Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has told leaders in the ruling People's Democratic Party he will seek the party's nomination in the upcoming presidential election.

Nigerian media report Mr. Jonathan declared his intention Tuesday night at a closed-door meeting of state governors.  Mr. Jonathan told the governors he plans to make a public announcement on September 18.

Sources from the meeting said no one raised a protest about the president's disclosure.  However, not all governors from the ruling party attended the meeting, which comes near the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Mr. Jonathan's possible candidacy is controversial.  A Christian from Nigeria's south, he took office in May after the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua, who was a Muslim from the north.