Caption:
“The Nigerian government should ensure that these elections mark a sharp departure from the violence and corruption that has marred the political system. But it seems plain that this April, Nigerian voters will again face the threat of violence, intimidation and fraud…”
“If the April polls are badly flawed, the international community must not remain silent as it did after the rigging of Nigeria’s 2003 elections…Nigeria’s regional and international partners need to speak up about Nigeria’s election if they hope to maintain their credibility as advocates of democratic governance in Africa.”
From: Peter Takirambudde, Africa director at Human Rights Watch
When: April 4, 2007
Source: Human rights News- Nigeria: Elections Threatened by Violence and Abuse of Power
What Mr. Takirambudde predicted has happened.
Via a comment, Blogger Black River Eagle asks a question that brings to fore the latter part of Peter’s statement:
“Where is President Jimmy “jemmah†Carter and why isn’t he and other high-profile world figures not speaking out strongly against the fraud and intimidation taking place down in Nigeria”?
Don, another Blogger commenting, provides an answer:
“Carter is in a bit of a bind, isn’t he? His secretary of the United Nations, Andrew Young, is in bed with Olusegun Obasanjo and the oligarchs of the People’s Democratic Party. So Carter cannot really promote free elections for Nigeria at the expense of a guaranteed result that will insure political stability and corporate growth for Young’s clients. Read the sleazy connection between Young and Obasanjo
Don opines:
“I fear that foreign governments are more interested in the appearance of a “stable†transition that maintains the PDP grip on the government than in real democratic process.”
Time will tell is there is any validity in this statement. For me I think there is!
Haba!
Give the man a break, he is 82 for crying out loud.
Why are there no other high profile people schooled in these observer abilities to review these elections?
Besides, you only have to go to INEC’s site on election observers so see that there is no material for them first and the address he gave when meeting them was more to challenge their status than help them.
I would not be surprised if observers were not frustrated by INEC logistics, and the local chieftains like Gowon were busy visiting the Central Depot in Abuja rather than the regions to ascertain INEC preparedness.
April 18, 2007 at 1:19 am
O.K., maybe I can cut President Carter some slack being that he is 82 and all and can’t get around too good these days, but what about the rest of the gang down at the Carter Center in Atlanta?
I have yet to hear from any world leader, East or West, say that the conduct of these elections are disturbing and that there is at least a need for an independent investigation into fraud and voter intimidation for the parliamentary and gubenatorial polls last weekend.
On second thought, scratch the world leaders from the “East” because they’re the ones who are probably providing additional funding and contract kickback guarantees to certain key political and business figures that fuel the present fraud and corruption.
Like a certain government envoy said recently during his whirlwind tour of Africa in search of fresh meat (trade), “Bizness iz Bizness you know”. For those who were so eager to kowtow to Beijing & Co. thinking that $$$$ fall from heaven and democracy follows prosperity vs. the other way around… do I need to say it? Non?
Here is an excerpt from the latest on my humble series of posts about the 2007 Nigerian elections. I thought that I would lift the level of the discussion a bit to more rarified air where the fuel burns leaner and the eagles of justice fly higher and with great speed.
“For policymakers everywhere, Nigeria should be the central African question. No country’s fate is so decisive for the continent. No other country across a range of issues has the power so thoroughly to shape outcomes elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. If Nigeria works well, so might Africa. If the democratic experiment in Nigeria stalls, and development and governance stagnate, the rest of Africa suffers and loses hope. This report carefully examines Nigeria’s abundant advances since 1999, discusses some of the constraints on further progress, and recommends a range of policy priorities for Abuja, Washington, Brussels, and London in 2007 and thereafter.”
Check it out Imnakoya, there’s plenty of great information in that post for anyone who is seriously interested in the affairs and future of Nigeria.
April 20, 2007 at 11:57 am
The lack luster response from Washington, London and other super powers following the election debacle is troubling. It makes me wonder if these powers are deeply concerned to see meaningful democratic changes in the country. I’m also deeply disappointed in all Nigerian former heads of state for their silence on the botched elections. Maybe the gravity of the electoral fraud was too over-whelming for them to offer meaningful comments.
However, it is encouraging to read of the presence in Nigeria of Madeline Albright, the former U.S Secretary of State, and some international observers. Not that I’m expecting any upset or an impressive turn-out during the presidential elections, it is remarkable that the old lady could find the energy and time to check out things for herself.
There is no ambiguity on how important it is for Nigeria to get her acts right. The stake is high and the consequences too dear if the country continues to flip-flop as the world saw during the election weekend and weeks prior.
After all said and done, the extent of our successes, or failures, will be determined by sincerity of the Nigerian political players – not the western superpowers – and the depth of commitment of federal government.
The people have spoken unlike never before, they yearn for a change, and they voted in large numbers, but somehow, those that should listen have suddenly turned deaf and blind!
April 20, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Imnakoya, please answer, I would like to converse with you. It does not concern politics. You may also write on Orangeseed@juno.com
April 26, 2007 at 9:15 am