Towards the 2015 Nigerian Elections
Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), shares his thoughts on the 2011 general election, and challenges of, and ongoing preparations for the 2015 election.
President Obama’s Victory Speech and U.S. Election Results
MITT ROMNEY’s CONCESSION SPEECH
INTERACTIVE MAP OF ELECTION RESULTS:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/11/us-election-2012-0
Video Replay of the Obama – Romney Presidential Debate: 2012
Full replay of the 2012 presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.
Nigeria’s First Elections – The Road to Independence
These videos are classics and chronicle Nigeria’s first elections – hotly contested by the Northern People’s Congress, National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, the Action Group and Northern Elements Progressive Union. There is some wonderful archive footage here and interviews with the Sardauna of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Maitama Sule and a young Aminu Kano.
Even though 50+years old, the issues it highlights (cultural and religious differences between north and south) are still relevant today. The things that struck me most:
*The Sardauna’s complete disinterest in federal politics and focus on preserving the customs and integrity of the north. When asked whether he would become Nigeria’s Prime Minister or Governor-General, the Sardauna replied: “I would rather live here amongst my people and carry my traditional title than an imported one.”
*Azikiwe’s lack of partisan political ambition – saying it did not matter which of he, Balewa and Awolowo became Prime Minister.*The Sardauna’s irritation with Awolowo’s brash campaigning and desecration of northern traditions by hovering over/dropping leaflets on the Emir’s palace.
This is a must view. Enjoy!
Anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Election Annulment
Today is the 18th anniversary of the June 12 1993 election won by MKO Abiola which was annulled by the military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida. Brief video update above. Also, a great highlight from the archives below of the presidential debate between Abiola of the SDP and Bashir Tofa of the NRC. This was the first televised presidential election debate in Nigeria’s history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPiFHzSi5X4&feature=related
PART 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey8e_KToAxQ
PART 3:
INEC to Register 80 Million for Nigeria Election
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sudI7NTjUb0
Report by Al-Jazeera on Nigeria’s voter registration exercise using software written by Nigerian Nyimbi Odero (a former Google employee).
Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary: October 1, 2010
Great video above (called “Africa – States of Independence – Nigeria”) from Al-Jazeera about Nigeria at 50. Wonderful rudimentary run through of Nigeria since 1960. It also features great feature length interviews with people like Wole Soyinka and Ibrahim Babangida, and video footage of Nigeria’s past leaders like Ironsi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, General Yakubu Gowon, Phillip Effiong, Olusegin Obasanjo, and footage from the 1966 pogroms and civil war.
Warning – there are some harrowing scenes of dying/suffering during Biafra.
As Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary (October 1, 2010) is only around the corner, I thought some of you nostalgic folks would like some of these vintage images and video clips from Nigeria’s past. Read, view and enjoy….
If you want to know why Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was called the “The Golden Voice of Africa”, watch this interview with him. The man had impeccable erudition:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11399156
Interview with Seun Kuti.
Interview with Ibrahim Babangida:
The end of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11399157
The 1983 coup that deposed President Shagari and brought Buhari to power:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11405111
Football Fever, 1996
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11405113
End of military rule: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11405107
Religious violence: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11405106
2007 presidential election: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11399154
Niger Delta insurgency: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11399155
Continuing power of traditional rulers: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11418542
Statistics about Nigeria: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11388707
The Scramble for Africa:
Babangida’s Interview with CNN
Babangida wants to be President again….and he is defending his record. He says that Abacha actually saved Nigeria by holding the country together. Although he admits the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election was “wrong”, he says he was judged unfairly and harshly.
See the videos above and below.
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2010/09/22/purefoy.nigeria.elex.babangida.cnn.html
Reviewing General Babangida’s Tenure
Remember General Babangida? ;-) Of course you do! With the political heavyweights getting ready for next year’s presidential election, things willsoon heat up. Babangida is of course planning to run. People have been getting very vocal about his last tenure in government (1985-1993) and debating the pros and cons of his rule. Some people are saying his rule was “free”, others not so. Watch the pros and cons of the debate. This videoeven features an interview with the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 election, Moshood Abiola.
