NIGERIA: Candidate for the Nigerian presidential election Muhammadu Buhari alleges election fraud

Record ID: 235306

  • Title: NIGERIA: Candidate for the Nigerian presidential election Muhammadu Buhari alleges election fraud
  • Date: 21st April 2011
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (APRIL 20, 2011) (REUTERS ACCESS ALL) GENERAL MUHAMMANDU BUHARI, EX-MILITARY RULER AND MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER SITTING DOWN TO INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, SAYING: " We have observed fraud, computer fraud, already programmed to fail us, this is number one. Number two, there are at least 11 states where our supporters were disenfranchised. Thirdly, we have made recommendations which INEC agreed to but they failed to implement." GENERAL BUHARI ENTERING HIS LIVING ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, SAYING: "Those who rigged the elections are being responsible for the spontaneous reaction of the people in some parts of the country." GENERAL BUHARI IN HIS LIVING ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, SAYING: "This country is looking for justice, people want to make sure that they matter, you can't come and put a system in place that says each Nigerian is entitled to vote for a candidate or for a party he believes in and then you turn around and subvert him. Human beings are not donkeys, if they uncover that you have subverted them they will react." GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI SHAKING HANDS WITH JOURNALISTS
  • Embargoed: 6th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5R03NZ3XGN2H4JNLYBZNAYALH
  • Story Text: Nigeria's ex-military ruler and main opposition party leader accused the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) of triggering Monday's (April 18) deadly riots in the north of the country by rigging presidential elections.
    General Muhammadu Buhari told journalists in capital Abuja on Wednesday (April 20) that President Goodluck Jonathan's PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were to blame.
    "We have observed fraud, computer fraud, already programmed to fail us, this is number one. Number two, there are at least 11 states where our supporters were disenfranchised. Thirdly, we have made recommendations, which INEC agreed to, but they failed to implement," said General Buhari.
    Both international and local observers called the poll the fairest in decades in Africa's most populous nation, which has a long history of votes marred by fraud and intimidation.
    "Those who rigged the elections are responsible for the spontaneous reactions of the people in some parts of the country," said Buhari.
    Diplomats, analysts and ruling party supporters criticised the former general, who has strong grass roots support in the north, for failing to call for calm and condemn the violence perpetrated in his name. But Buhari denied any involvement.
    "This country is looking for justice, people want to make sure that they matter, you can't come and put a system in place that says each Nigerian is entitled to vote for a candidate or for a party he believes in and then you turn around and subvert him. Human beings are not donkeys, if they discover that you have subverted them they will react," he said.
    Jonathan appealed for unity in an acceptance speech broadcast to the nation on Monday.
    Security analysts said they believed the curfews and a show of military force in the north should contain the violence for now but feared that governorship elections in the 36 states in a week's time could become another flashpoint.
    At least 80 people have been killed in major cities, hundreds injured and thousands displaced by the violence after Jonathan won Saturday's (April 16) vote.
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