NIGERIAN VICE-PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR SET UP A MEDIA HEADQUARTERS FOR HIS 2007 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ON WEDNESDAY AND STAKED HIS CLAIM TO RUN AS THE RULING PARTY'S CANDIDATE. THE MOVE INTENSIFIES A BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) A WEEK AFTER THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEFEATED A BID TO KEEP PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO IN POWER FOR A THIRD TERM, REUTERS REPORTED. "I AM GOING TO RUN AS A PDP CANDIDATE," SAID ABUBAKAR, A MAJOR OPPONENT OF OBASANJO'S THIRD TERM CAMPAIGN, AFTER CUTTING A RIBBON ON THE NEW HEADQUARTERS IN A HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT IN THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL, ABUJA, ACCORDING TO REUTERS. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LAST WEEK REJECTED AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED OBASANJO TO RUN IN ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, THROWING THE POLITICAL SCENE IN AFRICA'S TOP OIL PRODUCER INTO A STATE OF FLUX, REUTERS SAID. --MORE
