Political Situation in Nigeria

It was a pity that the democracy has been raped in the last concluded election in my country(Nigeria). The incumbent party of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has shown that the sit of power must remain with them. This has gone a long to justify what President Olushegu Obasonjo said during one of their campaign ralies that the election is do or die affiar and that power must not change hand. This comment of the president attracted a lot of attention from well meaning Nigerians including religious clerics. The head of Muslims in Nigeria warned the president that the comment carries a lot of meaning and shows that the election has been conluded before the electrotate cast their votes.

There has been calculated attempt by PDP to scuttle the election. The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) the body that has the responsibility of organizing a free and fair election was working for the incumbent government of PDP. No doubt that the INEC Chairman Prof Murice Iwu took it upon himself to disqualify a lot of opposition canditiates who pose threats to the PDP candidates. During the governorship elections there was an open rigging of the election, even the foreign observers decleared that the election was not free and fair.

Last Saturday 21st April, 2007 was the presidential and federal house respresentatives election. It was full of irregularities. In many wards there was no election, the ballot box was hijacked by touts contracted by PDP members. Even before the election the Vice President Atiku Abubakar who decamped to opposition party Action Congress (AC) because he lost the presidential ticket to run under PDP was harrased and disqualified by INEC to run for the presidential election under the umberalla of Action Party.

But he was cleared by the court only five days to the election. The PDP government has failed Nigerians since they came to power in the last eight years. The poverty level in the country has gotten to the lowest level and there has been so much corruption and injustice.

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC)which was set up by the Obasonjo government was a tool to harrase the oppostion members and anybody that dare to challange his government. But the PDP members are looting the treasury of the state for their personal gratification without any remorse and fear. This is injustice.

The president and his cronies has been stealing from the public coffers without looking back. As the saying a native saying goes he who does not know that he will become a titled chief and accidentally becomes one, if he wants to wear his title rope wears it upto his knees instead of the ankle.