Nigerian Elections 2003: Update 003--the Slate of Candidates So Far

By

Mobolaji E. Aluko

alukome@aol.com  

Sunday, January 12, 2002

Dear Nigerians:

The political season is getting more interesting, with more and more candidates being (s)elected.  Of the three "Generation One" parties - AD, ANPP and PDP - only AD has not chosen its own ticket yet (?).  All the three "Generation Two" parties - APGA, UNPP and NDP - and three of the 24 "Generation Three" parties - APGA, PMP and PAC - have now chosen their tickets.

The slate so far is as follows:

Stay tuned.

Bolaji Aluko

2003 Elections Pollster

Wondering What AD is waiting for

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Articles below:

1.  Ekwueme fumes as PDP picks Obasanjo

2.  ANPP moves to settle for Buhari-Okadigbo ticket

3.  NCP Nominates Gani As Presidential Flagbearer

4.  Ojukwu,  Nwankwo, Jibril Get Presidential Tickets

5.  Nwobodo, Nwachukwu Pick Presidential Tickets

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Guardian

Tuesday, January 7, 2003

Ekwueme fumes as PDP picks Obasanjo

From Akpo Esajere and Abiodun Adeniyi, Abuja

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo's bid for a second term in office yesterday received an overwhelming endorsement of his party. It was indeed a stunning show of unanimity by delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Convention in a presidential primaries that belied recent acrimonous disagreements within the party. It also proved book makers wrong.

Obasanjo pulled 2,642 votes out of the total of 3,514 cast, representing 75.18 per cent. His closest rival, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme got 661 votes or 18.81 per cent. Tough-talking contestant Alhaji Abubakar Rimi secured 159 votes while former national chairman of the party, Chief Barnabas Gemade had 17 votes. The result featured 35 invalidated votes, including some cast erroneously for Senator Ike Nwachukwu a former presidential aspirant wh decamped recently. To the National Democratic Parry (NDP). But magnanimity underlined PDP the tone of President Olusegun Obasanjo's speech as the winner of the primaries.

Obasanjo in an all-white national dress with a matching pair of white shoes held Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar unto the podium waving at they delegates.

The President who read a script which was apparently quickly prepared, commended the PDP leadership for a job well done. "The convention," he said, "was properly organised and concluded." And because the party did it well in Jos in 1999 and had repeated same in Abuja in 2003, Obasanjo expressed hopes that the PDP was laying a good foundation for the sustenance of democracy and good governance in the country.

Obasanjo assured that the giant steps the PDP had taken in the last three and half years, would be improved upon for the general good of all in the next four years.

He described the Vice President as his friend, colleague and brother, who had been very supportive and cooperative over the last three and a half years. Obasanjo consequently presented Abubkar as his running mate to the party chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh and the PDP partesuns. President Obasanjo's close touch with Atiku, largely erased all lingering doubts of friction between the two leaders.

The President who spoke after Chief Ogbeh had formally presented him as the party's flagbearer, praised his fellow contestants for making the contests keener.

He extended a hand of fellowship to the politicians, saying together they could make the nation greater through the PDP. He concluded his speech amidst victory songs by supporters before the party chairman suggested that the defeated aspirants be invited to the podium. " I can go and meet them," Obasanjo told the chairman, but the protocol approached the men, offering the invitation Ekwueme conferred with Rimi after while, they stood up to the admiration of the crowd.

Gemade spoke first giving God the glory for everything. The former chairman said his low 17 votes score was a result of attercations arising from the many court cases that had preceded the elections. He also pleaded with the press to spare him in their report of the primaries. Gemade then congratulated Obasanjo, saying that as a former chairman of the party, he had serious stakes in its successes. Rimi commended the conduct of the polls reasoning that the development was cheerful for democracy. He thanked those who ?? in his campaign office for doing a volunteer job, as according to him they received no pay. He however warned that winning the primaries was one thing, while the general elections remained the major task. And for PDP to make any headway therein, he urged that the many crises robbing the party in states be quickly resolved, warning that it could spell doom for the party if his advice was not heeded.

Ekwueme who spoke last said he was "a stideles for principles," and anyone who knew him knew that he loved to do things properly, even to a fault. Pursuant to this, Ekwueme acknowledged that the polls were properly done, but added that credit for that should go to the defeated aspirants who had insisted that the venue should not be the International Conference Centre, where it was originally fixed. Besides, he complained that aspirants did not see the ballot papers before the primaries, saying that it was bad that the papers were serialised alleging making it possible to know how states voted - a thing they earlier objected to.

"The carrot and the stick was also use to woo voters," Ekwueme submitted against the grain of emergent prolic opinion that had hailed the polls. Nonetheless, "I thank all 661 delegates who voted for me. I wish the party well," he added.

Ogbeh called for the National Anthem to be sang by all. It was so done, while dignitaries departed in amidst siren blare, to pave way for the imminent All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) convention expected to begin also yesterday.

Party secretary, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor told journalists that the PDP had set a good example for other parties to follow.

--------- See BBC Commentaries

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2625877.stm

Monday, 6 January, 2003, 11:10 GMT

Nigerian party backs Obasanjo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1804940.stm

Wednesday, 6 February, 2002, 18:17 GMT

Profile: Olusegun Obasanjo

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Vanguard  January 8, 2003

ANPP moves to settle for Buhari-Okadigbo ticket

By Chuks Ugwoke, Paul Odili & Rotimi Ajayi

Wednesday, January 08, 2003

ABUJA - BARRING a last-minute change of mind, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) appeared, last night, to have settled for former military ruler, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate and former Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo as his running mate in April's election. The decision, taken at a pre- convention meeting of ANPP governors and state chairmen is already causing ripples in the party with about three governors and some of the presidential aspirants expressing worries over the implications of the ticket for the party. Previous attempts to pick a strong consensus candidate that could match President Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP had failed.

Vanguard gathered that the party leadership had on Monday, asked Northern aspirants to produce a consensus candidate from their rank and their Southern counterparts to do same. The Northern aspirants, accordingly chose Gen. Buhari with Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Alhaji Lema Jubrilu and Alhaji Yusuf Ali withdrawing from the race. Most of the Southern aspirants were said to be against the idea, preferring instead to try their strength at the convention grounds. Vanguard further gathered that after reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the various aspirants, especially from the South, who were thought to be incapable of facing Obasanjo, the party leadership settled for the Buhari-Okadigbo ticket.

An unconfirmed report said before the decision on the Buhari-Okadigbo ticket, a shadow election was held early, yesterday at the party secretariat where Chief Rochas Okorocha defeated Gen. Buhari by 11 votes to 7. The governors were reportedly unimpressed by the outcome of the shadow election.

Vanguard also gathered that the choice of Buhari-Okadigbo was informed after reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the various aspirants, especially those from the South, which party sources say did not have the necessary muscle to take on the Obasanjo-Atiku ticket.

It was learnt that following the meeting of the aspirants, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and members of the Board of Trustees held another round of meeting with them where the names of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Chuba Okadigbo were suggested. Also considered for the vice-presidential slot was Chief Pere Ajunwa. But the move to adopt this duo was opposed by some of the aspirants. Specifically, Chief Okorocha, who won the shadow election is demanding that the party should allow all the aspirants to go to face the delegates. Chief John Nwodo is also unhappy with the Buhari-Okadigbo ticket because he believes that the combination will not sell in the general elections.

A source in his camp told Vanguard that Buhari made overtures to Nwodo to be his running mate but he (Nwodo) declined because he felt that a ticket with the former Head of State would be a hard sell. Also opposed to the ticket, Vanguard learnt, were Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Gen. Jeremiah Useni and Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. The various interest groups now believe the ANPP will be short-changing itself by adopting Buhari as its candidate. They say the PDP would have an easy ride in the elections.

The adoption of Okadigbo as Buhari's running mate came from a smart political move he (Okadigbo) pulled, following the support Buhari got from the North. Vanguard learnt that as soon as it became obvious where the trend was flowing, Okadigbo reached out to the Buhari camp and the party leadership that if they endorsed Buhari he would be prepared to go along with them as it was clear the Igbo were not yet prepared for the Presidency. His move effectively narrowed the option to himself regarding who should pair with Buhari. However, Okadigbo's action did not go down well with his fellow Igbo aspirants, who felt that without putting up a fight Okadigbo was endorsing a Northern candidate.

Meanwhile, the need to get all the aspirants to agree to the Buhari- Okadigbo ticket delayed the commencement of the convention as some series of meetings were called over the issue. Specifically, some of the aggrieved aspirants who felt schemed out by the party leadership met at the Niger State Governor's Lodge. The Niger State Governor belongs to the PDP. The convention proper was scheduled to commence at 9.00 p.m yesterday. Many Igbo members of the ANPP were angry at the way the ANPP had cheated them a few days after the defeat of Dr. Alex Ekwueme in the PDP primaries. The party leadership was also said to have zoned its chairmanship to the South-South. Tipped for the position is Chief Donald Etiebet, a former Minister of Petroleum. Also yesterday, posters of former military Vice-President, Augustus Aikhomu and Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Gov. Attahiru Bafarawa canvassing for the support of the party's delegates for the party's presidential ticket flooded the venue of the convention. Spokesman for the convention committee, Mr. Victor Lar dismissed the posters as the handiwork of detractors. According to him, the nomination was already closed thereby making it impossible for new aspirants to be considered.

----See BBC Commentaries

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2639165.stm

Wednesday, 8 January, 2003, 14:15 GMT

'Honest' general wants to rule Nigeria

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2634803.stm

Wednesday, 8 January, 2003, 14:15 GMT

Nigerian opposition picks military man

http://allafrica.com/stories/200301090074.html

Opposition Party Picks Former Military Ruler As Candidate

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

January 9, 2003

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NCP Nominates Gani As Presidential Flagbearer

This Day

January 9, 2003

Boluwaji Ikumawoyi And James Emejo

Lagos

Lagos lawyer and human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Mr. Jerry Gopye have been nominated as the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the National Conscience Party (NCP). The national convention of the party, organised at the Andrew Agom Hall of Skypower Club in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, Fawehinmi scored 432 'Yes' vote as against zero 'No' votes while Gopye, his running mate, scored 425 'Yes' votes as against none for 'No' votes. The event, which started at about 10 am,was attended by Alhaji Gubio Gambo who led a delegation of seven Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representatives, including Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Odebiyi and Mr. Ekpeyong Isa, the INEC resident commissioners for Lagos and Ogun states respectively, among others to observe the party's primary elections.

Also present at the convention were NCP's governorship and National Assembly candidates, including key officers and members from all the states of the federation who participated as delegates at the exercise.

In his address, Fawehinmi, who is also the national chairman of the party, said "today is a very important day in the history of Africa because it is the first day a radical, oppressed and peoples group is registered to pick a presidential representative after suffering from a long and protracted injustice and humiliation."

He noted that, "Our own convention is different from that of others which I will describe as convention of looters."

Fawehinmi stressed that he was committed to the 10-core programme of the party which included probing of all administration from January 15, 1966 to the present and punishing anyone found guilty as a deterrent to others.

He noted that the party would not privatise any government parastatal and employment would be given to the unemployed or unemployment benefit to unemployed according to the dictates of the constitution, adding that social benefits would be worked out for children, aged and the disabled.

"We will improve the quality of life by reducing the interest rates as it was done in the United States of America and we will reduce dumping and importation of 'tokunbo' (products) to develop locally produced goods.

"We will improve individual business and make Nigerians the investors and not foreign elements because we are tired of double standard and tricks being played by the present government." Fawehinmi said. Also in his acceptance speech, the NCP presidential running mates, Gopye, who hails from Plateau State said, "it is time to stand up collectively to resist the dastardly act of mischievous elements in our polity."

He added that "NCP is for abolition of poverty, corruption and unemployment. Many Nigerians have been victims of poverty yet the fraudsters in the government keep on frustrating and pauperising the masses without any modicum of respect for the people."

NCP's governorship candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Adewunmi Abass and his deputy Mrs. Teju Abiola, wife of late Chief M.K.O Abiola played major roles in the organisation of the event as the host.

Other gubernatorial candidates of the party include the National General Secretary of the party, Mr. Femi Aborishade for Oyo State, Mr. Lanre Banjo for Ogun State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana for Edo State and others.

The Independent

January 8

Gani chooses running mate

By Gbenga Adebayo,

Daily Independent, Lagos

Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the national chairman and Presidential aspirant of the National Conscience Party (NCP), has chosen his running mate in preparation for the general elections.

Speaking at the Lagos State congress of the party in Ikeja, Fawehinmi said he has seen a candidacy in Jerry Ugbowu, from Plateau State, which is the North-Central geo- political zone of the country.

He said the choice of Ugbowu, whom he met while serving a jailed term some years ago is due to the fact that the young man knows how it feels to be poverty-stricken and fully ready to alleviate the sufferings of the Nigerian people. " I met this man while I was serving a jail sentence 15 years ago and the way he was talking then propelled me to believe so much in his ability to deliver. Even in prison, he was known as the `special adviser' on prison affairs because of his commanding nature and I believe he will deliver.

" This man has tasted poverty, lived in poverty and grew in poverty. So he knows what it means for people to be poverty stricken," he said.

The presidential aspirant believes their combination if voted into power would alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians because, according to him, "we are the best the country has at this moment."

On his alleged plan of trying to forge a working relationship with some other parties to fight the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fawehinmi said the party would continue to talk with the parties but would never compromise its stand.

According to him, " we cherish our principles. We will not forsake the aspirations of the masses. We will never leave the masses. We care for all of them. We know where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going.

" Poverty knows no geographical location. Hunger is a victim of ineptitude. Nigeria must wake up now and the only platform for our people is the NCP. We are the conscience of the Nigerian people, Nigerian nation and Nigerians should vote for us," he said. He called on NCP supporters to eschew violence and come together as a team to put the party where it should be, adding, "a man with conscience will not result to violence, if you are truly a man of conscience, you will support whatever results that comes out from the party."

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Guardian

January 11, 2003

Ojukwu,  Nwankwo, Jibril Get Presidential Tickets

FROM EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO (ABUJA) AND VICTOR ONYEKA-BEN (ENUGU) CHIEF Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu yesterday emerged the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), by an overwhelming voice vote of close to 1000 delegates. His endorsement took place at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja

The Peoples Mandate Party(PMP) and the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) likewise mandated Chief Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo and Sarah Jibril,a woman,to fly the parties' flags in the April 19 presidential election.

Chief Ojukwu who spoke after his endorsement said if Nigerians gave him their mandate as president at the polls, he would deliver political, economic and religious healing for Nigerians.

According to the APGA flagbearer who was last week adopted by the National Executive Committee of the party headed by Chief Chekwas Okorie as the consensus candidate, a Federal Government led by his party will put Nigeria back on sound economic footing.

He also warned politicians and electoral officials who may be planning to rig the elections to have a rethink because the party supporters are eternally vigilant to ensure a hitch-free and fair polls.

"You have always erroneously known and heard about one as warlord and fighter. But I am coming to Nigerians as a true healer who has the patriotic and nationalistic duty to place this country on the right path of economic growth and development even as I will give the country good governance anchored on justice peace, love and inter- ethnic harmony,"he told the party faithful.

Ojukwu who chose a Kano-born Ibrahim Sani Bayero from the royal family as his running mate in the race also restated his call for convocation of a national conference.

Analysing what he termed as the foundation of the myriad of problems besetting the country, Ojukwu whose speech was frequently interrupted by thunderous applause said, "the problem with Nigeria is that we started off on the wrong footing. The federal structure Nigeria inherited is lopsided. We have been trying to talk about it."

Ojukwu was also critical of widespread corruption perpetrated by the current political office holders just as he stated that the anti- graft crusade had not been commendable.

Ojukwu, who will flag-off his presidential campaign in Aba next week said: "Our government will fundamentally remake and rebuild Nigeria in all spheres. I am here to tell you that my aim is not to rule Nigeria but to heal Nigeria. I am a General too. Nigerians should know that I am a more senior General and democratised than the two other Generals produced by PDP and ANPP."

APGA,he said, will do everything possible to revive the educational, agricultural and health sectors even as he said religious harmony would be promoted.

Speaking earlier, APGA national Chief Okorie said the party would deliver true democratic dividends to the country as he called on the Federal Government to appoint new (INEC) commissioners to reflect the interest of the political parties.

The party also endorsed the expulsion of three key officials Okey Nwosu, Bab Abdulaahi and Aminu Abubakar.

Human rights activist and chancellor of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Dr. Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo has been picked by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP) as the party's presidential candidate in this year's election.

Nwankwo's candidature which was ratified by the party's NEC meeting of January in Enugu, was only made public in a statement issued by the National Secretary of the party, Mr. Chima Ofong in Enugu yesterday.

The PMP presidential candidate was nominated at the NEC meeting of the party by its Deputy Leader, Professor Edward Oparaji and unanimously ratified.

The statement read: "In keeping with the party's constitution and the love of our people, we the entire membership of MPM have reviewed Dr. Nwankwo's suitability to lead us as our presidential candidate into the upcoming elections.

"Based on the records, we have determined that among all presidential contenders and pretenders, Dr. Nwankwo has the highest level of local and international credibility to wage a sustained fight for freedom from poverty, for good governance, for accommodation and prosperity of the Nigerian people. We believe that of all the presidential aspirants, only Dr. Nwankwo can deliver the Nigerian people from massive suffering, to a life of joy, happiness and hope for the future.

"In fact while most of the aspirants were actively collaborating, aiding and abetting corrupt and oppressive military regimes, Dr. Nwankwo stood tall and courageously for the Nigerian people. For this, he was imprisoned, persecuted and chastised by these oppressive regimes.,"

The PMP scribe noted further that in all Nwankwo's life, he stood for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to renegotiate the Nigerian state and come out with a new people-oriented constitution which recognises resource control based on the principles of derivation.

Nwankwo, he added, was equally committed to free primary and secondary school education, accessible and affordable university education, protection of life and property of all Nigerians anywhere in the world, integrated rural development with clean waters, good roads and telecommunication networks and access to bank loans and other facilities to encourage trade, agriculture and other entrepreneurial endeavours among others.

The PMP secretary said that based on Nwankwo's past, the party found him "worthy and in concert with the purpose for which our great party was found," adding that they decided to ask Nwankwo "to be presidential candidate and by the grace of God, the next president of Nigeria.

On his part, Nwankwo, who has already accepted the offer said: "I am deeply honoured and with this (raising the torch) I have no choice but to lead the way to free our people and return their government to them. I will be the peoples president."

He promised to speak more on the development at the party's National Congress.

The party has also announced the names of its governorship candidates for Abia, Anambra and Enugu states. The flagbearers are the chairman, Aba Zonal Movement (Ukwa-Ngwa), Senator Rowland Nwosu for Abia State, Chairman Cufix Cables Plc and ADSWITCH Plc, Engr. Ajulu Uzodike for Anambra, and Richard Ozobu, an accountant.

According to the official, the candidates emerged after undergoing the necessary consultative and selection processes of the party.

--------- See Reuters commentary

http://odili.net/news/source/2003/jan/10/132.html

LAGOS, Jan 10 (Reuters)

Nigeria's Ojukwu dogged by image of Biafra warlord

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This Day

January 12, 2003

Nwobodo, Nwachukwu Pick Presidential Tickets

Goni, Fari endorsed as running mates

From Chukwudi Nwabuko and Chuks Okocha in Abuja with agency report

Two members of the National Assembly, Sen-ator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo and Senator Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu yesterday emerged as the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) and National Demo-cratic Party (NDP) Presi-dential flagbearers respectively.

Both emerged winners after keenly contested presidential primaries elections in Abuja. They were announced winners on Saturday morning by their party's returning officers for the conventions.

Also the National Chairman of the NDP, Alhaji Habu Fari was yesterday announced the presidential running mate to Senator Nwachukwu, while Alhaji Mohammed Goni was named running mate to Nwobodo.

For Senator Nwobodo, he was announced winner by the chairman of the convention committee, Alhaji Saidu Barda who was a former governor of Katsina in the aborted third republic.

According to Barde, Nwo-bodo scored 1,689 votes out of 2903 votes cast. The former governor of Borno State, Alhaji Mohammed Goni who polled 630 votes, followed him and the former governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife came third with 477 votes.

Nwobodo who announced Alhaji Goni as his running mate also dedicated his victory to the success of democracy. He commended Ezeife for his sportsmanship.

Accordingly, he released his presidential manifesto stating that the improvement of the standard of living of workers, provision of adequate security and taking care of the welfare of the members of security agencies would be his priority should he win the presidential elections come April 19, 2003.

The UNPP Presidential flagbearer also said that his administration would guarantee freedom of expression and make life abundant for all pensioners as well as provide employment for the youths and succour to women.

He called for a united Nigeria through the brotherhood of all saying " I shall not disappoint you. We shall bring smile on the faces of Nigerians. We shall bring food to the table of Nigerians. We shall build and not destroy."

Also speaking Dr. Ezeife commended Nwobodo and his choice of running mate stating the election was devoid of irregularity, unlike what took place in other conventions of other parties.

Senator Nwachukwu of NDP polled 1,219 votes to beat Reverend Chris Okotie who came second with 253 votes. Senator David Dafinone scored 114 votes, while Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu came last with 91 votes.

Nwachukwu, who was declared winner by the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Senator Haruna Abubakar, in his acceptance speech said his victory was for the party.

He commended the other aspirants and urged them to collectively work to effect change at the leadership level.

He said his goal would be to give faith to the youths of Nigeria adding "they can't have faith in Nigeria if we are unable to give them security, if we are unable to put food on the table, if we are unable to educate them, if we are unable as a people and as government to give them understanding and love".

Pointing out that the task ahead would not be easy, Nwachukwu said however that it was not insurmountable adding "we can unitedly and determinedly remove form this country the kind of poor leadership our country has witnessed in the past three and half years".

He promised to use the natural resources in the country to build a virile economy, to give our people hope, and to give the blackman pride, adding 'the time has come to move our country out of the doldrums of poor leadership'.

Also speaking after the result had been known, Senator Dafinone, Okotie and Kalu conceded defeated and promised to cooperate with the winner. They described the election as free and fair, and commended the party leadership for the transparency displayed.

Meanwhile, as the UNPP prepares for the general elections scheduled for April, its National Chairman Saleh Jambo has said it was only God who could determine the winners.

Jambo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that ''it is only God who knows the next president of this country. I pray he gives us the right person who will see us through.''

He said although he wished the UNPP would win the presidential poll, if not it would wait until 2007.

''We are not in a hurry. So long as there is peace and harmony in the country, we will continue to participate, as one day we shall surely win,'' Jambo said.

He said that he was optimistic that the UNPP would capture eight states, pointing out that this was not too bad for a start.

''We want to encroach into the PDP and ANPP and will like other parties to do same, so as to bring about semblance of unity in the country'' he said.

Jambo said that it was only through such ''incursion'' that the winner-takes-all syndrome exhibited in the past by parties would be checkmated.

He said that it was gratifying to note that Nigerians had continued to besiege UNPP's offices, noting that ''it shows the level of acceptability of the party and how bright our chances are at the coming polls.''

The party's Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Isa Mohammed, also told NAN that the just-concluded convention was organised with less than N20 million.

Mohammed, who was the Convention Planning Committee Chairman, said that the event was funded by the party and committed members.

He said that the party was hopeful of winning the presidential election, provided the electorate were not intimidated.

In a related development, four former presidential aspirants on the platform of the NDP, yesterday expressed concern about the general state of affairs in the country and promised to change the situation if voted into power.

Canvassing for votes at the party's national convention in Abuja, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu, one of the aspirants, said his vision was to build a strong, virile, united and secured Nigeria in which democracy prevailed.

"My vision is to build a nation where there is freedom of expression and movement, where human right and rule of law are upheld, where social justice, religious tolerance and moral values, economic well- being, the right of youth to qualitative education and where our women folk are fully integrated,'' he said.

Similarly, Nwachukwu said the pillars of his government would be equity in the treatment of Nigerians, equal access to opportunities for self-development and creation of conducive environment for social peace, among others.

On the economic front, the aspirant said an NDP government would increase Nigeria's GDP growth rate to double-digits and the per capital income to a signal annual level of at least one thousand dollars.

In his own address, another aspirant, Dr Idika Kalu, said to solve Nigeria's myriads of problems required a precise stepwise problem- solving approach, adding that the level of leadership commitment would have to be total and national.

He spoke of the restoration of quality education and medical care for all Nigerians, the revitalisation of agriculture and industry and the restoration of the Nigeria's pride at home and abroad.

Senator Dafinone, in his address, said that if the country was to be moved forward, there should be equality before the law, equity, justice, transparency and accountability.

He promised to provide adequate transport facilities to alleviate the transport problem facing most Nigerians especially the workers.

Also addressing the delegates, another aspirant, Rev. Chris Okotie, who asked the delegates not to clap for him, urged them to elect the person who would deliver, saying that Nigeria's problem had been that of trust.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the convention committee, Senator Haruna Abubakar, who is the party's gubernatorial candidate for Nasarawa State, claimed that the present administration in the country had not done much for Nigerians.

He called on party members to effect a positive change in the country.

"There can only be achievement if as members of our party we show good example to other parties by continuing to be disciplined,'' Abubakar said.

He said NDP stood for peace, equity and progress and that it advocated for generational change for the unity, peace and progress of the country.

"In this regard, I call on all our leaders, members of our party and Nigerians at large to support us and ensure that by the special grace of God we achieve that target,'' the chairman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting to elect the party's presidential candidate is expected to begin shortly.