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Blow to Nigerian VP electoral bid Blow to Nigerian VP electoral bid
(20 minutes later)
A Nigerian appeal court has ruled that Nigeria's electoral commission can bar candidates who are not qualified to stand for elections. A Nigerian appeal court has ruled that Nigeria's electoral commission can bar candidates who are not qualified to stand for this month's elections.
Correspondents say it is a blow to Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's hope of becoming Nigeria's next president. The vice-president's spokesman dismissed claims that this was a blow to Atiku Abubakar's presidential hopes.
Electoral officials have said graft charges against him would have to be dropped for him to be eligible to run. Electoral officials say graft charges against Mr Abubakar would have to be dropped for him to be eligible to run.
He became a leading opposition candidate after falling out with former ally President Olusegun Obasanjo.He became a leading opposition candidate after falling out with former ally President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a separate case, Mr Abubakar is challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) to omit his name from a list of candidates cleared to run in the poll. The court verdict is not a blank cheque for Inec to just disqualify anyone Garba ShehuMr Abubakar's spokesman
In a separate case, Mr Abubakar is challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) to omit his name from a list of candidates cleared to run in April's poll.
But the BBC's Senan Murray in the capital, Abuja, says that even if this ruling goes in favour of Mr Abubakar, Tuesday's appeal court ruling will carry precedence as it is a higher court.But the BBC's Senan Murray in the capital, Abuja, says that even if this ruling goes in favour of Mr Abubakar, Tuesday's appeal court ruling will carry precedence as it is a higher court.
'Academic'
The appeal court overturned an earlier court ruling which said Inec could not disqualify candidates nominated for the election.The appeal court overturned an earlier court ruling which said Inec could not disqualify candidates nominated for the election.
Our correspondent says the appeal court's decision seems to have put an end to Mr Abubakar's ambition to succeed President Obasanjo, who stands down in May. Mr Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office
The vice-president's spokesman Garba Shehu says the appeal court ruling was "an academic exercise".
"We are going to appeal that decision. The court verdict is not a blank cheque for Inec to just disqualify anyone," he told the BBC News website.
But our correspondent says the appeal court's decision seems to have put an end to Mr Abubakar's ambition to succeed President Obasanjo, who stands down in May.
Mr Abubakar was indicted for graft by a government ministerial panel which investigated corruption in an oil fund.Mr Abubakar was indicted for graft by a government ministerial panel which investigated corruption in an oil fund.
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).
Mr Abubakar, a founding PDP member, defected to the opposition Action Congress (AC) after he fell out with President Obasanjo.Mr Abubakar, a founding PDP member, defected to the opposition Action Congress (AC) after he fell out with President Obasanjo.
AC 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 candidates' presidential ambitions.AC 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 candidates' presidential ambitions.