Nigerian Elections
Apr 18th, 2011 by admin
Nigeria is finally on the right path to electing its president. This year’s election is showing how much the Nigerian populace wants a change, a change for a better Nigeria. On election day Nigerians were out en masse to cast their votes, clearly showing how much interest the election has generated. Taking a look at Nigeria’s presidential candidates, one can affirm that the nation has transitioned from a nation of greedy and desperate politicians. Though twenty candidates are contesting the elections, only four are considered the front runners.
Nigeria’s incumbent president, a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party is from a minority Niger Delta region. Born in 1957, in Otuoke, Bayelsa state to a family of canoe makers. He holds a BSc degree in zoology, a master’s degree in hydrobiology and fisheries biology. And a PhD from the university of Port Harcourt. After obtaining his first degree, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer and environment protection officer until he decided to go into politics. His career in politics began in 1998. After the impeachment of Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was charged with money laundering in the UK he became Governor. Jonathan in 2006 was selected as the running mate of the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua for the April 2007 elections.
In 2010, when the absence of the President, who was in Saudi Arabia on Medical attention, was getting too long, he was appointed to serve as acting President. When the President died in May 5th 2010, he was sworn in as president. Widely accepted as the people’s candidate in this election due to his humble background, the big gain is he is running under the biggest party in Nigeria. He has promised to conduct a free and fair election and if not elected will calmly accept the people’s choice.
Mohammed Buhari is a retired army general and former Head of state of Nigeria between December 31, 1983 and August 27, 1985. He was born in 1942. A Fulani by birth, a Muslim and from Katsina state. He was a military Governor in the regime of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed. After Murtala’s death he served as the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources in the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo regime. His regime went down in history as the most unpopular due to many unpopular decisions the government made all aimed at instilling discipline in the society. In 1985 he was overthrown in a coup led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and detained for three years. . Later he served as the chairman of the Petroleum trust fund. He was responsible for developmental projects across the country. In 2003 he contested the presidential election; in 2007 he made another attempt. This year was another attempt at trying to be president. Close to elections an alliance was in the way with another political party but talks fell through when an agreement on who would step down could not be reached. He commands a lot of respect from those who believe he can change Nigeria. Many see him as a man that can transform Nigeria. He recently shed tears on Nigeria’s bleak future if something was not done urgently to change the current trend.
Other candidates are the Nuhu Ribardu (ACN) Action of congress of Nigeria. Pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and a retired Assistant Inspector-general of Police. Born in 1960. Then Ibrahim Shekarau, the governor of Kano State is Presidential candidate of All Nigeria peoples Party. He has been governor since 2003. Not very much is known about him. Educated at the Kano Commercial College and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He spent most of his life teaching and serving as an administrator in the Kano civil service.