Date:18/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/18/stories/2006121804291400.htm

International - Globescan

Candidate for President

ABUJA (Nigeria): Nigeria's ruling party on Sunday chose a Muslim from the north as its candidate in next year's presidential elections, handing Umaru Yar'Adua the nomination. After a night of voting and ballot tallying, a party official announced to cheering delegates that Yar'Adua, Governor of Katsina, had won 3,024 votes — easily beating his closest rival, who received only 372 votes. Mr. Yar'Adua pledged in an acceptance speech to abide by the party's anti-corruption and economic reform programmes if elected and offered thanks to the dozen other candidates who had hoped to carry the People's Democratic Party standard. ``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. ``I am overwhelmed by this great gesture,'' he said. — AP