US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) meets with Nigeria's President
Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Lagos January 25, 2015. PHOTO |
AKINTUNDE AKINLEYE |
AFP
Departing from longstanding practice of keeping away high
profile officials from countries facing elections, the United States the
previous weekend sent one to Nigeria to read the riot act.
“Riot
act” isn’t in diplomatic lexicon. But the US Secretary John Kerry did
just that in his separate discussions with President Goodluck Jonathan
and his challenger, Gen (rt) Mohammadu Buhari...
Obviously,
fears the election isn’t going the way of the 2011 one prompted the
unusual move. Although riots in some Northern state erupted and more
than 1,000 people died, the voting was deemed a progress for Nigeria’s
fledgling democracy. The 1999, 2003 and 2007 were considered flawed, the
latter most discredited.
According to the Nigerian
media, Mr Kerry sought assurance the elections scheduled to begin on
February 14 goes on. Most intriguing, National Security Adviser, Mr
Sambo Dasuki, on January 22 called for a three-month postponement in a
speech at Chatham House in London.
Mr Dasuki argued
the Independent National Electoral Commission couldn’t distribute the
remaining 30 million voters’ cards in three weeks while it took a year
to issue an equal number.
Mr Kerry had a few warnings.
Washington would deny visas to any Nigerian deemed responsible for
instigating violence over the election, Additionally, the United State’s
assistance to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram Islamist terrorists in
the country’s North-eastern, would be limited if the election is
flawed.
ABILITY TO DO MORE
“Our
ability to do more will depend...on the full measure of credibility,
accountability, transparency and peacefulness of this election,” The
Wall Street Journal quoted Kerry saying.
In a speech
published by Pulse, Mr Jonathan said he emphasized to Mr Kerry he’s
“deeply committed to ensuring our forthcoming election is free and
fair.” He said, though, it was crucial “that all parties abide by an
accord “which commits each to nonviolence, before, during, and after the
election.”
While Kerry-Jonathan-Buhari talks were
underway, Boko Haram, which is accused of killing more than 13,000
people in five years and even razed to the ground a town supposedly
headquarters of so far ethereal regional force against the terrorists
attacked Maiduguri, the capital of Bono state, the most affected. That
was hours after Jonathan addressed a campaign rally there. Armed forces
beat off the attack, saving Jonathan additional embarrassment.
Other
than failure to deal with Boko Haram, Mr Jonathan has others. A modest
example: not a single dent against corruption, a problem albeit not
exclusive to Nigeria.
NO ACTION
For
example: In the second year of his administration, a parliamentary
probe showed $6.8 billion petrodollars disappeared in three years, $6.4
billion in 24 hours. Wow! No action.
It’s difficult to
see how Kerry’ visa denial threat would reduce electoral violence. Most
Nigerians seeking visas to the US don’t cause it. At a recent campaign
rally, ramble rousers threw all manner of objects at Jonathan and his
campaign team. The Niger Delta ex-militants threatened war against those
in Northern states standing in the way of Jonathan’s ambition.
There’s no word yet about what Bukhara’s northern supporters plan.
Fighting
Boko Haram should be de-linked from elections. The US should think of
how to assist the African Union-sponsored regional force.
When it comes to election, Nigerians go their way, often lethally cantankerously. Signs are ominous.
(cmbitiru@hotmail.com)
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