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Niger Votes in Search of First Democratic Transition

27Dec

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Economy, Elections, News, Security

Niger Votes in Search of First Democratic Transition

Niger heads to the polls on Sunday (today) in an election that is expected to pave way for the first transfer of power between two democratically elected presidents in a country battling insecurity. Reports say Mohamed Bazoum, former interior minister, the ruling party’s candidate is in pole position to replace President Mahamadou Issoufou, who has completed two five-year terms leading the West African country, CGTN reports. The 60 years old Bazoum in his campaign address, promised to continue with Issoufou’s policies, while also vowing to cleanse the country of corruption. Bazoum in a campaign video said, “If I am lucky enough to win this election, you will have chosen someone who is ready from day one.” The election comes at a time when Niger is facing twin security crises. I...

Former President of Niger Mamadou Tandja is Dead

Former President of Niger, Mamadou Tandja has died at the of 82, the government announced on Tuesday. A statement by the government revealed that Tandja who had suffered health challenges in the recent past died in the capital city of Niamey but failed to disclose the cause of his death. Three days of national mourning was declared in respect to the former by the government. The former president took power in November 1999 after being elected on a promise to restore stability in the country after a coup had overthrown military ruler, Ibrahim Bare Mainassara. Tandja, a retired colonel won a second term in office in 2004 but his management of a hunger crisis caused by drought and a huge plague of locusts resulted in public uproar. He then thrust the country into turmoil in 200...

Anxiety in Bayelsa as Election Tribunal Set to Deliver Judgement

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri is set to know his fate as the governor of the oil rich state as the Election Petition Tribunal will deliver judgement in three petitions against his election in Abuja. The petition of Vijah Opuama of the Liberation Movement versus the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and three other concerned parties are part of the petitions to be determined, Channels published. The other petitions are between Ibiene Stephen of United People’s Congress (UPC) and INEC and three others while the third petition is between Owei Woniwei of Alliance for Democracy and Governor Duoye Diri and three others. The suits are disputing the emergence of Senator Diri as the duly elected Governor of Bayelsa State in the November 2019 election. Recall that the...