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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| VP chosen by Nigerian opposition | VP chosen by Nigerian opposition |
| (about 1 hour 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 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. | |
| 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). | |
| 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. |
| In his acceptance speech, Mr Abubakar said he was pleased to accept the candidacy. | |
| "We shall certainly overcome the present tyranny," he said, pledging to tackle issues including unemployment and corruption. | |
| Analysts say Mr Abubakar's decision to leave the ruling party could prompt President Obasanjo to replace him, a move that could spark a constitutional crisis. | |
| 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 the 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. |