Nigeria Elections

Nigerias presidential and parliamentary elections which were scheduled for February 14 have been delayed by six weeks to the 28th of March.The country`s state assembly elections have also been pushed to the 11th of April 2015.The two major contenders for the presidential seat are the incumbent, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former military dictator and retired General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC).Use snippets from the clip titled TMG Nigeria Quick Count Election 2015 (HD) from time General Buhari overthrew a democratically elected government in December 1983 and was Military Head of State until August 1985. His regime was infamous for human rights violations and gagging of the press. This will be his fourth attempt to be elected into Nigerian's highest office after three unsuccessful outings in 2003, 2007 and 2011. General Buhari of the APC recently declined participating in a presidential debate due to be aired on national television and radio citing media bias. Use clip titled Nigeria's Jonathan kicks-off re-election bid (HD)

President Goodluck Jonathan is seeking re-election amid an insurgency by the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, which has taken over territory in the countrys northeast. Boko Haram cast a long shadow over Nigeria, when they kidnapped over 300 girls in Chibok. Meanwhile,the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, has directed all state governments to ensure the provision of adequate security to ensure the security of the students whose schools were near polling stations especially the boarding schools whose premises are being used as polling stations.

Use clip titled One month countdown to Nigerias crucial election (HD)

Many political pundits have argued that the Boko Haram insurgency thrives on problems that plague North East Nigeria which include massive poverty, feudal social and economic relationships that are deeply entangled with ethnic and religious affiliations, and an elite intra-class politics in which the control of the Nigerian state apparatus is the ultimate PRIZE.

Use clip titled Nigerias Dangerous 2015 Elections Limiting the Violence (HD) from 0.03

Boko Harams connections to the elite of Northern Nigeria seem to have exacerbated the problem.Election analysts have warned of low turnout amid fears of violence.

use clip titled cameroon boko haram

Meanwhile some Institute for Security Studies(I.S.S) analysts says the U.S. Africa Command ( AFRICOM)`s strategic objective of establishing closer military relations with nations in Africa in which the U.S. has vital interests is certainly being satisfied as a result of the insurgency in an act of arbitration.

Use clip titled Nigerias Dangerous 2015 Elections Limiting the Violence (HD) from 0.03

Join us tonight on African Perspectives as we discuss the Nigerian elections

Questions1. Free and fair elections seem to be under threat from instability and insurgency,Will the provision of adequate security warrant free and fair elections ?

2.The Democratic Party (PDP) of President Goodluck Jonathan says it has a good opportunity to win the elections ?Is that so

3.Is Boko Haram as an armed group exploiting the politics of indifference?

4.Many argue that Boko Haram represents an alien force of wide-eyed fanatics who use terror tactics to conquer and rule over territory.Will Boko Haram be able to rule Nigeria as an Islam Caliphates ?5.Is it fact that the fuel for the insurgency is being provided by elites in Nigeria?