A group of two-hundred academics from universities in northern Nigeria have urged the military leader, General Sani Abacha, not to stand in the presidential elections scheduled for later this year.

General Abacha, who comes from the mainly-Muslim north, has not indicated whether he intends to stand in the elections, but he has been nominated as the sole candidate by all five legal political parties.

The academics said that his continuation in office would complicate the country's political crisis and that any election involving him would not be seen as free and fair.

They also called for the unconditional release of political prisoners and for the military government to hold a dialogue with organised political groups.