Subject: ALL EYES ON NIGERIA'S ELECTIONS

By Richard Grenell - - thursday, March 19, 2015

With the polls closed in Israel, international election observers now turn
their attention to the Nigerian elections on March 28. The choice for the
leader of Africa’s most populous country pits Goodluck Jonathan from the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Mohammadu Buhari of the All
Progressives Congress (APC). The decision by the roughly 73 million
registered Nigerian voters could have a profound impact on the future of
Africa.

But Western foreign policy observers pre-occupied with the rise of ISIS in
the Middle East should wake up to the reality unfolding in Nigeria.
Opposition candidate General Buhari wants Sharia law throughout Nigeria. In
fact, he wants it everywhere.

“I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the
Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria,” Mr. Buhari said. “God
willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of the
Sharia in the country.”

Agitation? Is this an indication that Mr. Buhari supports violence because
the end goal of the terrorist attacks throughout Nigeria and Africa is an
Islamic state? It is a legitimate question that should be asked by leaders
of the Obama administration.

Boko Haram has pledged its allegiance and support to ISIS. The Northern
Nigerian based Islamic terrorist group wants Sharia law throughout Nigeria
and beyond. They are also actively terrorizing Chad, Niger and Cameroon
with their goal of an Islamic state.

Mr. Buhari has also spoken sympathetically about members of the terrorist
group Boko Haram, has cautioned against a rush to judgement on its members
and has personally been selected by the terrorist group to lead its
negotiations with the Government of Nigeria.  Mr. Buhari’s election as
Nigeria’s head of state would be a disaster for Africa. It would also
signal trouble for the West’s fight against ISIS and terrorism throughout
the Middle East.