GOVERMENT PLAN TO PROCEED WITH PARLIMENTARY ELECTIONS

The Nigerian government has indicated that it will hold parliamentary elections on 20 October 2009 despite increasing pressure from international groups for a postponement and a planned opposition boycott of the polls. The Economic Community of West African States has also instituted limited sanctions on the country due to the ongoing political crisis stemming for the recent successful constitutional referendum that extended incumbent President Mamadou Tandja’s term in office.