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Nigerians choose rival candidates Nigeria opposition pick candidate
(about 12 hours later)
Some 5,000 delegates from the main opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) are meeting in Abuja to choose its presidential election candidate. Some 5,000 delegates from the main opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) have met in Abuja to select its presidential election candidate.
On Sunday, Muslim state governor Umara Yar'Adua was selected by the ruling party to contest the April 2007 poll. Six of the seven nominees stood aside to allow the former military leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, to become the party's representative.
The reclusive northerner will be favourite having received support from outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo. Opposition party Action Congress is expected to meet on Wednesday in Lagos.
The ANPP frontrunner is former military leader Muhammadu Buhari - but he lost to President Obasanjo in 2003. On Sunday, Muslim state governor Umaru Yar'Adua was selected by the ruling party to contest the April 2007 poll.
Both men are kinsmen from Nigeria's north-western state of Katsina and the ANPP is hoping that this factor might help split the northern Muslim vote in April's polls. We have the people, we have the support... all we need by the grace of God is free and fair elections Muhammadu Buhari
Also in the race is Ahmed Sani Yerima the governor of Zamfara State. The reclusive northerner will be favourite having received support from outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo, leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
He is best known for his introduction of the strict version of Islamic law, or Sharia, in 1999, a controversial act which led to riots and religious clashes across several states in ensuing years. In his acceptance speech, Gen Buhari - who lost to President Obasanjo in 2003 - promised to run an all-inclusive government if elected next April.
There have been efforts by some party leaders and aspirants to pick a candidate through consensus instead of going through the rigours of election, but these appear to have failed. "We have the people, we have the support of Nigerians, we have the programmes. All we need by the grace of God is free and fair elections," Gen Buhari said.
Gen Buhari's claim that the 2003 presidential elections were rigged was rejected by the Supreme Court last year.
The political rivals are kinsmen from Nigeria's north-western state of Katsina and the ANPP is hoping that this factor might help split the northern Muslim vote in next year's polls.
DealsDeals
The other main opposition party - the Action Congress Party - is due to meet on Wednesday in Lagos. The other main opposition party - the Action Congress party (AC) - is due to meet on Wednesday in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos.
The ANPP leader lost to Mr Obasanjo in 2003 President Obasanjo is standing down after two termsVice-President Atiku Abubakar is expected to seek nomination as AC's presidential candidate.
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who fell out with President Obasanjo, is expected to seek the ACP's support. Mr Abubakar who was a key figure in the formation of the governing PDP was recently suspended following disagreements with Mr Obasanjo and allegations of corruption which he denies.
Last week, the ANPP and AC formed an electoral pact, agreeing not to run rival candidates against each other in an attempt to counter the formidable election machinery of the ruling People's Democratic Party. Last week, the ANPP and AC formed an electoral pact, agreeing not to run rival candidates against each other in an attempt to counter the formidable election machinery of the PDP.
A BBC correspondent says there is little ideological difference between the parties, which are mostly divided by personality and patronage.A BBC correspondent says there is little ideological difference between the parties, which are mostly divided by personality and patronage.
The PDP candidate will start off as favourite to win, but his lack of political experience will give hope to rivals of an upset, say analysts.The PDP candidate will start off as favourite to win, but his lack of political experience will give hope to rivals of an upset, say analysts.
SplitsSplits
Nigeria's population is roughly split between southern-based Christians and Muslims, who predominate in the north. Northerners say it is their turn to have the presidency after years of rule by Mr Obasanjo, a Christian. Nigeria's population is roughly split between southern-based Christians and Muslims who predominate in the north. Northerners say it is their turn to have the presidency after years of rule by Mr Obasanjo, a Christian.
href="/1/hi/world/africa/6187249.stm" class="">Profile: Umaru Yar'Adua href="/1/hi/world/africa/6205876.stm" class="">Profile of contenders
A former college lecturer, Mr Yar'Adua is one of the few governors not currently under investigation for corruption.A former college lecturer, Mr Yar'Adua is one of the few governors not currently under investigation for corruption.
He also has a close family link to Nigeria's leader, for his brother was Mr Obasanjo's deputy when the president was military ruler during the 1970s. And the two men were in jail together during the rule of President Sani Abacha. He also has a close family link to Nigeria's leader - his brother was Mr Obasanjo's deputy when the president was military ruler during the 1970s. And the two men were in jail together during the rule of President Sani Abacha.
His running mate will be a southern Christian governor Goodluck Jonathan, from the oil-rich Niger Delta.His running mate will be a southern Christian governor Goodluck Jonathan, from the oil-rich Niger Delta.
In his speech, Mr Yar'Adua said his nomination furthered the cause of democracy in Nigeria.In his speech, Mr Yar'Adua said his nomination furthered the cause of democracy in Nigeria.
"I am overwhelmed by this great gesture," he said.
But most of the several thousand delegates left immediately after casting their votes, not waiting to hear the results or Mr Yar'Adua's victory speech, Reuters news agency reports.
Since it was hastily formed some eight years ago, the PDP has had to cope with internal feuds that led to the exit of almost all its founding members.Since it was hastily formed some eight years ago, the PDP has had to cope with internal feuds that led to the exit of almost all its founding members.
Mr Abubakar who was a key figure in the formation of the party was recently suspended following disagreements with Mr Obasanjo and allegations of corruption which he denies.
Some prominent candidates, including former military ruler Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, withdrew from the race before the conference.
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.