For democratic inspiration and validation, the Nigerian administration has continued to look up to an American government that is presently tumbling down the stairs tripped by Russian interference in their 2016 General elections.
After capitalism and democracy have buried socialism in a cold war fought between two models, Russia has not hidden her disdain for a people’s representative government. Having sensed a debt weakened USA, Russia chose to launch a cyber attack on the very heart of democracy by influencing their elections. Influencing election in Nigeria is called rigging. It would surprise you to hear also in Naija that it's not a big deal.
We may be a consuming economy with penchant for importing cutting edge technological products like tooth picks and matches, but we definitely need no external help in influencing our own elections. We are quite capable of mishandling our collective commitment to our future the way we deem fit. But, the President is a step ahead of everyone in ensuring that the postponed elections do not degenerate in to a cold war.
So, fearing that El-Rufai may be serious about returning international observers to their various countries in body bags, the President has in wise counsel ordered that local observers snatching ballot boxes for the sole aim of independently influencing votes cast be shot in cold blood. And I guess investigations into the ballot box snatching and the resultant extra judicial killing will be done posthumously and on merit.
Election rigging and corruption are very serious crimes in the United States and that is why there are seventeen ongoing investigations (including criminal) against President Trump. Till date, the investigation has yielded several indictments, five guilty pleas and Trump's personal lawyer and fixer will hopefully be in prison a day before my March birthday. As serious as this crime goes, none of those who pleaded guilty has been shot. Neither has any indicted Russian agent been returned to Kremlin in a body bag.
The consolation however for independent observers is that all these Presidential unsavoury election measures will be happening offline while most observers like me will be spinelessly monitoring the elections online. Pending when Oshinbajo is able to explain in “trader moni” language, Section 129 (1) and (2) Electoral Amendment Act 2010 to the President within legal and moral context, observers are advised to postpone all activities that could earn them a befitting full military burial rather than a 24 months imprisonment as stipulated under the Act.
At least, until democracy returns from her trip to the United States for medical appointment.
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