Nigerian VP spurns ruling party

Atiku Abubakar helped thwart a third term for President Obasanjo

Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will not contest April's presidential election on its platform.

The submission of PDP nomination forms officially closed on Tuesday and Mr Abubakar was not among the 30 aspirants who met the deadline.

"Anybody going in after that is breaking the law," the party's national deputy chairman, Olabode George said.

The PDP suspended Mr Abubakar after he was accused of corruption.

The vice-president headed to court to challenge his suspension.

The court is due to rule on the case on Friday even though the decision of the court will not change the party's position.

Mr Abubakar late last month in Abuja publicly declared his intention to run in the 2007 presidential election but did not say under which political platform.

Analysts believe Mr Abubakar will stand for the opposition Action Congress (AC) which is led by some of his closest political allies.

Mr Abubakar fell out with Mr Obasanjo over the president's thwarted plan to amend the constitution and run for a third term - which was blocked.

The vice-president denies allegations he diverted $125m into personal business interests.