Parties may boycott presidential election - Atiku in dilemma

By Our Reporters - 17.04.2007

[ QUOTE]AS the opposition political parties meet today in Abuja, there are strong indications that they may boycott Saturday’s presidential poll.

This is sequel to the clearance granted Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest, a development said to have disrupted the consensus plan by the opposition parties.

Nigerian Tribune findings from the opposition camps showed that the issue of boycott was to take the centre stage today instead of the earlier decision to pick a consensus candidate at today’s meeting.

The opposition alliance had at its last meeting agreed to back one candidate with many already speculating that General Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP was the favoured choice.

It was, however, learnt that the arrangement changed following last Saturday’s elections with many opposition parties now advocating boycott as a way of protesting the alleged rigging of the governorship and Houses of Assembly polls.

The opposition leaders were said to be afraid that participating in the presidential poll would give a stamp of approval to the perceived imperfection and alleged rigging of the polls.

This and other issues are said to be on the table for discussion today in Abuja as the opposition chieftains resume talks over a proposed grand alliance against the PDP.

While the opposition leaders are contemplating a boycott, Vice President Abubakar was also reportedly in a dilemma over whether to go ahead with the contest or to also boycott it.

Abubakar’s camp was said to be divided with one group supporting participation while another is advocating boycott.

Those urging Atiku to participate were said to have stated that judiciary was capable of righting whatever wrongs and rigging that might be perpetrated in Saturday’s polls.

Others were, however, said to have kicked against participation as it was felt that the PDP would rig the election.

As at the time of going to the press, the opposition and Atiku’s camp were said to be still undecided on whether to participate or boycott the polls.[QUOTE][/quote]