NIGERIA: Nigeria's strongest opposition party the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) launches bid for Presidency

Nigeria's strongest opposition party the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) kicks off its presidential campaign with its leader - former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari - running again for the country's top post. The leading opposition political party the All Nigeria Peoples' Party (ANPP) began its campaign for the presidency this weekend in the south-eastern city of Aba, the capital of Abia state. Its presidential candidate the former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, characteristically criticised President Olusegun Obasanjo performance in his speech to ANPP supporters. "On roads, since 1999 over one trillion naira have been voted for roads yet there's no where through out the length and breath of this country where you will find a stretch of 200 kilometres long that is completed rather what we have is patch-patch of pot holes," Buhari said. Buhari's main rival is Governor Umaru Yar'Adua from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP is favourite to win the April elections in Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer, but diplomats say an opposition united around Buhari, a Muslim from northern Nigeria, would present a formidable challenge. Buhari contested the 2003 elections on the ANPP ticket and lost to President Olusegun Obasanjo after a vote marred by rigging and violence. His legal challenge against those results was finally rejected by the Supreme Court last year. 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. The poll in April should mark the first handover from one elected president to another since independence from Britain in 1960.

ITN Source | February 20, 2007

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