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VP chosen by Nigerian opposition | VP chosen by Nigerian opposition |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has been chosen by an opposition party, the Action Congress, as its candidate for next April's presidential election. | |
He was the only nominee put forward at the party's national meeting in Lagos. | |
He will face the ruling party's Umaru Yar'Adua if he is chosen as a joint candidate with another opposition party the All-Nigeria Peoples' Party. | He will face the ruling party's Umaru Yar'Adua if he is chosen as a joint candidate with another opposition party the All-Nigeria Peoples' Party. |
Outgoing leader Olusegun Obasanjo fell out with Mr Abubakar over a failed bid to seek an unconstitutional third term. | Outgoing leader Olusegun Obasanjo fell out with Mr Abubakar over a failed bid to seek an unconstitutional third term. |
In September, Nigeria's anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Mr Abubakar of fraudulently using public funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). | In September, Nigeria's anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Mr Abubakar of fraudulently using public funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). |
Mr Abubakar denies that he diverted $125m into personal business interests and says the corruption allegations are politically motivated. | Mr Abubakar denies that he diverted $125m into personal business interests and says the corruption allegations are politically motivated. |
Choice | Choice |
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari is the ANPP candidate and a committee is now expected to choose between the two northerners. | Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari is the ANPP candidate and a committee is now expected to choose between the two northerners. |
Profile of contenders | Profile of contenders |
Mr Yar'Adua will be viewed as favourite by many, but if the ANPP and AC select a joint candidate they could present a formidable challenge. | Mr Yar'Adua will be viewed as favourite by many, but if the ANPP and AC select a joint candidate they could present a formidable challenge. |
A BBC correspondent says there is little ideological difference between any of the main parties, which are mostly divided by personality and patronage. | A BBC correspondent says there is little ideological difference between any of the main parties, which are mostly divided by personality and patronage. |
But it seems almost certain that a northerner will win April's elections, a significant factor in a country split into a Muslim north and a largely Christian south. | But it seems almost certain that a northerner will win April's elections, a significant factor in a country split into a Muslim north and a largely Christian south. |
Presidential candidates for some 50 registered political parties are being announced by the end of the week. | Presidential candidates for some 50 registered political parties are being announced by the end of the week. |
Next year's polls should become the first transfer of power from one elected leader to another since independence in 1960. | Next year's polls should become the first transfer of power from one elected leader to another since independence in 1960. |