Friday, April 3, 2015

Nigerian Presidential Elections: Representative Government vs. Terrorism and Other Observations


           Nigerians braved the threat of violence from Islamist terrorists to vote in presidential elections.  The elections were relatively free of violence and irregularities. 

A Muslim who is a former military dictator was elected, winning even some Christian areas in this divided African state.  Despite his record of repression, he won on the promise to do more to fight the jihadists than the incumbent and on his record of honest government, which is an exception in Nigeria, one of the world’s most corrupt states. 

The incumbent conceded defeat and will give up power, which will mark the first transfer from one party to another through elections in Nigerian history. 

Nigerians deserve praise for their commitment to representative government and opposition to public corruption and to terrorism.  May they safeguard their liberty and remain united to defeat the terrorists.

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