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Nigeria parties mull poll boycott Nigerian poll boycott scuppered
(about 2 hours later)
Nigeria opposition party leaders are discussing whether to boycott Saturday's presidential election. Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari will not boycott Saturday's elections, his party says, splitting an opposition alliance.
They want the election to be postponed, saying the election commission is biased in favour of the ruling party. The All Nigeria People's Congress spokesman said as "true and patriotic democrats" they did not want to play into the hands of the ruling party.
But the government has said the election will go ahead as planned. The opposition is believed to be split on the idea of a boycott. Earlier, 18 opposition parties called for the polls to be postponed.
Last week's state elections were marred by violent clashes and cases of vote rigging, mostly in the oil-rich south.Last week's state elections were marred by violent clashes and cases of vote rigging, mostly in the oil-rich south.
See state resultsSee state results
The ruling party won 27 of the 34 state contests declared. Two elections were postponed because of irregularities. The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 27 of the 34 state contests declared. Two elections were postponed because of irregularities.
In the northern city of Kano, the military says it is continuing to clear a group of Islamic militants away from the Panshekara district on the outskirts of the city after two days of clashes, which have left at least 38 people dead.In the northern city of Kano, the military says it is continuing to clear a group of Islamic militants away from the Panshekara district on the outskirts of the city after two days of clashes, which have left at least 38 people dead.
The BBC's Alex Last in Kano say the incident may not be directly linked to the elections, but it was certainly timed to have maximum affect, given that the country is in the midst of political turmoil ahead of Saturday's polls.The BBC's Alex Last in Kano say the incident may not be directly linked to the elections, but it was certainly timed to have maximum affect, given that the country is in the midst of political turmoil ahead of Saturday's polls.
Protest call Split
Opposition sources say one of the candidates, Muhammadu Buhari, does not support a boycott. The boycott had been favoured by the other main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC) party.
You have to do all you can to collect some water before the electricity goes off... it's not a tea party Edith ObetaPetty trader, Kagadama Water wars in arid north You have to do all you can to collect some water before the electricity goes off... it's not a tea party Edith ObetaPetty trader, Kagadama Water wars in arid north
The other main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is believed to support the boycott call. "We shall not boycott. I repeat, we shall not boycott and we will participate fully in the National Assembly elections and the presidential elections," ANPP leader Edwin Ume-Ezeoke told a news conference in the capital.
His participation in the poll was only confirmed on Tuesday by the election commission, after a Supreme Court ruling on Monday. "The party has decided that as true and patriotic democrats, we do not want to unconsciously become tools in the hands of the PDP-led government in their tenure elongation programme."
Mr Buhari had called for an opposition alliance against the PDP's Umaru Yar'Adua but neither he nor Mr Abubakar seems willing to step aside for the other.
Mr Abubakar's participation in the poll was only confirmed on Tuesday by the election commission, after a Supreme Court ruling on Monday.
The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) had disqualified him because of charges of corruption, which he denies.The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) had disqualified him because of charges of corruption, which he denies.
Mr Buhari had called for an opposition alliance against the People's Democratic Party's Umaru Yar'Adua but neither man seems willing to step down. On Tuesday night, 18 of the main parties demanded that the elections be delayed and threatened a boycott unless several conditions were met.
In a statement on Tuesday night, 18 of the main parties demanded that the elections be delayed and threatened a boycott unless several conditions were met.
However, Inec lawyer Joe-Kyari Gagzama said the election could not legally be delayed after a high court ruling two weeks ago.However, Inec lawyer Joe-Kyari Gagzama said the election could not legally be delayed after a high court ruling two weeks ago.
He also said the tenure of most of those in office expires on 29 May.He also said the tenure of most of those in office expires on 29 May.
Things have to change Hadiza HarunaHousewife, Kagadama Send us your commentsThings have to change Hadiza HarunaHousewife, Kagadama Send us your comments
The opposition parties also urged Nigerians to "protest in a non-violent manner these sham elections so far held, and to resist further elections under the current structure".The opposition parties also urged Nigerians to "protest in a non-violent manner these sham elections so far held, and to resist further elections under the current structure".
The opposition said the electoral commission was under the control of outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo.The opposition said the electoral commission was under the control of outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Apart from attempting to discredit the elections, many observers question what the opposition would achieve by boycotting. Apart from attempting to discredit the elections, many observers had questioned what the opposition would achieve by boycotting.
Many Nigerians fear further violence on Saturday, which should lead to the first handover of power in Africa's most populous nation from one civilian administration to another.Many Nigerians fear further violence on Saturday, which should lead to the first handover of power in Africa's most populous nation from one civilian administration to another.
President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.
Gun battleGun battle
Our correspondent says after Tuesday's all-day gun battle, the Panshekara area of Kano is now quiet.Our correspondent says after Tuesday's all-day gun battle, the Panshekara area of Kano is now quiet.
More violence is feared in this week's pollsIt is not clear if the militants are still together or have just melted away into the outlying areas of scrubland, dotted with low-build houses and acacia trees, he says.More violence is feared in this week's pollsIt is not clear if the militants are still together or have just melted away into the outlying areas of scrubland, dotted with low-build houses and acacia trees, he says.
The Nigerian commander said many militants had been killed, but there has been no independent confirmation of the figures. At least 12 policemen were killed.The Nigerian commander said many militants had been killed, but there has been no independent confirmation of the figures. At least 12 policemen were killed.
Residents said the militants had numbered up to 300, including women and children.Residents said the militants had numbered up to 300, including women and children.
They are believed to be part of a radical Islamic group which had come en masse to avenge the assassination of a hardline cleric killed in a Kano mosque last Friday.They are believed to be part of a radical Islamic group which had come en masse to avenge the assassination of a hardline cleric killed in a Kano mosque last Friday.
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