In theory, yes. We must remember that in Senegal, it was after the run-off that the opposition consolidated, and of course, there was no jumping ship or carpet-crossing that might have shattered the opposition's unity.
In practice, the Nigerian establishment goes out of its way to avoid the kind of run-off that would force the opposition to consolidate. Hence the 'twelve two-thirds' case. Had the Akinjide interpretation failed, there would have been a run-off between Shagari and Awolowo. At that point, the Zik-led NPP - the original 'beautiful bride' - might have changed Nigeria's destiny for ever, depending on which of the two it decided to support (it was only after Shagari had been declared winner that the coalition between his NPN and the NPP came about to provide the majority in parliament that each individually lacked).
But when Babangida made the mistake of allowing 'the opposition' to consolidate by forcing Nigeria's political life into only two parties, the result was MKO Abiola's June 12th victory. Though we know what the Nigerian establishment did with that!
Ayo
I invite you to follow me on Twitter @naijama
--This is indeed a lesson for the Nigerian opposition back home to re-allign forces and drop the individual inordinate ambition of a do-or -die presidency.I recall that in the 2007 presidential elections that saw the emergence of the late President Yar'adua, the other 24 or so presidential candidates of the opposition parties scored more votes put together than Yar'adua, if a simple majority is used. The geographical spread also could have given the coveted throne or office to the best among the opposition candidates as just happened in Senegal. But...Time will tell, i do believe!'Diran----
'Diran ADEMIJU-BEPO, PhDDepartment of Theatre and Film Arts
Faculty of Arts
University of Jos
Jos, NIGERIA.Alternate Email: ademijubepok@unijos.edu.ng+234 809 425 4817
From: Segun <Seguno2001@yahoo.com>
To: "usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 12:53 AM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - senegal election news!!!
--This is a welcome news. I hope we get more of that.Segun Ogungbemi.
Sent from my iPhonehope this is true!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/senegal-state-tv-president-abdoulaye-wade-concedes-defeat-to-macky-sall-after-runoff-vote/2012/03/25/gIQAtoSTaS_story.htmlSenegal state TV: President Abdoulaye Wade concedes defeat to Macky Sall after runoff vote
DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal state TV: President Abdoulaye Wade concedes defeat to Macky Sall after runoff vote.
-- kenneth w. harrow distinguished professor of english michigan state university department of english east lansing, mi 48824-1036 ph. 517 803 8839 harrow@msu.edu--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment