Opposition wins Nigeria election 2 minutes ago
Source: BBC News
Nigerian presidential poll has been won by Muhammadu Buhari, in the country's first election victory by the opposition.
His opponent, Goodluck Jonathan, has conceded defeat and called Gen Buhari to congratulate him on his victory.
Gen Buhari was ahead of Mr Jonathan by at least three million votes.
Observers have generally praised the election but there have been allegations of fraud, which some fear could lead to protests and violence.
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32139858
FWIW, this happens to be a BFG for Nigeria and the whole African continent. But, you probably won't see that in the US media outlets.
Nigeria is one the most influential and certainly the most populous nation in Africa, and this is a historical moment for them.
There are Nigerians all over the European media (http://www.france24.com/en/) speaking of their pride that this election seems to be going off fairly well and that a ground-breaking regime change is about to happen.
They're over the moon.
Supporters of Gen Buhari celebrated as the results came in
"This is a hugely significant moment in Nigeria's history - never before has a sitting president lost an election," the BBC's Will Ross reports from Abuja.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)This is one of those occasions where, without ever having heard of him before, one says he can't be worse than his opponent.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)expressing their desire for something better. All over the European media.
Damn, I'm so happy for them!
muriel_volestrangler
(101,144 posts)It might be that he's now a reformed character, but, yes, he could easily be worse.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)it won't get any worse, and maybe it'll get better with a peaceful transition.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)President Jonathan was the kind of feckless leader who, after winning an election, seems to invite a coup with a shear display of incompetence. When Boko Harem kidnapped 200 girls from school, Jonathan and his wife tried to downplay its importance. Mrs. Jonathan even suggested the whole thing was a hoax intended to embarrass her husband.
That's hardly the hallmark of responsible government. President Jonathan didn't need anybody's help acting in a way that could be construed as embarrassing to himself.
It's very easy to see why the Nigerian people bought into the opposition's campaign.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Well, explained. This: "seem(ed) to invite a coup with a shear display of incompetence."
superpatriotman
(6,232 posts)This is a hugely significant moment in Nigeria's history - never before has a sitting president lost an election, the BBC's Will Ross reports from Abuja.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)they are a proper democracy for the first time since independence.
And, the new guy knows he has the hopes of a nation riding on his success.
Corey_Baker08
(2,157 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)on the European news channels. It warms the heart...
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)iandhr
(6,852 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)So messy it's impossible to describe in attractive prose.
BumRushDaShow
(127,254 posts)and he told me last month that it IS messy there. It's like a choice between 2 "evils", although he figured Goodluck had been able to keep the country semi- stable at the moment considering everything that has gone on there. But I think the recent issues with Boko Haram and the continued extreme divide between the Muslim north and Christian south, are going to make it challenging for anyone who gets elected. You also have major ethnic groups (who in ancient times, were independent kingdoms), that haven't made amends amongst themselves, so that adds to the drama.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)BBC breaking and all.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)has since had a 'democratic' conversion. Better qualified on paper than the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, who has done nothing in six years to move Nigeria forward.
Many voters have said that they believe Gen Buhari is better positioned to defeat the Boko Haram insurgents, who are laying waste to the northeastern third of the country.
This is a sine qua non if the country is to address its other pressing problems.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)because a) he is a Muslim and b) he is a former general. He can slaughter Boko Haram without raising the ire of peaceful Muslims in Nigeria.
His idol, Murtala Muhammad was a decent leader of Nigeria. The Lagos international airport is named after him.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)No where in all these jubilation has the election commission declared a winner but the old dictator thinks he can just claim victory and take the seat of power because BBC and Reuters said so.
Big fucking deal my ass, History election my ass. The Abiola election was more historic than this but the media wishes everybody forgets it. I will wait for the official results to come out before deciding if I mourn for my country or just say "meh" for the same ole corrupt leader in Jonathan' return.
I love how the OP thinks just because you can find a few Nigerians who can come on western TV to say they are proud of their country means anything. There is another 50% or more who could easily say the same thing if Jonathan wins. So it means nothing.
Renew Deal
(81,801 posts)Did this not happen?
jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)The election was close but I guess there were enough people who believed the hype. But make no mistake, a little under half the country is morning this victory, this was no landslide or mandate win.
The OP gives the impression that this is a victory for a good majority of Nigerians when only a slim majority will be celebrating this victory.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)mention the size of the winning majority.
Please read more closely and be more judicious in casting your aspersions, good sir/madam.
jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)I must have gotten the wrong impression from the cheerleading manner who worded your OP. Sorry my western overlord, that mistake wont happen again.
Oh well, cant stand all the cheerleading on this thread. Going to head out before I say something in anger that will get be banned.
Enjoy the win, I bet the IMF and world bank will be licking their fingers now their man is in power.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"Oh well, cant stand all the cheerleading on this thread...."
It can indeed be difficult when people have different opinions than our own.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)And 'historic' is the qualifier being used in all European outlets to describe these election results.
They report, I quote, you decide! Fair and balanced.
Renew Deal
(81,801 posts)You were wrong.
https://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=du8pmyJZ6JrJtSM2qXP9XrfTBEjHM&q=nigeria&lr=English&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WuMaVfjdF4mXNtT5grgO&ved=0CCoQqgIwAA
Google news results in order:
NY Times
WSJ
Washington Post
US News & World Report
USA Today
VoA
Newsweek
BBC
Guardian
CNN
Fox
CNN Int.
Vice
Forbes
Al Jazeera
The Independent
HuffPo
Time
Daily Mail
FT
Yahoo
CBS
Forbes
That's the first page and I removed any dupes.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)happening here with actual, real live Nigerians.
Maybe some of the less 'tabloidy' US outlets are doing the same. Would be very glad if they were...
jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)are you a Nigerian?
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)Just to let you know, there are many Nigerians who will be looking for their way out because of this win. Despite what you see on your TV, not everybody is celebrating, this is not historic by any mean. This is just the same ole divisive election wins we have in Nigeria where all the Hausas and Muslims vote for their guy and the Igbos vote the other way and the Yourba's split the vote.
If you want historic vote, look at MKO Abiola win in 1998 where all Nigerians from every religion, tribe came out and voted for him. This is not what we have now. This is just a divided election with half the country rejoining and the other half very very depressed.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)one--and your guy's lost. Did you come out on the losing side?
Post-election angst?
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)It couldn't get any worse, and maybe it'll get getter with a peaceful transfer of power.
Brother Buzz
(36,212 posts)asking me receive and help protect his locked trunk boxes, risky-free. Bank on it.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,212 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,212 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)historical American election in Louisiana.
I don't know what your photo purports to show. Was that supposed to be cash used to buy votes or what?
Corruption and bribery are said to be endemic in Nigeria, so I wouldn't be surprised.
OTOH, this photo has no date, time, source reference, etc. Can you give some background on it?
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)undeterred
(34,658 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Let's hope that such a sentiment will guide Nigeria's new leader.