The Senate and House of Representatives yesterday threw their weights behind President Umaru Musa Yar'adua amidst calls by the opposition for him to resign on the grounds of poor health.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said President Yar'adua needs not be rushed back from Saudi Arabia where he is currently receiving treatment since no constitutional provision stipulates a timeline for his absence.

Briefing newsmen yesterday at his official residence, Senator Ekweremadu said, "The Constitution does not say the period which the President will spend outside the country that could warrant his being eased out of office."

He gave examples of several leaders in other countries that have spent long period of time abroad on account of ill health saying "Nigeria is not the first country to have a President that is ill and I don't example of a president anywhere that was eased out of office because he was ill."

Also speaking on the matter, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Bayero Usman Nafada said in a statement in Abuja yesterday calls on Yar'adua to resign are illogical.

He said the National Assembly members are the elected custodians of the constitution and will not be party to any attempt to subvert or undermine its provisions because they have sworn to defend it.

Chairman of the Integrity Group in the House or Representatives Farouk Lawan (PDP, Kano State) said those calling for the President to resign were out to cause instability in the country, pointing out that they want a virile institution.