His opposition coalition has announced its withdrawal from the presidential election run-off of March 20.
Uncertainty looms over the presidential election run-off in Niger on March 20, 2016 that is supposed to pit incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou against opposition candidate, Hama Amadou. The opposition candidate who scored 17.7 percent against 48.4 percent for incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou is still in prison since November 2015 on charges relating to baby-trafficking.
The coalition of 20 opposition parties that support the candidature of Hama Amadou that also include his party, MODEN, on Tuesday, March 8 announced that its candidate would not contest in the presidential election run-off. The opposition coalition spokesman, Seini Oumarou in a statement said, "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,” Voice of America quoted. He further said the decision was because of the “absence of official results from the first round… and the unfair treatment between the two candidates.” The statement also said Hama Amadou was, "unfairly deprived of his freedom in violation of international standards of free, fair and democratic elections.”
The coalition further denounced Amadou's detention and justified its decision to withdraw by saying the Constitutional Court had not followed procedure when it announced definitive first-round results Tuesday and had also not proven its independence. The coalition has also asked its deputies to cease activities at the National Assembly. They complained that the duration of the second-round campaign has been cut from 21 to 10 days in violation of the constitution.
A cabinet statement read on state television late on Monday said the Constitutional Court was holding back the definitive first-round results. Government said the second round of the presidential election would go ahead. News 24 quoted Interior Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou as saying that, "There will be elections. The process is ongoing.” Considering the decision of the opposition coalition he said, "There is no embarrassment. Actually, it does not surprise us. The main significant candidates rallied to Mr Issoufou. Seeing their defeat, the opponents withdrew to avoid being beaten."
