Nigeria's "Historic" election period

We are fast approaching the historic handover from one civilian government to another -- the first in the history of this country! 29 May is the day for the transition to the new government.

However, celebrations are probably not the order of the day -- maybe thousands of protesters and hundreds of deaths ... but not much worth celebrating.

This had the potential of being a truly historic event and a true step forward in this country's "march" toward democracy. However, the actual facts taint the jubilance and show that this could be, in reality, a slither away from democracy:
-- the civilian handover is from one man to another WITHIN the same party -- the PDP.
-- Pres. Obasanjo hand-picked his successor and the new VP. The new Pres, Yar'Adua has reported kidney problems leading to some speculation that he won't live long. I actually heard one woman say she was not going to be forced to vote for a corpse so she wasn't going to vote!
-- Ah, the "voting!" Both our driver and our maid proudly told me that they voted. So I asked them if they had a hard time deciding who to vote for. In both cases, they said, "no" it was not difficult to decide because a PDP party official stood over them to make sure they put their thumbprint by the right picture! I tried to give a short lesson in free elections but they were so proud that they voted ... I couldn't burst their bubbles!
-- It is estimated that a few hundred people all over Nigeria died in attempts to guarantee a free election.
-- Reports abound that echo the experiences of our maid and driver.
-- In many cases, entire villages showed up to vote and were told that the ballots were already all used ... before the poles opened. PDP workers had already filled out each ballot and stuffed the ballot boxes.
-- Even 3 weeks AFTER the election, there are reports of PDP workers who have used (and are still using) their own thumbs -- maybe to save the people from the bother of getting their thumbs dirty! (I guess they want to guarantee victory in this "landslide" election.)
-- One presidential challenger is not going to take the election to court this time. Four years ago, when Obasanjo won re-election by a "landslide," this candidate took it to court and the case took 2 years to be considered ... and subsequently rejected. He lacks the money and years to question it again.
-- Other candidates and parties are going to protest the transition of power and are refusing to accept the new president. It is estimated that 20,000 protesters will be in one location in Lagos in a planned protest -- that could grow exponentially!
-- Criminal activity has increased since the election and MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the ones who are usually responsible for most oil-related kidnappings) has escalated their kidnappings and published a rather well-written statement condemning the elections as a farce.
-- The problems are not limited to the Federal positions. The same issues occurred in almost every state with many governors and others being elected in similar "landslides!"

So, most expats are staying locked down in their homes or compounds during the days around the transition day. Many Nigerians are also planning on avoiding the streets and public areas.

There is great hope amongst the educated and illiterate, alike, that the new president will take matters into his hands and actually deal with the militants and criminals that are crippling the oil industry and, therefore, the entire economy. It's a shame ... the average person who was already so very poor is now barely surviving because their income level has dropped in conjunction with the reduction of expats in the oil-rich areas and even in the country at all. Some companies have already pulled out of Nigeria. Michelin is pulling out, leaving thousands without work. But hands are tired at the mercy of the militants and the "area boys" or cults --- what we would call gangs and thugs.

The average southern Nigerian (in the "Christian" part of the country) pulls out their "God card" and says that they know God will restore their country and help the new president. When I try to explain that God will not force repentance and decency on individuals or a nation, that humans have free choice, ... I realize that I'm just trying to burst a bubble that refuses to be burst! If one individual can't comprehend that they are responsible for their own behavior and that God's not going to protect them in their scamming schemes just because they sang and tithed in church last week ... how will a whole nation get it?