Nigeria: The Post-Election Protest that Never Was
May 5th, 2007 | Published in Activism, Democracy, Governance, Human Rights, Nigeria, elections | 9 Comments
IRIN: Response to flawed elections more a whimper than a bang.
I can’t blame my Nigerian brethren - protests are typically subdued through the use of overwhelming force. This is perhaps one strategy the Nigerian security forces have perfected over the years. So the people have realized that getting killed or maimed for Nigeria isn’t worth it.
I have always questioned the apathy of the Nigerian people to the democratic process, but just when they decided to troop out to vote last month, they discovered that it’s all for a worthless cause - their votes didn’t mean jack - at least in my home state of Ondo. Not only was their votes discounted, several people were arrested for sundry offenses. Even my younger brother was arrested for having the guts to speak against the atrocities he saw during the presidential elections. He was locked up and given some “VIP treatmentâ€. While in detention he met several detainees that have been locked up for days because they couldn’t afford to hire attorneys to process their release.
This is the reality on ground, it is no that Nigerians chose to be passive, far from that: They have been subdued, unfortunately, into a whimpering lot!
May 5th, 2007 at 11:24 am (#)
Right. So what do we do? Sit back r fight harder. Its not gonna be handed to us on a platter. I know its easy to talk about freedom from afar.
May 6th, 2007 at 6:08 am (#)
Nigerians are not as yet subdued into a whimpering lot. Nigerians still believe that bloodshed and revolution is not the only resolution to the Nigerian problem. But then how long for? The cry for freedom is made from sterner stuff. Things could still change but with God and not man in control, the cry for fredom continues and the people of my home state ONDO will not be coerced and bullied into submission to lies and daylight robbery. The rightfully elected Governor OLUSEGUN MIMIKO has called for calm and peace while the judiciary takes over the case for justice and truth. If this is not allowed to prevail, hell will be let loose. The result of the appeal is anxiously awaited. MIMIKO has done the right thing. The security forces with their force and reign of terror have not won - no not yet. IROKO GOD WILL HAND BACK WHAT WAS TAKEN FROM YOU -THE PEOPLE’S VOTES.
May 6th, 2007 at 8:09 am (#)
Protests do not have to be violent and bloody, particularly in a place like Nigeria. It simply doesn’t work. What Nigerians need to perfect is the act of non-violent civil disobedience. Being totally quiet will not get anything done. For the courts, I have my hopes and fears as well. For the several cases of electoral fraud to stand in court, the aggrieved parties must show a preponderance of evidence - were they able to collect relevant evidence of abuse during and after the elections?
May 6th, 2007 at 10:49 am (#)
Confessions are pouring in from relevant quarters, prethumbed ballot papers are being discovered, results so far, before the Abuja (not Ondo state) announcement show how far Dr Mimiko was winning before the results were hijjaked, irregularities acknowledged by Ondo state former INEC commissioner, Deputy Governor arrested with ballot boxes, PDP winning with declared results even where they did not field a candidate , sorry Imnakoya, I do not reside in Nigeria but gathered all these reading the news and comments from creditable quarters and i believe there is more and would be more body of evidence to come. Do we have enough relevant evidence of abuse during and after the election? What do you think? Dont forget the do or die announcement of Mr Gorrila unit’s Dad.
May 6th, 2007 at 12:59 pm (#)
great comment omotaylor…wow.
May 6th, 2007 at 4:44 pm (#)
Omotaylor - I do not doubt all you wrote - and even more happened during the elections. However, in the absence of hard evidence that can be used in the court, the fraudsters will go free.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:00 am (#)
Imnakoya, haba I like you pass all these pessimism now. No pour cold warrer on me feeings man. Yoruba adage say “na everday for the thief but one day for the owner”. My man please, this time, the fraudsters will not go free. Am happy you said you follow our writings including mine, under my full name, in the other link. This particular battle will be fought to the end and have a happy ending. There are enough hard evidences to show and the more important thing is that many of the electorates are ready to sing like a bird and sting like bees. Dont conclude yet Imnakoya, have faith and just tarry a little longer. Optimistically yours. By the way this is the best way to be.
May 7th, 2007 at 4:48 pm (#)
I’m just wearing the cap of a devil’s advocate; I’m not a pessimist, in fact I want to see these Ondo fraudsters evicted and shamed. That’s my wish, but as much as you, I, and the majority of Ondo state indigenes desire this, we can’t be naive in the ways we deal with these con-men. As you can see in my postings, I’m for Dr. Mimiko - and maybe more than you realize. He’s a good man whose leadership capabilities are becoming rarer in present day Nigeria; Ondo state and Nigeria will be better off with his like in power.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:57 am (#)
Thank God and thank you Imanakoya, I have my faith in you wholly restored. I feel brighter and happier and I wish we remain positive, challenging and fight on for justice and liberation from political shackles. MIMIKO WILL REGAIN HIS MANDATE. It is the wish of the people and the will of God. No Shakkinggggggggggggg. Forwards ever as alluta continua.