Lagos - Pressure is growing on Nigerian military ruler Gen Sani Abacha (54) to state his political intentions clearly, politicians and newspapers said yesterday.
After a stormy eight-hour meeting in the capital, Abuja, on Tuesday, leaders of five legal political parties said they would ask to see Gen Abacha within 24 hours, but declined to say what they wanted to discuss.
However, sources close to the talks said the main concern was whether the general would stand for the presidency of the oil-producing West African country in elections he has decreed for August 1st. "The parties decided that they want Abacha to clear the issue of whether he is contesting or not," said one politician.
Gen Abacha has done nothing to discourage campaigns on his behalf from all corners of the country of 104 million people. But diplomatic and political sources say it is far from clear that he has made a final decision to run.