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Nigerian President Faces Re-election Challenges Within Own Party

   Joe DeCapua 21 June 2010

   In  Nigeria, several prominent northern politicians have made it clear
   they  donât  want  President  Goodluck  Jonathan to run in next yearâs
   elections.   The  opposition  within  the  ruling  PDP  Party follows
   President Jonathanâs refusal to rule himself out of the race and leave
   the door open for a northern Nigerian candidate.

   Jonathan, whoâs from the south, succeeded the late Umaru YarâAdua, who
   was from the north.

   VOA  reporter  Chinedu  Offor,  whoâs on assignment in Abuja, Nigeria,
   says  the  opposition to Mr. Jonathan includes well known names in the
   ruling PDP.

   âThe  prominent  candidates  include the former military head of state
   General  Ibrahim  Babangida, also former vice-president Atiku Abubakar
   andâ¦a  former  head of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Audu Ogbe,â
   he says.

   They  are  part  of  a nearly 50-member team put together at a weekend
   meeting of northern political leaders to block Mr. Jonathanâs possible
   political ambitions.

   Taking turns

   The  northern opposition stems from an unofficial, unwritten agreement
   to alternate the presidency between the north and the south.

   âThey  say Goodluck Jonathan has to abide by the zoning arrangement of
   the  Peoples  Democratic  Party.   They  say although itâs not in the
   constitution,â  he  reports,  âitâs  a  gentlemenâs agreement that Mr.
   Jonathan  must  abide  by because it was through the same process that
   produced Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo as president for 8 years.â

   Obasanjo is from southwestern Nigeria.

   âThey  say  the 8-year term for the north started with YarâAdua.  And
   though  unfortunately  Mr. YarâAdua died, they say the north must take
   another  four  year  slot before power can rotate to any other part of
   Nigeria,â says Offor.

   The agreement, however, could cause problems for the young democracy.

   âMajor  problems  in  the  country,â  says Offor, âThatâs why a lot of
   people  say  the  ruling  Peopleâs Democratic Party is not helping the
   birth  of  democracy  in Nigeria.  They say even internal workings of
   theâ¦party are not democratic.â

   Pro-democracy  groups  say  the PDP is not transparent in choosing its
   leaders.  The  groups  say  place of birth should not be a determining
   factor.

   Keeping quiet

   President  Jonathan  is  not  saying whether heâll be a candidate next
   year.  At least not yet.  And his decision to remain quiet about his
   political plans triggered the northern opposition.

   President  Jonathan  has  said announcing whether heâs a candidate too
   soon  could  affect support for his programs.  He says, for instance,
   if he declares he wonât be a candidate, he could lose influence in the
   country.

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