Nigerian VP's Candidacy Uncertain

Supporters of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar celebrate outside the Federal High court in Abuja, Nigeria, Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Two courts offered competing rulings Tuesday on the disqualification of a leading opposition politician's candidacy for president, setting up a legal showdown just weeks before an election meant to solidify civilian rule in the country. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) (Sunday Alamba - AP)

ABUJA, Nigeria -- Two courts issued competing rulings Tuesday on the disqualification of a leading opposition politician's candidacy for president, setting up a legal showdown just weeks before an election meant to solidify civilian rule in the country.

The electoral commission barred Vice President Atiku Abubakar from running in the April 21 vote last month after an executive board of inquiry arranged by his political foe, President Olusegun Obasanjo, said he improperly handled state funds.

Both the electoral commission and Abubakar's camp said they would appeal Tuesday's separate court rulings, which will now have to be reconciled by the country's Supreme Court.

An appellate court in the capital, Abuja, overturned a lower-court ruling supporting Abubakar's argument that the commission lacks the powers to screen candidates and determine their worthiness to hold office.

Separately, Judge Tijjani Abubakar of the lower Federal Court ruled in Abubakar's favor, saying the executive panel was illegally arranged.

Abubakar told reporters he would respect the final court judgment, telling reporters that even if his disqualification is upheld "if that is the decision of the courts, we will accept that."

However, he lambasted the electoral commission, saying that under its supervision "no free or fair elections" could be held in Nigeria.

Ruling party officials were not immediately reachable for comment.

The squabble has sent political tensions soaring in recent weeks, giving rise to fears that violence could erupt as election day approaches in Africa's most populous nation. The country of 140 million is also the continent's biggest petroleum producer.

Under electoral rules, candidates can only be disqualified if found guilty of a crime in a court of law or by an executive panel.

The electoral commission approved two dozen other candidates for the vote, which is meant to set up the first-ever transfer of power from one elected president to another in Nigeria's coup-ridden 47-year history since independence from Britain.

Abubakar and Obasanjo fell out publicly last year after the president's supporters tried to amend the constitution and allow Obasanjo a third term _ a drive that Abubakar, the heir apparent, publicly opposed.