One of Nigeria's three political parties, the Alliance for Democracy, says it has begun talks with the All People's Party on forming an alliance to contest the presidential elections, due in February.

A senior official of the pro-Abiola Alliance for Democracy, Tunji Adebiyi, told the BBC that they and the pro-Abacha, All People's Party, were considering fielding a joint candidate for the elections.

Mr Adebiyi said both parties would benefit from an alliance, because of their strength in different areas.