Nigerians will head to the polls three times in the next three weeks to vote for a new president, parliament officials, and state governors. The intense preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission and its new, well-respected chairman have generated public optimism and expectations for a free and fair election.
However, despite the new leadership, peaceful and credible elections are hardly guaranteed. Nigerians are still bruised from the previous three elections, which were corrupt. People are ready for change but much is at risk if things go poorly yet again.
Based in Abuja, Udo Jude Ilo, a consultant for the Open Society Foundations, discusses above what's at stake for Nigeria and why these elections are so important to Nigeria’s future.
Request for higher bond in hit-and-run death case.(News)
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) September 18, 2008 | Gutowski, By Christy Byline: Christy Gutowski Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer cgutowski@dailyherald.com Prosecutors in DuPage County will seek a $1 million bond today for a motorist accused in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist in Wisconsin.
Barbara Lee, 41, of Spring Grove is accused of fleeing after an Aug. 16 crash in Kenosha County.
In Wisconsin, Lee is wanted on charges of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle, hit-and-run causing death, hit-and-run causing injury and operating a vehicle with a revoked license. She lost her license for two prior arrests in 2003 and 2005 alleging she drove under the influence of an intoxicant, according to court records. site 2000 jeep grand cherokee
Acting on a tip two days after the accident, sheriffs police said they found her damaged 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee in her garage, but Lee was not there.
Authorities continued to build their case. Nearly four weeks later, on Sept. 12, a $100,000 arrest warrant was issued for Lee in Kenosha County. here 2000 jeep grand cherokee
Police arrested her that same day in Elmhurst, but she was set free one day later after posting $5,000 cash as bail.
Calling it "unconscionably low," prosecutors today will ask DuPage Circuit Judge John Kinsella to increase Lees bond to $1 million on an Illinois fugitive-of-justice complaint. They hope to detain her while Wisconsin officials seek her extradition.
In court records, DuPage County prosecutor Robert Berlin said they uncovered new evidence that Lee poses a flight risk. Authorities allege Lee cleaned out her house at 702 Suzanne Court and stopped showing up for work after the crash.
Police said they found a quivering Lee hiding in the basement of her McHenry County home while investigating a Sept. 10 call of a possible burglary.
She denied hiding, but admitted she was "packing some things," according to court records.
Police said the house appeared unoccupied, had feces strewed about and smelled of a foul odor.
The crash killed Gordon Kleifield, 44, of Chicago, and injured his friend, Dan Dugan, 46, of McHenry, who also was riding his bike.
I did monitor yesterday's Parliamentary elections in Lagos State. To a reasonable extent, the elections were free,fair and peaceful in the areas that I covered
The voters will probably shrug-off the the violent attempts and head towards achieving democracy. The Nigerian government is doing its best to assure everything goes smoothly. Sometimes, however, it is the aftermath that starts the real violence in these situations.
I think an important part of the people's achievement of democracy is having the mindset to accept the results of the elections made by them.
The Open Society Foundations work to improve the lives of the world's most vulnerable people and to promote human rights, justice, and accountability. This blog aims to bring that work a little closer by giving our experts and grantees a platform to reflect on their issues, sharpen their thinking, and engage in a conversation on how to advance open society values around the globe.
Stay Informed
I did monitor yesterday's Parliamentary elections in Lagos State. To a reasonable extent, the elections were free,fair and peaceful in the areas that I covered
The voters will probably shrug-off the the violent attempts and head towards achieving democracy. The Nigerian government is doing its best to assure everything goes smoothly. Sometimes, however, it is the aftermath that starts the real violence in these situations.
I think an important part of the people's achievement of democracy is having the mindset to accept the results of the elections made by them.