40 prominent Nigerian politicians to be barred from 2011 elections

40 prominent Nigerian politicians to be barred from 2011 elections

2010-10-26 08:28:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABUJA, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least forty prominent Nigerian politicians will be barred along 60 others from contesting for any position in the 2011 elections, AfricaNews reported on Monday.

The list of 100 people was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria. The list contains former governors, former and serving ministers, ex-bank chiefs, top government officials and some foreign and Nigerian businessmen.

The EFCC has already sent the list to several political parties in Nigeria, among those the People's Democratic Party (PDP) which has among its ranks many of the names in the list. The EFCC urges parties not to give them any spot in the upcoming 2011 polls.

Among those on the list is former Jigawa State Governor Sen. Saminu Turaki, former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu who is contesting for president in 2011, ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and the daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.

In addition, former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is toying with contesting for the same office next year, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who is running for governorship in Osun State, are also listed.

The list comprises of 100 individuals who are facing charges of corruption in various courts nationwide. EFCC alleged that some of the politicians were deliberately stalling their cases in court so that the cases would still be running during the 2011 polls.

The commission also remarked that there were many politicians who are members of the PDP and face corruption charges, but were hiding under the influence of the ruling party to halt the cases against them.

The list was made public in order to move against any of them with political ambition. The EFCC said it is confident that the parties will not give the listed politicians any spot for a position at the upcoming elections.

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