₦airaland Forum

Nigeria fights for its survival as a modern democratic state. Split between a Christian south and an Islamic north, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, a battleground against Islamic terrorism, and a major oil-exporting nation. The country was thrown into the global spotlight thanks to its key role in the fight against Islamic radicalism and the spread of regressive Sharia law in Africa and beyond. While a transnational force made up of 7500 soldiers from neighboring Chad, Cameroon, and Niger has already been set up to help Nigeria, the U.S. has so far hung its ally out to dry.

Currently ruled by right-wing President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria is going thorough its most difficult moments in recent history. Although there have been setbacks along the way, President Jonathan has tried to forge a strong multiethnic state that respects democracy and economic growth in Nigeria. But the upcoming presidential elections, slated for March 28, could mark a stark turnaround.

General Muhammadu Buhari, a former dictator who was deposed in the 1980s after seizing power in a coup, is Jonathan’s main contender and polls put them neck and neck. Buhari has pledged to lock up Nigerian politicians and civil servants who oppose or hinder his policies if he is elected. During his time as president in the 80s, a disastrous 20 months which ended in a popular revolution led by military officers, Buhari imprisoned journalists and artists, sentenced to death individuals by applying retroactive laws, and gagged the media. After Buhari’s loss in the 2011 election, his supporters killed hundreds and displaced nearly 65000 in violence throughout Nigeria. For his involvement in the post-election violence, a case has been filed against him at the International Criminal Court. Moreover, in a bizarre confluence of minds with Boko Haram, the general has also pledged full allegiance to Sharia law and has vowed to impose it in Nigeria by saying “I can die for the cause of Islam. If necessary, we are prepared to fight another civil war. We cannot be blackmailed into killing Sharia”

Incredibly, not only is the Obama Administration tacitly endorsing Buhari, but it has connections with Buhari’s campaign. Obama confidante and political operative, David Axelrod, has been working as an advisor for the Buhari camp. Even Secretary of State John Kerry criticized President Jonathan’s temporary delay of elections to address the violent Boko Haram threat, deeming them “unnecessary.”

What the United States does not need is the rise of an illiberal, Islamist state that does not respect modern laws and economic liberties in Africa’s largest democracy. This is unacceptable for the American strategic vision for Africa, but this is a possible outcome if Buhari seizes power in Nigeria.

Had the White House been committed to stop Boko Haram and give hope to the Nigerians who are considering electing a 72-year-old former dictator running on a ludicrous platform of “The Change Team”, it would have lifted restrictions on the selling of weapons to the Nigerian military. Under the so-called Leahy amendment, the U.S. is prohibited from delivering military equipment to units and regimes believed to employ questionable tactics, or which have spotty human rights records.

Among strong allies that have received military aid under Leahy exemptions include Israel and Egypt, two nations currently locked in existential battles with Hizb’allah and the Muslim Brotherhood, respectively. Nigeria should be included in this list of regional powers that deserve our help in their fight against Boko Haram.

As for me and my family and some patriotic Nigerians, we are voting for GEJ

I dnt need any money to vote fr continuity

K

DOA bro. No amount of spin will change the inevitable defeat of your principal. The majority of Nigerians are tired. This Change movement is on Cruise Control. It's unstoppable.

Just get yourself GO-90 drink it and step down with soda water...It seems you can't stand the #Change

Shoot your self in the leg

Dunamis009:
Nigeria fights for its survival as a modern democratic state. Split between a Christian south and an Islamic north, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, a battleground against Islamic terrorism, and a major oil-exporting nation. The country was thrown into the global spotlight thanks to its key role in the fight against Islamic radicalism and the spread of regressive Sharia law in Africa and beyond. While a transnational force made up of 7500 soldiers from neighboring Chad, Cameroon, and Niger has already been set up to help Nigeria, the U.S. has so far hung its ally out to dry.

Currently ruled by right-wing President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria is going thorough its most difficult moments in recent history. Although there have been setbacks along the way, President Jonathan has tried to forge a strong multiethnic state that respects democracy and economic growth in Nigeria. But the upcoming presidential elections, slated for March 28, could mark a stark turnaround.

General Muhammadu Buhari, a former dictator who was deposed in the 1980s after seizing power in a coup, is Jonathan’s main contender and polls put them neck and neck. Buhari has pledged to lock up Nigerian politicians and civil servants who oppose or hinder his policies if he is elected. During his time as president in the 80s, a disastrous 20 months which ended in a popular revolution led by military officers, Buhari imprisoned journalists and artists, sentenced to death individuals by applying retroactive laws, and gagged the media. After Buhari’s loss in the 2011 election, his supporters killed hundreds and displaced nearly 65000 in violence throughout Nigeria. For his involvement in the post-election violence, a case has been filed against him at the International Criminal Court. Moreover, in a bizarre confluence of minds with Boko Haram, the general has also pledged full allegiance to Sharia law and has vowed to impose it in Nigeria by saying “I can die for the cause of Islam. If necessary, we are prepared to fight another civil war. We cannot be blackmailed into killing Sharia”

Incredibly, not only is the Obama Administration tacitly endorsing Buhari, but it has connections with Buhari’s campaign. Obama confidante and political operative, David Axelrod, has been working as an advisor for the Buhari camp. Even Secretary of State John Kerry criticized President Jonathan’s temporary delay of elections to address the violent Boko Haram threat, deeming them “unnecessary.”

What the United States does not need is the rise of an illiberal, Islamist state that does not respect modern laws and economic liberties in Africa’s largest democracy. This is unacceptable for the American strategic vision for Africa, but this is a possible outcome if Buhari seizes power in Nigeria.

Had the White House been committed to stop Boko Haram and give hope to the Nigerians who are considering electing a 72-year-old former dictator running on a ludicrous platform of “The Change Team”, it would have lifted restrictions on the selling of weapons to the Nigerian military. Under the so-called Leahy amendment, the U.S. is prohibited from delivering military equipment to units and regimes believed to employ questionable tactics, or which have spotty human rights records.

Among strong allies that have received military aid under Leahy exemptions include Israel and Egypt, two nations currently locked in existential battles with Hizb’allah and the Muslim Brotherhood, respectively. Nigeria should be included in this list of regional powers that deserve our help in their fight against Boko Haram.

12 days to go
vote for change
vote for APC
BUHARI for president

Don't waste your PVC, vote Buhari
Traders here are complaining bitterly about the exchange rate and when asked why it's so, Uncle Joe spent it all is what you hear. Anyone here prove me wrong please

Buhari losing elections since 1985.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2200210_sendoff_jpegb885eb081f752538f85486595b92d5b4

Mogidi:
Buhari losing elections since 1985.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2200210_sendoff_jpegb885eb081f752538f85486595b92d5b4

If only your jokes was funny it would have been nice