As millions of Nigerians go out to cast their votes today, they are doing so with their hearts in their mouths, because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has waged a do or die war on the opposition parties in the contentious presidential and legislative elections.
They are also caught in the crossfire of the on going battles between government forces and the rebellious militants. The Nigerian police and armed forces are locked in a do or die battle with the Islamic militants in the North and the daredevil Niger Delta militants in the South.
The embattled government of the President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, cannot guarantee the security of the electorate. The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, Sunday Ehindero said 34 police officers and 40 civilians have been killed due to "criminal desperation that has attended the conduct of these elections" in the run up to state assembly and gubernatorial elections, during the violent elections and in violent protests after the elections.
Saturday morning, a truck bomb would have blown up the national headquarters of INEC in Abuja if an electric pole had not obstructed it. Then a naval helicopter engaged in combat with the daredevil militants in the creeks and cities of the Niger Delta crashed Friday night, and the three crewmembers were killed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already delayed the presidential and legislative elections by two hours, because INEC had to print new ballots after the Supreme Court ruled Monday that the electoral commission could not disqualify one of the presidential candidates, Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The millions of dollars spent on printing the discarded ballot cards have gone down the drain.
Nigerians may have the choice to cast their votes, but it is nothing but a Hobson's Choice as they are indeed caught between the devil and the deep sea.
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