Nigeria: Echoes of Political Anarchy After Tragic Elections

In view of the critical situation in Nigeria, it would be wise for foreigners to stay away for their safety and security, because the revolt against the corrupt and undemocratic government of President Olusegun Obasanjo and his notorious ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has started on the streets of Nigeria.

The disturbing sight of a half naked woman swearing and cursing, with a live white cock in her hands shocked millions of TV viewers in Nigeria as they gazed at the terrifying scene of angry protesters in Ondo state in South Western Nigeria. They marched on the streets brandishing green branches with leaves led by the half-naked woman holding a white cock. And only when terrible injustice has been done do native women resort to such a juju to curse their offenders or wrong doers. The last time such a terrifying juju procession took place was during similar violent protests against the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) that rigged the gubernatorial election in Ondo State in 1983. Many politicians were mobbed and lynched, one of them, a prominent publisher was butchered, and his corpse fed to dogs. The Nigerian Army intervened in a bloodless coup d'etat that overthrew civilian President Shehu Shagari on December 31, 1983, and the military junta sacked the corrupt government of the NPN. The leader of that coup is the same retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential flag bearer of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP).

Majority of Nigerians are opposed to the PDP led government of President Olusegun Obasanjo as demonstrated by the violent protests against the results of the state assembly and governorship polls of last Saturday April 14, 2007.
Protesters made bonfires and barricaded major roads in many states of the country. The angry mobs attacked and burnt police stations, offices of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), campaign offices of the PDP and destroyed several official vehicles and PDP vehicles in different states of the federation.

The Niger Delta region is the most dangerous, because the militants have vowed to deal with the PDP for rigging the Saturday April 14 elections. The militants killed nine police officers and four soldiers before escaping and they said they are going to strike again in revolt against the ruling party, because they have to settle their scores.

The international observers monitored the last elections from a safe distance and stayed away from the Niger Delta and other danger zones in Nigeria. Most of them never even went beyond Lagos state.

Some opposing parties have already decided to boycott the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for Saturday April 21, and the violent protests threaten the peace and stability of Nigeria. But will the Nigerian Army intervene again?