Section 145 of the constitution by handing over power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan have been on. Some trade/labour unions and lawmakers pushing for the inauguration of Jonathan yesterday concluded plans to hold the nationwide symbolic strike.

The unions met with pro-Jonathan lawmakers, especially members of the National Interest Group in the Senate, at a secret location in Abuja on the format of the strike.

But, it was learnt, the two groups have not picked a date for the action.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The struggle to swear in the VP as acting president has entered a new phase of segmented strike.

"We are going to start with a one-day symbolic strike which will take place any moment from now. We have just concluded discussion with some groups in the National Assembly supporting compliance with the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

"The symbolic nationwide strike is meant to sensitise Nigerians for subsequent strikes, which are aimed at convincing the President to allow his deputy to act for him."

The list of the unions that will participate in the symbolic strike was kept under wraps at press time.

Government Secretary Mahmud Yayale Ahmed yesterday met with the President’s Principal Secretary, David Edevbie, over the resolution of the Senate that President Umaru Yar’Adua should send a medical vacation letter to the National Assembly.

The Senate had last Wednesday asked the President to transmit the letter to enable Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assume office as acting president.

But, last Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja said it was not mandatory for the President to write the National Assembly.

Also last Friday, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Yemi Ogunyomi, sent the Senate’s Resolution to the Presidency.

The SGF and Edevbie met at about 10am yesterday on what to do with the letter from the Senate.

A source in The Presidency said: "The two officers have been holding discussions on what to do with the resolution of the Senate.

"There are four options being considered." These are:

•seeking legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), in the light of the court pronouncements;

•sending the resolution to the President on his sick bed in Saudi Arabia as the case with the 2009 Supplementary Budget;

•allowing the Federal Executive Council to take a decision on the resolution; and

•holding consultations with the leadership of the Senate to find a political solution to the issue in the President’s absence.

"It has been difficult to ask the Vice President, who is a direct beneficiary of the resolution, to address the decision of the Senate.

"So, the SGF and Edevbie are expected to come up with an option. Maybe Edevbie may still go to Saudi Arabia," the source said.

But, members of the kitchen cabinet of the President are believed to have reached a conclusion to bring Yar’Adua back to Nigeria to reduce the tension his absence has caused.

Another source said: "These kitchen cabinet members felt that Nigerians have become sceptical of the court process and only his return would erase any doubt in their mind.

"Instead of sending the Senate Resolution to Saudi Arabia, these influential cabinet members have reached out to the First Lady, Hajiya Turai, to bring back the President.

"The doctors have told the family that the President is still not strong enough for a long haul flight, even in an air ambulance.

"The kitchen cabinet members are in a dilemma on whether to take the risk of returning the President to Nigeria or not."

The National Interest Group (a pro-Jonathan Group in the Senate) will today meet with 200 members of the House of Representatives on how to join forces to ensure handover to the Vice President.

A member of the group, who confided in our correspondent, said: "We are meeting today (Tuesday) with like minds in the House of Representatives to streamline our position and strategy.

"Since we began the struggle in the Senate, this is the first time we are having discussion with our colleagues in the House."