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Atiku, Buhari and Ribadu - the great northern hopes

Northern politicians have regrouped and are making a determined bid for the presidency in next year's election

The postponement of the presidential election until 9 April 2011 means another four months of intensive party politicking and the shelving of plans to reform the oil, gas and electricity sectors. Strategists around President Goodluck Jonathan want time for him to win over his divided party and the country at large. Delays also give northern Nigeria's political clans time to sharpen strategies and renegotiate their alliances with the south. Policy failures are undermining President Jonathan, who presented himself as the leader who would clean up the oil business and fix the power industry. The amnesty that he and his late predecessor, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, secured in the Niger Delta is coming apart; oil production and state revenues are falling (AC Vol 51 Nos 21 & 23)....

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Free article preview

Atiku, Buhari and Ribadu - the great northern hopes

Northern politicians have regrouped and are making a determined bid for the presidency in next year's election

end of free article preview

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