11 Feb 2011
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is the frontrunner to win April's presidential election, but the ruling party could face tougher battles in the parliamentary and state governorship polls.
Following are some of the regional races which will be closely watched.
-- Bayelsa state: Incumbent governor Timipre Sylva, from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), faces a challenge from ex-presidential adviser Timi Alaibe , who was the main man on the ground responsible for implementing an amnesty for militants.
There is a bitter rivalry between the two. Sylva saw himself politically overshadowed by Alaibe's success with the amnesty. Ex-militants have in the past been used for political thuggery and there has already been violence including bombs and an attack by gunmen at political rallies.
-- Delta state: PDP governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was in January declared winner of a re-run election, held amid tight security, after a court last year overturned his 2007 victory.
His main opponent, Great Ogboru, questioned the conduct of the re-run, and his supporters alleged rigging, setting the stage for a fierce showdown in April.
-- Close races in states on the fringe of the Niger Delta, including Imo and Abia, where armed gangs could also be used for political thuggery, are also seen as potential danger areas.
No comments:
Post a Comment