Goodluck Jonathan temporarily took over the reins from ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who is undergoing medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
The president's absence from office has seen tensions between the country's Muslim north and Christian south break out into rioting. It has also resulted in the withdrawal of the country from a landmark peace deal—due to lack of government attention.
The temporary transfer of power was voted in by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
