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Nigerian VP named on graft list Nigerian VP named on graft list
(20 minutes later)
Nigeria's anti-graft agency has released the names of 135 politicians it says are too corrupt to run in the country's elections in April.Nigeria's anti-graft agency has released the names of 135 politicians it says are too corrupt to run in the country's elections in April.
Most prominent is Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who defected from the ruling party to run as an opposition presidential candidate.Most prominent is Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who defected from the ruling party to run as an opposition presidential candidate.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sent the list with a covering letter to political parties. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sent the list with a covering letter to political parties.
The list has 82 opposition candidates and 53 from the ruling party.The list has 82 opposition candidates and 53 from the ruling party.
Some 20 candidates to be regional governors are also on the list, but the main opposition presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, who is generally considered an honest politician by many Nigerians, was not on the list. Almost 30 candidates to be regional governors, including seven serving opposition governors, are also on the list of those the EFCC calls "unfit to hold public office because of corruption".
"The list is purely advisory," EFCC spokesman Osita Nwajah told the BBC, adding that it was left to the parties to decide whether to go ahead and field candidates on the list. The main opposition presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, who is generally considered an honest politician by many Nigerians, was not on the list.
"The list is purely advisory," EFCC spokesman Osita Nwajah told BBC News, adding that it was left to the parties to decide whether to go ahead and field candidates on the list.
StormStorm
The EFCC has consistently said it would not allow corrupt politicians to rule Nigeria, which is considered one of the world's most corrupt countries by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.The EFCC has consistently said it would not allow corrupt politicians to rule Nigeria, which is considered one of the world's most corrupt countries by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.
An EFCC spokesman said they would prosecute politicians ?when the time is ripe?, but says the investigation took "several months" and is ongoing. An EFCC spokesman said they would prosecute politicians "when the time is ripe", but says the investigation took "several months" and is ongoing.
A spokesman for Mr Abubakar, who has consistently denied corruption allegations, has dismissed the list as a "piece of cheap blackmail", adding that they were considering a legal move against the EFCC.A spokesman for Mr Abubakar, who has consistently denied corruption allegations, has dismissed the list as a "piece of cheap blackmail", adding that they were considering a legal move against the EFCC.
"We are studying the list and we are considering a legal option because we are sick and tired of these same baseless and careless charges that they keep bandying about," says spokesman Garba Shehu."We are studying the list and we are considering a legal option because we are sick and tired of these same baseless and careless charges that they keep bandying about," says spokesman Garba Shehu.
Opposition ANPP party leaders, who are meeting in the capital, Abuja, say that the EFCC list is top of the agenda.Opposition ANPP party leaders, who are meeting in the capital, Abuja, say that the EFCC list is top of the agenda.
The EFCC has denied accusations that it targets opponents of President Olusegeun Obasanjo, who steps down in April after two terms in office. The anti-graft agency has denied accusations that it targets opponents of President Olusegeun Obasanjo, who steps down in April after two terms in office.