Abuja Federal High Court has exempted five governors from April election

Abuja Federal High Court has exempted five ruling party governors from facing re-election in April, as their terms have not yet expired. Judge Adamu Bello said the governors, who took up their posts a year after most of their colleagues, could not participate in the election "until 60 days to the expiration of (their four year) tenures."

Bello added that it would be "unlawful" and "illegal" for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stage elections in Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Cross River states.

Speaking about his decision, Bello noted: “There is nowhere in the world where a constitution takes retroactive effect as erroneously held by INEC. The said amendment cannot be used to determine the tenure of the governors who took oath of office in 2008…INEC cannot validly conduct elections in the five states until 60 days to the expiration of the tenures of the present occupants. The notice of elections, received nominations, and timetable issued by INEC for the April 2011 elections are unlawful, illegal and contrary to section 180 of the constitution.”

The five governors who went to court to prevent the INEC from forcing them to take part in the elections before they had completed their full terms are: Ibrahim Idris of Kogi state; Timipriye Sylva, Bayelsa state; Liyel Imoke, Cross River state; Murtala Nyako, Adamawa state and Aliyu Wammakko of Sokoto state.

Sources: The Washington Post, My Joy Online, Reuters

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President Jonathan confirms intention to run for presidency

On Tuesday 7th September, President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed his intention to run for the presidency in the 2011 general elections. The announcement was made in an exclusive meeting with a group of governors who were elected under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The governors' meeting, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by the following governors:

Danbaba Suntai - Taraba State

Isa Yuguda - Bauchi State

Godswill Akpabio - Akwa Ibom State

Rotimi Amaechi - Rivers State

Liyel Imoke - Cross Rivers State

Timipre Sylva - Bayelsa State

Sullivan Chime - Enugu State

Gabriel Suswam - Benue State

Emmanuel Uduaghan - Delta State

Ihedi Ohakim - Imo State

Murtala Nyako - Adamawa State

Aliyu Akwe Doma - Nassarawa State

Babangida Aliyu - Niger State.

Although specific details of the meeting are yet unknown, sources said that the governors confirmed their support for Jonathan's candidacy, and some offered to be zonal co-ordinators of his campaign.

Sources have stated that the President will make the long-awaited formal public declaration of his intention on the 18th September. His disclosure came three days earlier than the expected date of 10th September, which had been announced by Presidential Adviser on Legislative/National Assembly matters Mohammed Abba-Aji.

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

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