A former United States’ ambassador to Nigeria, John
Campbell, has asked Nigerians to expect crisis in the March 28 and April 11
polls.
A new report published and released by the US’ Council on
Foreign Relations and authored by Campbell, said the 2015 elections may
“precipitate violence that could destabilise Nigeria”.
The report noted that the US government was at a loss as its
influence on the Nigerian government had waned over the years.
“The upcoming elections are a rematch of the 2011 elections
between the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan (a southern Christian) and
Muhammadu Buhari (a northern Muslim and a former military chief). Tension
between Washington and Abuja is higher than in 2011, largely over how to
respond to the radical Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram, which is steadily
gaining strength in northeast Nigeria,” it said.
According to the report entitled, ‘Nigeria’s 2015
Presidential Election: Contingency Planning Memorandum Update,’ Jonathan will
face a stiff competition from Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in the March
28 presidential poll.
“The APC is stronger than its predecessors (Action Congress
of Nigeria and Congress for Progressives Change) and reflects a splintering of
the political classes. The government’s inability to defeat Boko Haram, the
economic hardships brought on by falling oil prices, and a growing public
perception that the Jonathan administration is weak have fueled support for the
All Progressives Congress. Though the APC’s voter base is in the North, it
enjoys support all over the country, unlike the opposition in 2011,” Campbell
stated.
He, however, pointed out that Jonathan had significant
advantages over Buhari.
According to him, the President is “is at the centre of
extensive patronage networks; he has access to the government’s oil revenue;
and he and his party largely control the election machinery and ballot-counting
infrastructure.”
Amaechi reveals why
he is against Jonathan
“It is uncertain whether any provisions will be made for
voters in the three northern states placed under a state of emergency because
of Boko Haram, as well as the estimated one million people displaced by the
insurgency. These displaced voters would likely support Buhari and the APC;
their exclusion would benefit Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Thus despite the strength of the opposition, Jonathan remains the likely-but
not certain-winner”.
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