AP News, December 18th, 2006
Nigeria's ruling party on Sunday chose a Muslim from the north as its candidate for presidential elections that will mark the first transfer of power between elected governments since Nigeria's independence in 1960.
Umaru Yar'Adua, a former school teacher and governor of Katsina region, pledged in an acceptance speech to abide by the anti-corruption and economic reform programs of the People's Democratic Party if he wins the April elections.
"To my fellow contestants ... it is my humble view that we are all winners in advancing the cause of democracy in our country," he said to applause in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. "I am overwhelmed by this great gesture."
President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose 1999 election ended years of military rule, is prevented by law from running for a third term. A strong campaign by his supporters to amend the constitution to allow him to run again was defeated in parliament earlier this year.
Backers argued he needed more time to complete reforms, but opponents said an extension would undermine democracy on a continent where many leaders have entrenched themselves as dictators for life.
With its long history of military rule and coups, oil-rich Nigeria has not seen a successful transfer of power from one elected government to another since independence.
Yar'Adua is widely believed to have Obasanjo's backing, an advantage many believe will make him likely to win the elections.
Nigeria's 130 million people are roughly split between Muslims who dominate the north and southern-based Christians. Northerners say it is their turn to have the presidency after years of rule by Obasanjo, a Christian.
