Niger’s opposition coalition on Tuesday said its candidate Hama Amadou would not contest the run-off election set for March 20, increasing chances of President Mahamadou Issoufou’s victory in the poll.
Amadou has been in prison since November on charges of baby trafficking. He has maintaind his innocence saying he is just a victim of political repression.
The government however denies any wrongdoing and maintains that it follows the law.
“The Coalition for an Alternative has decided to suspend its participation in the electoral process and asks its representatives to withdraw from the electoral commission,” it said in a statement.
The coalition denounced Amadou’s detention and justified its decision to withdraw from the run-off election by saying the constitutional court had not followed correct procedures in announcing definitive first-round results on Tuesday and has also not proven its independence.
The coalition, which unites about 20 political parties including Amadou’s MODEN, also asked its deputies to cease activities at the National Assembly.
Issoufou fell just short of outright victory in the first round on Feb. 21 and was expected to win the run-off as several smaller parties have said they will support him.
