NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO ON THURSDAY ACCEPTED THE VERDICT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RULING OUT AN EXTENSION OF HIS TENURE AND CALLED ON THE RULING PARTY TO PREPARE FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, ACCORDING TO REUTERS. IN A SPEECH TO THE RULING PARTY, OBASANJO BLAMED THE MEDIA -- WHICH HAD OPPOSED THE CAMPAIGN TO GIVE HIM A THIRD TERM -- FOR DEEPENING DIVISIONS IN AFRICA'S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY, AND CONDEMNED BOTH SIDES FOR RESORTING TO BRIBERY AND BLACKMAIL. "AS A POLITICAL PARTY, WE SHOULD ACCEPT THE VERDICT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY," OBASANJO TOLD THE PARTY'S TOP BRASS AT AN EMERGENCY MEETING IN THE CAPITAL. "ON THE BASIS OF THE CONSTITUTION IN HAND, WE MUST START TO PLAN FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR."
