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Nigeria party vets poll hopefuls Nigeria party vets poll hopefuls
(about 7 hours later)
About 5,000 delegates from Nigeria's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are gathering in Abuja to elect a presidential candidate. Thousands of delegates from Nigeria's governing People's Democratic Party have gathered to choose its candidate in next April's presidential election.
Succeeding President Olusegun Obasanjo, the winner is expected to have a strong chance of winning the April 2007 polls. Katsina state Governor Umaru Yar'Adua - who is believed to be backed by outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo - is favourite to win the primary.
The PDP has governed Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999, but has been weakened by internal feuding. Mr Obasanjo is standing down after two terms. The PDP candidate is thought to have a strong chance of succeeding him.
Several state governors and a handful of retired generals are among the presidential hopefuls. The PDP has governed Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999.
Former military ruler Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida earlier this week withdrew from the PDP primaries to avoid competing against two of his close friends. Several state governors and a retired generals were originally among the hopefuls standing in the primary, being held in Abuja.
President Obasanjo, who steps down after two terms in office, has been rumoured to back Katsina State Governor Umar Yar'Adua, although this has been denied. But some prominent candidates, including former military ruler Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, have since withdrawn from the race.
Mohammed Aliyu Gusau, who has worked behind the scenes for several former leaders, is also tipped to have a strong chance.
SplitsSplits
Since it was hastily formed some eight years ago, the party has had to cope with internal feuds that led to the exit of almost all its founding members. Since it was hastily formed some eight years ago, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has had to cope with internal feuds that led to the exit of almost all its founding members.
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who was a key figure in the formation of the party was recently suspended following disagreements with Mr Obasanjo and allegations of corruption which he denies.Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who was a key figure in the formation of the party was recently suspended following disagreements with Mr Obasanjo and allegations of corruption which he denies.
Out of the 29 candidates that applied for the PDP's presidential nomination, 19 have been cleared to take part in Saturday's primaries.
"We urge all delegates to work towards the success of the national convention of our great party," the party's national vice chairman, Olabode George, told reporters in Abuja."We urge all delegates to work towards the success of the national convention of our great party," the party's national vice chairman, Olabode George, told reporters in Abuja.
"We have to make the right choice so that our party will remain the party to beat at the election," he said."We have to make the right choice so that our party will remain the party to beat at the election," he said.
Earlier this week, the two main opposition parties in Nigeria, the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC), agreed to form an alliance.Earlier this week, the two main opposition parties in Nigeria, the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC), agreed to form an alliance.
Presidential candidates for some 50 registered political parties are being announced in the next week.Presidential candidates for some 50 registered political parties are being announced in the next week.