Nigerian Presidential Elections

Presidential Elections 2011

      Well I am sure that most of you are aware tomorrow (now today)will be elections for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  As you also know elections in Nigeria (and sub-Saharan Africa) are typically anything but routine.  Nigeria’s history with respect to elections has been marred by violence, corruption, and massive vote rigging.  In fact, probably the only presidential election that has been considered free and fair in Nigeria was back in 1993.  This being the case, lets take a trip back in time and see what happened then….

      The year is 1993 and Nigerians are anxiously waiting to get to the polls to vote for a new president.  It had been 8 years under General Ibrahim Babangida’s military rule and the world was weary of the International Bad Boy IBB.  There were two main contenders vying for president, M.K.O Abiola a southern Muslim of the Social Democrat Party and Bashir Tofa a northern Muslim of the National Republican Convention.  The circumstances are unique, the candidates are split north/south, but they are both Muslim, which has its own implications in Nigerian politics.  Both are notable businessmen or Ogas, but in the end Abiola wins soundly over Tofa with nearly 59% of the vote including the majority of votes from Tofa’s home state of Kano.

Familiar campaign slogan!

      Now the elections were lauded as free and fair by the international community, which probably caught many off guard considering IBB was at the helm.  Abiola was set to take the reigns, only to be frustrated and eventually hauled off to prison (that’s the bad boy we know).  Initially the results of the election were not released and finally annulled by IBB.  Abiola, however, didn’t give up in 1994 he declared himself president and was quickly rewarded with a jail cell.  I believe he spent 4 to 5 years in prison as president elect, and never relinquished this title, carrying it to his death. 

Bashir Tofa

Ibrahim Babangida (IBB)

      This is a sad end to what is considered Nigeria’s only free and fair presidential elections, only its not the end.  Through the chaos that swept the country as a result of these events IBB was swept aside by a coup d’etat and the late great (sarcasm) Sani Abacha came into power until his death in 1998 (amazing what this guy did in 5 years…sad really).  This is the outcome of that election.

Sani Abacha

      Since Abacha, Nigeria has had three other presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Ardua, and the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.  Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency began only last summer as he stepped up from vice-president after Yar’Ardua’s death.  All of these president’s belong to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).  I spoke of some of the dealings with this party in early posts.

      Currently there are three main contenders for tomorrow’s election.  The incumbent Goodluck Jonathan (PDP), Muhammadu Buhari (Congress for Progessive Change), and Nuhu Ribadu (Action Congress of Nigeria ACN) are the choices for Nigerians. The contenders both have notable backgrounds.  Buhari is a former military head of state that ruled from ’83 – ’85 when he was ousted by a coup by IBB.  Ribadu was the former head of the EFCC, which I can’t remember what the acronym stands for now, but is the anti-corruption agency of the government (not sure how effective this agency is?).  There are actually a number of other candidates, but they are not expected to really show up in the tallies.  The full list follows (I love some of the party names Fresh Democratic Party…I think it was founded by Grand Master Flash). 

President Goodluck Jonathan (Peoples Democratic Party); 
Muhammadu Buhari (Congress for Progressive Change);
Nuhu Ribadu (Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN);
Pat Utomi (Social Democratic Mega Party);
Dele Momodu (National Conscience Party);
Ibrahim Shekarau (All Nigeria Peoples Party); (I believe our buddy Bashir Tofa is also on this ticket)
Akpona Solomon (National Majority Democratic Party);
Chris Nwaokobia (Liberal Democratic Party);
Chris Okotie (Fresh Democratic Party);
Ebiti Ndok (United National Party for Development).
Iheanyichukwu Nnaji (Better Nigeria Progressive Party);
John Dara (National Transformation Party);
Mahmud Waziri (People for Democratic Change)
Nwadike Chikezie (Peoples Mandate Party)
Peter Nwangwu (African Democratic Congress);
Rasheed Shitta-Bey (Mega Progressive Peoples Party)
Yahaya Ndu (African Renaissance Party);
and Ambrose Awuru (Hope Democratic Party).

Muhammadu Buhari and one of his posters

            To be be honest, it is hard to believe that anyone will really make a showing against Jonathan (as my friend noted he belongs to the PDP, Pre-Determined President).  Current polls show him wrapping up nearly 60% of the vote while his nearest rival, Buhari, is expected to get somewhere in the realm of 25%.  The only hope for Buhari is for a run-off, which would happen if Jonathan doesn’t get 25% of the vote in at least 2/3s of the countries 36 states.  If this happens, things could get interesting with the run-off.  The two leading challengers were set to increase the likelihood of this during talks this week to unite the two parties (CPC and CAN) behind Buhari.  However, talks broke down and each party is still backing its own candidate.  Most cite Buhari’s ego and uncompromising ways as the cause for failure of this union. 

 

            So I sit here stuck in our house as movement is restricted as elections take place.  Watching the news it appears that things are going smoothly save some violence in the usual places.  Though there have been some hiccups with the earlier National Assembly elections, Nigerians seem to be confident that these elections will be free and fair.  It is something the country needs.  I feel that the world is skeptical and are simply waiting for another uprising on the continent, another Cote d’Ivoire.  I don’t think this is going to happen.  I believe Nigeria, for all its problems, will get this right (mostly).  I further believe that Nigerians should be proud of this and of their example to the region and the world.  My hope is that a sound election will begin to lift the cloud of apathy that sits thick upon this country, which would be a step for this country towards realizing its potential.  (I also hope I am not being naive). 

        As a side note, I hope that this was interesting for you to read, but I must say it does not compare to sitting and talking with Nigerians about their politics and elections.  There are so many stories behind the stories it is no wonder that this is a country that produces scads of epic soap operas.  Such intrigue!  The stories are interesting and endless, but can leave you not knowing how you feel about a particular candidate or party.  I had such an opportunity last night as I sat with my friend Sesugh discussing such matters.  I’d love to retell our conversation, but that won’t do.  You need to speak with a Nigerian! 

Happy St. Patricks Day and Mango Madness

We have been enjoying mangoes that are about the size of Addie's head this month.  The girls love them!

For St. Pat's Day we had green pizza and green beer...the girls thought it was so exciting that the leprechaun turned the pizza dough green.   Happy Green Day!

Village School

I spent the morning at a local village school doing art and reading with the children.  Although they didn't understand much English, we were able to communicate through art and pictures in the books.

This little girl is about Addie's age.  I just can't help taking pictures of the children and their beautiful faces.  Some of the graduate students that will be coming in May for their field study will visit this school and teach a few lessons.

We had to postpone our trip to Yankari this weekend as a result of recent violence in the area.  There have been some political and religious tensions, as the April elections begin to get closer.
So, instead we will stay close to home and try to withstand the 110 degrees heat for a swim in the pool.  TGIF!  Love to all, Jess

Sunday in the village

We spent today in a nearby village.  Harvey and I are going to help with a project to raise money for a borehole to be dug.  This will allow them to be able to have clean water instead of walking 5km every day to get water.  We went today to get water samples and survey the land.  The girls and I had fun with the children in the village.  They showed us their school and we played in the dirt with some of the young students.  Emma taught them how to play duck, duck, goose as well.

      This little girl showed us how she can write 1,2, 3 in the sand.

This is Emma playing duck, duck, goose with the children outside of their school house.  The rocks are where the children stand for class assembly.

 Inside of their one room school house.

These are the types of days when we feel lucky to be in Africa having these experiences.
Love to all, Jess

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Heart Day!

To celebrate Valentines Day, the girls made cards for their friends.  I had traveled to Abuja the week before and found mac and cheese from the U.S.  Together with that and candy from LaLa, the girls were very happy, as you can see from the picture above.  

We all talked about what we loved most in the world.  Emma made my heart melt when she said that she loves our family and that she loves how mommy and daddy make everything special.  She ended her sweet sentiment by saying she wishes we were all fairies.  Addie repeated everything Emma said.  

They are so precious and reminded us of how special it is to have a family so full of love.

Sending love, hearts, and chocolate bliss, Jess

Something Fishy

Hi All, 

  This will be a quick post, something to let you all know that we are doing well here in Yola.  This semester is in full swing, so it means that we are all quite busy.  Classes for me are going well and Jess is doing great juggling her many jobs.  Speaking of classes a few weeks back I took my Principles of Ecology class out for some aquatic ecology along the Benue River.

The Benue System is on the right hand side and is part of the greater  Niger River. 

It was a hot field trip, but it was great.  We sampled two sites for fish and gathered some water samples.  Here are some of the fish:

These are all catfishes, I believe they are all Synodontis sp. , but in the first photo the nearest fish may be a Chrysoichthys.  I am impressed with the diverstiy of catfish.

This in a Mormyrus sp. often referred to as one of the elephant fishes.   I did not dissect this specimen, but it is supposed to have an enlarged portion of its brain that may be used for a sort of electrosensing prey in the murky waters which it inhabits

This is a good ol' fashioned Tilapia.  I don't want to go out on a limb and ID it because I am sure someone  will correct...ok I'll try Tilapia zilli?

Here is one of our sampling techniques, it would be interesting to do a catch per unit effort for this.  I'm sure it low for the site we were at.

To understand the feat this gentleman just performed you need to understand how "Tippy" these boats are. 

Anywho, its fun to share some of the experience.  On another quick note, Google Earth recently updated its imagery for Yola.  

Our House

AUN Campus

The Mighty Benue

More later! Hope all well...Cheers!

Weekend Art and Dress Up

Hi all,
I know Harv is the usual blogger these days, but I wanted to put a few pictures up of the girls enjoying their weekend.

We spend many Saturdays creating art for our "art wall" in the living room.  The girls are enjoying creating art in their African dresses we had made in the market.

               Addie got a new Indian dress from our friends.  She loves dressing up!

                                      Emma dressed up in her Egyptian dress from LaLa.

We have been keeping busy with work and school.  Yesterday we visited an orphanage down the street from us. The girls picked some books and favorite toys to take to the children there.  They asked a lot of questions about the orphans and we had much discussion about sharing with others. I think it was a true learning experience for them.  We will go back and take more donations as well as hope to work with the children there when the graduate students come in May for their field visit.

I am headed to Abuja this week to present to the board on Study Abroad.  I have started teaching on online course at American University for graduate students that will include research and a field visit in May.  Harv is working on trying to get some research going and has been quite busy with classes.  The girls will begin their after school program this week and will take part in the dance class I will be teaching today.

We are sending love and happiness to you all, Jess