According to a confirmed news report coming out of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo has won the people’s mandate to continue in office for an unprecedented third term in office. This came about after a sixteen-hour marathon vote counting and a recount ordered by the Senate leadership. For now the PDP, AD, AGPA and others have agreed to the outcome.
During the recount process, it was discovered that votes meant for the president were unwittingly discard and discounted; and in few instances, the error came about as a result of voting machine malfunction. Now that all the irregularities has been corrected and atoned for, the actual votes are as follows:
- For 3rd term = 80 (70%) 67% Required to win
- Against 3rd Term 20 (20%) 33% Required to win
- Undecided/Alternative to 3rd term = 15 (10%)
- Margin of Error: +/- 1
About 251 eminent Nigerians have voiced their support for President Obasanjo. They include Emirs and Obas from all the regions of the country. The Supreme Military Council has also voiced its support for the outcome. In addition, the European Council on Good Governance, the Asian and Pacific Council on International Affairs, the League of Nations and the United Nations have also voiced their support for the outcome. The AREWA Consultative Forum, the NDIIGBO Ohaneze Forum, MOSSOP, AFENIFERE and the OPC are also in support.
And according to the BBC, the Voice of America, CNN, FOX News and the FSNX News Agency, President George Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and other heads of the G7 countries have sent Obasanjo congratulatory messages. However, there have been no words from General Ibrahim Babangida, Vice President Abubakar Atiku, General Mohammed Buhari, Chief Odumegu Ojukwu and Dr.Yakuku Gowon — all of whom had the intention of contesting the 2007 presidential election.
There is jubilation in most Nigerians cities in support of the latest outcome. Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Sokoto, and Minna are agog. Uncharacteristically, Professor Oluwole Soyinka, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Anthony Enahoro and Colonel Abubakar Umar have yet to release public statements pertaining to the recent events. However, according to a reliable source, they are going to release a joint statement in a day or two.
Obasanjo
President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected to address the nation as soon as possible. Nonetheless, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has issued a statement saying:
“As a nation and as a people, Nigeria is entering a new dawn. These are interesting times, glorious times; and a time for all Nigerians — at home and abroad — to rally round the president as he takes the nation to new height in the coming years. This is God’s work. Without God, this wouldn’t have been possible. We are therefore calling on all Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home immediately to help in advancing the president’s aspiration and unparallel vision for economic growth and human development. Critics are not welcome. God Bless Nigeria!”
In related news, Obasanjo has decided to dump Abubakar Atiku and he is expected to name the eldest son of one of the most influential northern emirs in a ceremony to be conducted within the next 72-hours, at Aso Rock. It has also been reliably gathered that the EFCC and the Inspector General of Police have allegedly invited Babangida and Atiku for rigorous questioning in regards to some alleged amount found in some European banks. The INTERPOL and the MOSSAD are said to be helping with these matters.
Stay out of politics. You are better writing fictions and romance.