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Uncertainty in Nigeria over Presidential Elections
April 18, 2007 |  Printer Friendly
After reports of electoral fraud, voter intimidation, and violence plagued last weekend’s state elections, opposition parties in Nigeria are calling for a postponement of the upcoming presidential elections. The opposition front, which includes leading presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Muhammadu Buhari, also called for the dissolution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which they accuse of being controlled by current President Olusegun Obasanjo. In addition to the widespread political unrest, the situation in Nigeria is growing increasingly unstable as Islamist militants have begun clashing with the Nigerian army and police forces after a radical Islamic cleric was killed last Friday.
Results published by the INEC has Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claiming victory in 30 of the 36 state contests; however, many people are protesting the validity of those results and are challenging the fairness of the upcoming presidential election. According to BBC News, “18 parties also threatened to boycott the polls unless several of their conditions were met. Their demands include the annulment of last weekend’s state polls described by the opposition as a ‘sham’, and the disbanding of the electoral commission.” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6566429.stm)
The political situation in Nigeria leading up to presidential elections, scheduled for April 21st, has been tenuous; current Vice President Atiku Abubakar was only allowed to enter the presidential race on Monday after the Nigerian Supreme Court ruled that INEC “had acted illegally by disqualifying Abubakar, arch-rival of [the] outgoing President.” (http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1746394520070417?feedType=RSS) Abubkar supporters are also asking for a postponement of the election in order to ensure he is represented on the ballots, but authorities are refusing.
Although talks have taken place between opposition groups and the PDP, it is unclear how, if at all, the presidential contests will be postponned. Stay tuned to CCD’s ongoing coverage of events in Nigeria.
Additional Sources:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200704180103.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6566841.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6554461.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6566429.stm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-04-15-voa26.cfm
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1746394520070417?feedType=RSS
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