Nigerian tycoon Dahiru Mangal plays king-maker as he backs Issoufou's heir Bazoum

摘要

Nigerian business magnate Alhaji DahiruMangal made a very public intervention lastmonth in the campaign of the ruling PartiNigerien pour la Democratie et leSocialisme's presidential election favourite,Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum is due to faceformer head of state Mahamane Ousmane(1993-1996) in the second round of votingon 20 February. In mid-December, however,just a few days before the first round on 27December, a hundred or so vehicles, theirdoors festooned with portraits of Bazoum,started appearing at the latter's electionrallies at the instigation of the Nigeriantycoon. On 6 January, moreover, as Bazoumwas struggling to gather fresh support forthe second round to supplement the 39% ofvotes he won in the first, Mangal went toNiamey in person to use his influence withdefeated first round candidates like AlbadeAbouba, who got 7% of votes in the firstround, calling on them clearly to supportBazoum in the runoff.