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Nigeria VP challenges poll list Nigeria VP challenges poll list
(about 1 hour later)
Nigeria's vice-president is challenging the electoral commission's decision to bar him from standing as a candidate in next month's presidential elections.Nigeria's vice-president is challenging the electoral commission's decision to bar him from standing as a candidate in next month's presidential elections.
Electoral officials say graft charges against Atiku Abubakar would have to be dropped for him to be eligible.Electoral officials say graft charges against Atiku Abubakar would have to be dropped for him to be eligible.
His lawyers have been granted an accelerated hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.His lawyers have been granted an accelerated hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Correspondents say if Mr Abubakar wins his case, the poll might be delayed, in order to reprint ballot papers.Correspondents say if Mr Abubakar wins his case, the poll might be delayed, in order to reprint ballot papers.
Mr Abubakar became a leading opposition candidate for the Action Congress after falling out with former ally President Olusegun Obasanjo.Mr Abubakar became a leading opposition candidate for the Action Congress after falling out with former ally President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The polls should see the first transfer of power from one elected leader to another since Africa's most populous country gained independence in 1960.The polls should see the first transfer of power from one elected leader to another since Africa's most populous country gained independence in 1960.
'Confident' Disappointment
"I am confident that our candidate will contest the elections because Inec [Independent National Electoral Commission] has no powers under the constitution or the Electoral Act to disqualify any candidate," Action Congress spokesman Lai Mohammed said. "My candidacy will go ahead because there is no law barring me from running. I know the president is doing all what he can to stop me from running but under the law he has not that power," Mr Abubakar told the BBC.
Once you have been indicted, Inec cannot do anything about it, Inec Chairman Maurice Iwu But the BBC's Sola Odunfa in Lagos says a final decision is unlikely to be delivered before early April because the parties will fight all the way to the Supreme Court. Once you have been indicted, Inec cannot do anything about it, Inec Chairman Maurice Iwu
He said people felt let down by the democratic institutions in the country.
"There has been so much disappointment as far as democracy is concerned. We have the institutions of democracy undermined, from the national assembly to the judiciary to the independent electoral commission."
Action Congress spokesman Lai Mohammed said the Independent National Electoral Commission had no powers under the constitution or the Electoral Act to disqualify any candidate and he was confident Mr Abubakar would stand.
But the BBC's Sola Odunfa in Lagos says a final decision is unlikely to be delivered before early April because the parties will fight all the way to the Supreme Court.
Our correspondent says if Mr Abubukar wins, Inec would have to postpone the poll in order to print and distribute ballots papers - which would have to carry his name, photograph and party emblem - for some 60m registered voters.Our correspondent says if Mr Abubukar wins, Inec would have to postpone the poll in order to print and distribute ballots papers - which would have to carry his name, photograph and party emblem - for some 60m registered voters.
In the meantime, our reporter says the police may decide to withdraw permits issued to Mr Abubakar to hold public campaign rallies as technically he is no longer a candidate. In the meantime, our reporter, says the police may decide to withdraw permits issued to Mr Abubakar to hold public campaign rallies as technically he is no longer a candidate.
Politically motivatedPolitically motivated
Last week a high court ruling ruled Inec could not disqualify candidates, but electoral officials chose to interpret the constitution differently on Thursday.Last week a high court ruling ruled Inec could not disqualify candidates, but electoral officials chose to interpret the constitution differently on Thursday.
President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in officePresident Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office
It omitted Mr Abubakar from its list of 24 presidential candidates eligible to run, saying that as he has been indicted for corruption he was disqualified.It omitted Mr Abubakar from its list of 24 presidential candidates eligible to run, saying that as he has been indicted for corruption he was disqualified.
"Once you have been indicted, Inec cannot do anything about it," Inec Chairman Maurice Iwu said."Once you have been indicted, Inec cannot do anything about it," Inec Chairman Maurice Iwu said.
The vice-president has said the corruption indictment is politically motivated and he has challenged it in the courts.The vice-president has said the corruption indictment is politically motivated and he has challenged it in the courts.
The Action Congress is one of the two main opposition parties contesting the election, and continues to hold mass rallies around the country, despite the block to its candidate's presidential ambitions.The Action Congress is one of the two main opposition parties contesting the election, and continues to hold mass rallies around the country, despite the block to its candidate's presidential ambitions.
President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms and Umaru Yar'Adua is standing on behalf of his People's Democratic Party (PDP).President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms and Umaru Yar'Adua is standing on behalf of his People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) is the best known challenger on the list of 24 approved candidates.Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) is the best known challenger on the list of 24 approved candidates.