The much anticipated general elections in Nigeria is here. It is a staggered election with a 3 week span. Most people have concluded that this is a “make or mar” elections for Nigeria, as the gubernatorial, state and federal parliamentary elections climaxing with the presidential elections are billed to take place within this 3 week period. Coming on the heels of the much disputed and derided 2007 general elections, it is no surprise that this election has generated so much interest locally and internationally as most Nigerians felt short changed by the 2007 general elections which most people refer to as an electoral heist.
The build up to the 2011 general elections has generated a lot of controversy and violence across the length and breadth of Nigeria. This may not be totally surprising as the new head of the electoral body in Nigeria, Attahiru Jega, has consistently sought to make the electoral process as credible as possible much to the chagrin of the ruling party which has promised to rule for the next 60yrs. The opposition also, though divided and lacking in concrete strategy are also determined to protect their political turf even if they are not so sure of winning at the federal level, while the people and electorate seem ready to defend their votes at all cost. The culmination of all these divergent tendencies has resulted in an unprecedented level of violence and tension across the land in the build up to the elections.
Can Nigeria get it right this time around? Only time can tell.
1 comment
Comments are closed.