Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Nigeriaâs Ruling Party to Begin Discussions Ahead of Aprilâs Vote

   Peter Clottey 23 November 2010
   People's Democratic Party (PDP)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   A ruling PDP supporter

   The  spokesman  for  Nigeriaâs  ruling Peopleâs Democratic Party (PDP)
   told VOA top officials of the governing party will soon hold strategic
   discussions  on its next line of action after the Independent National
   Electoral  Commission  (INEC)  announced next yearâs presidential vote
   will be held on 9^th April.

   Rufai  Ahmed  Alkali  said  his  party  is determined to work with all
   stakeholders to ensure the presidential election is credible. The head
   of   Nigeria's   electoral   commission,   Attahiru  Jega,  also  said
   parliamentary elections will be held on 2^nd April.

   âWe  will  wait  until we get the full brief and the details about the
   timetable,  then  the  party will sit down and study the timetable and
   take a decision on what to do next,â he said.

   The presidential election was previously scheduled for January. Alkali
   said  his  party  is  confident in winning the 9^th April presidential
   vote.

   Nigerian  lawmakers  recently approved a constitutional amendment that
   allowed the poll to be postponed until April. The electoral commission
   had asked for more time to correct voter lists.

   On  Monday,  a  group  of  influential  northern  politicians endorsed
   presidential challenger former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

   Political  observers  say  the  move  could potentially create a split
   within  the  ruling party. But, Alkali said the party is neutral about
   the partyâs upcoming primary.

   âWe  issued  a  short  statement  after  we  heard  the report and the
   position  is  that  we  are  aware that, as (the) election approaches,
   political  actors  in  the  country are likely to be strategizing on a
   number  of  ways  to achieve their objectives. We, as a party, did not
   want  to be dragged into controversies. We felt that we want to remain
   neutral,â he said.

   Alkali  further  said  his  party  will resolve all outstanding issues
   within the PDP ahead of next yearâs elections.

   PDP  members  are  debating  whether  to nominate a Christian like Mr.
   Jonathan or a Muslim like Abubakar. The party has a custom of rotating
   the  presidency  between  a  northern  Muslim and a southern Christian
   every two terms.

.