Fire strikes at ruling party headquarters in Nigeria, only months before presidential election

Nigeria: Fire strikes ruling party headquarters

ABUJA, Nigeria — Officials say a fire broke out at the headquarters of Nigeria’s ruling party, just months before a presidential election in the West African nation.

Officials say the fire started Saturday at the three-story building used by the People’s Democratic Party in Abuja, the capital. The fire burned documents and furniture around the building’s conference room. No one was injured.

Party spokesman Rufai Ahmed Alkali said a faulty air conditioner caused the blaze.

The People’s Democratic Party has held the presidency since Nigeria embraced democracy in 1999 after a string of military dictatorships and coups. Its operatives wield the political muscle necessary to manipulate the country’s unruly and corrupt electoral system.