After a careful examination of the logistics and the status of preparations for the vote had been decided in the sense of “free, fair and transparent elections” in a shift, declared the election Commission on Saturday morning via Twitter. Coming up Saturday “a number of challenges should be” lifted, said returning officer Mahmood Yakubu.
“This was a difficult decision for the election Commission, but it is necessary for the successful execution of the options , and the strengthening of our democracy,” said Yakubu after the decision in front of journalists. The announcement came for most observers completely by surprise. The justification of the electoral Commission for the postponement remained vague. In the run-up to the vote, some choice had been lit, local.
Massive criticism
In a first reaction to the massive criticism from the campaign came the strongest candidate camps. The Team of President Muhammadu Buhari has called the postponement of the election date will be a “huge disappointment”, as one of the night common statement, in which also the bearing of the fiercest Challenger, Atiku Abubakar blamed for the delay. Abubakars Team saw, in turn, is behind the displacement, a Plan for the “disenfranchisement of Nigerians”, the “Premium Times” reported.
The last elections in 2015 in Africa’s most populous country had been moved, but with a bit of a larger lead. In addition, the step had been expected at the time. The parliamentary and presidential elections in the West African state, will now take place on Saturday of next week, votes to governors and parliaments of the Federal States are now for 9. March planned.
head-to-head race
Nigeria’s head of state, Muhammadu Buhari applying for a further term of office. Observers expect a neck-and-neck race with his Challenger, Atiku Abubakar. Around 84 million Nigerians are eligible to vote. The conservative and ascetic-looking Buhari (76) promises to the voters, better infrastructure, and a determined fight against corruption and radical Islamists. The more liberal entrepreneurs Abubakar (72) wants to liberalise the economy and thus growth and create millions of jobs.
for the First time, the candidates of the two major parties are Muslims from the North of the country. Half of Nigerians is estimated to be of the Muslim faith, nearly as many Christians are. The Religion of the candidate in Nigeria is always of importance. The conservative Buhari is in the Muslim North, popular, Abubakar needs to win for a victory of the more Christian South.
observers anticipate a very close election. The incumbent should lose, Buhari and refuse to Abubakars victory to recognise, could threaten violence. After the controversial election in 2011, around 1000 people were died in the riots died. In 2015, however, a largely peaceful change of power was succeeded, after President Goodluck Jonathan had admitted its defeat.
72 candidates for the office of the heads of state
To the office of the heads of state, 72 candidates are applying for, opportunities are, however, given only the two favorites. Choice 84 million Nigerians are entitled to. To win the election, needs a candidate with an absolute majority of votes and at least 25 percent of the votes in two-thirds of the 36 States.
One of the biggest challenges for the new President will be peace in the North-East, where Islamist terror groups such as Boko Haram are up to mischief. There are around two million people are on the run from the fundamentalists.
Nigeria with almost 200 million people the most populous state and the largest economy in Africa. Despite oil wealth, the majority of the population lives in extreme poverty. Around 80 million people according to the world Bank no regular access to electricity. The average life expectancy is only 53 years (Switzerland: 83). (sda)
Created: 16.02.2019, 05:47 PM
