Nigeria's presidential candidates
The BBC reported that President Obasanjo's People's Democratic Party has picked its candidate for April's election.Nigeria party picks its candidate
"Nigeria's governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen its candidate in next April's presidential election.
"Katsina state Governor Umaru Yar'Adua [at right] - whose nomination was supported by President Olusegun Obasanjo - won the primary comfortably.
"The vote followed bitter in-fighting in PDP ranks for the nomination, and the atmosphere among delegates was downcast, correspondents say..."
The BBC also offered a profile of the candidate.
Profile: Umaru Yar'Adua
"Until a few weeks ago, very little had been heard of Umaru Yar'Adua outside of Nigeria.
"And outside of his own state of Katsina in the north of the country, few Nigerians had heard of him either.
"The reclusive governor sprang to prominence when it became known that he had the support of President Olusegun Obasanjo...
"A former college lecturer, Mr Yar'Adua is one of the few governors not currently under investigation for corruption...
"Described by his critics as taciturn and not known for his tolerance of opposition, Mr Yar'Adua has sometimes been underestimated.
"As one commentator put it, 'because he's quiet, people mistake him for a weakling. But he's someone who knows his own mind.'
"His prudent management of the state's finances is believed to have been important in winning the president's support..."
Vanguard (Lagos) published an account of the PDP Convention.
Vanguard also reported on one way Obasanjo is likely to remain a powerful figure in Nigeria after he is no longer in office.
Nigeria: PDP Endorses Strong Role for Obasanjo After Office
"THE reported move to position President Olusegun Obasanjo in political reckoning after he steps down from office next year received endorsement at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention yesterday. The national convention amended provisions of the party constitution that would make the president take over the chairmanship of the party's Board of Trustees whose powers have also been strengthened..."
posted by Ken Wedding @ 7:38 AM
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A BBC update on Monday, 17 Dec. 2006:
Nigerians choose rival candidates
"Some 5,000 delegates from the main opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) are meeting in Abuja to choose its presidential election candidate...
"The ANPP frontrunner is former military leader Muhammadu Buhari... Also in the race is Ahmed Sani Yerima the governor of Zamfara State...
"The other main opposition party - the Action Congress Party - is due to meet on Wednesday in Lagos.
"Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who fell out with President Obasanjo, is expected to seek the ACP's support...
"A BBC correspondent says there is little ideological difference between the parties, which are mostly divided by personality and patronage.
"The PDP candidates [Muslim state governor Umara Yar'Adua and his running mate, a southern Christian governor Goodluck Jonathan, from the oil-rich Niger Delta] will start off as favourites to win, but their lack of [national] political experience will give hope to rivals of an upset, say analysts..."
From the New York Times on Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Opposition Picks a Familiar Face
"The All Nigeria People’s Party, the main opposition, chose Muhammadu Buhari... a northern Muslim from the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group and a former army general who took power in a military coup in 1983, as its presidential candidate for elections in April after all six other contestants withdrew...
"Mr. Buhari was the closest rival to Mr. Obasanjo in the presidential election in 2003, in which Mr. Obasanjo, a Christian from the south and a former military ruler himself, defeated him by nearly a ratio of nearly two to one. Mr. Buhari’s iron-fisted rule from 1983 to 1985 is best remembered for its austerity measures, the jailing of politicians on corruption charges, and the execution of drug traffickers."
Wednesday, 20 December 2006 from the BBC
VP chosen by Nigerian opposition
"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...
"Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari is the ANPP candidate and a committee is now expected to choose between the two northerners.
"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.
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..."
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