Reply #40: Panel upholds presidential election's result in Nigeria [View All]

[Mnemosyne]

Panel upholds presidential election's result in Nigeria

By Edward Harris
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 10:37:29 PM MST

ABUJA, Nigeria — A Nigerian election tribunal sided Tuesday with the president in a challenge of the vote that brought him to power last year and that opposition leaders say was tainted by fraud.

The two opposition leaders vowed to appeal — sticking to a legal, peaceful route that is perhaps a sign of the African nation's maturing democracy in contrast to its past and violence that followed Kenya's disputed presidential election.

In a judgment delivered over three hours to a packed, sweltering courtroom, the tribunal said the petitions by former strongman Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lacked evidence that fraud had materially affected the outcome of the April 21 vote.

President Umaru Yar'Adua welcomed the decision.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8371304?source=rss