[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4298-S4299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, this month's elections in Nigeria mark 
an important moment for Africa's most populous country. Free, fair, and 
peaceful elections would allow Nigeria

[[Page S4299]]

to consolidate its young democracy and to set an example for other 
developing countries in the region and around the world. Last November, 
the Senate unanimously passed a resolution I introduced that called 
upon the Government of Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral 
Commission to demonstrate a commitment to successful democratic 
elections and promised continued U.S. and international support for 
this effort. With the first set of votes just days away, I am 
disheartened by the poor performance of these individuals and 
institutions in the leadup to these historic polls.
  Since GEN Olusegun Obasanjo took the helm of Nigeria's first civilian 
government in 15 years in 1999, the United States and the wider 
international community have made significant investments in assisting 
Nigeria's democratic transition in recognition of the country's 
strategic and symbolic importance. If this month's polls do not produce 
a legitimate, fairly elected government, however, the United States and 
our allies will need to reconsider our political and material support 
to Nigeria.
  Following a violently contested election in 2003, President Obasanjo 
declared that his ``initial assignment as President is trying to heal 
the wounds from the elections.'' Instead, in the runup to this month's 
polls, he has sparked fresh outrage by using the Independent National 
Electoral Commission, INEC, to limit competition, not promote it; by 
repressing dissent rather than encouraging free speech; by harassing 
domestic observers and obstructing the free and fair participation of 
opposition candidates. These abuses reveal the need for substantial 
electoral reform if Nigeria is to continue becoming a role model of 
democracy in Africa and around the world.
  By almost all accounts, Nigeria is simply not ready to conduct this 
election, and the President and the Chairman of INEC should be held 
accountable for that failure. There is still time, however, to 
demonstrate a commitment to the democratic process by accrediting and 
facilitating the work of domestic and foreign election observers, 
approving and publicizing election procedures and polling places, and 
posting voter lists at each polling location. Transparent conduct of 
the polls to be held on April 14 and 21, including unrestricted access 
to polling places for election monitors, will bolster the credibility 
of President Obasanjo's government and INEC, which have been damaged by 
slow and incomplete preparations in past months.
  Disrespect for the principles and processes of democracy threaten the 
gains that President Obasanjo's government has overseen in the past 8 
years. Nigeria's recent economic growth, domestic security, and 
international reputation are all at stake because development, 
stability, and credibility cannot be sustained in a dysfunctional 
political system. Regardless of the outcome of this month's elections, 
I urge all political leaders and their supporters to respect the rule 
of law, preserve the democratic process, and renounce violence.
  This is a critical moment for Nigeria and for Africa. If problems 
related to this month's elections lead to unrest and instability in 
Nigeria, the impact could unsettle the region, indirectly by example 
and directly by weakening one of the most important forces for peace 
and progress on the continent. Under President Obasanjo's leadership, 
Nigeria has defended democracy throughout Africa by working with allies 
to reverse coups and efforts to undermine constitutional processes. Now 
the President has put his own democracy at risk, and the world is 
watching. Corruption, violence, repression, and obstruction of 
transparent, legitimate elections will not be tolerated by the 
international community, and Nigeria and its leaders will be judged 
accordingly.

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