Editor's note

Nigeria’s electoral commission sent shockwaves through the country when it announced hours before polling was due to begin that the elections were being postponed. This isn’t the first time that polling has been postponed in the country. But, as Fola Adeleke writes, the reasons given this time are much weaker than on previous occasions, and are playing directly into people's mistrust of the ability of the country to hold free and fair elections. And, as Olayinka Ajala explains, the decision came as a particular shock given that the electoral commission had said all systems were good to go just a day before polling was due to start.

For his part Uche Onyebadi looks at what Nigeria’s great musicians and writers have had to say about the inadequacies of their country’s leadership."

Julie Masiga

Peace + Security Editor

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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari holding a flag during a recent campaign rally. He is running for a second term in office. EPA-EFE/STR

Postponement fuels lack of trust in Nigeria’s ability to hold fair elections

Fola Adeleke, University of the Witwatersrand

This is not the first time a Nigerian poll has been postponed but it is certainly the most dramatic.

Newspaper headlines following the decision by Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission to delay the country’s poll. EPA-EFE/Jayden Joshua

Nigeria’s election delay: why, and what next?

Olayinka Ajala, University of York

Regardless of how the elections are conducted on the new dates announced, losing parties will blame the postponement for their defeat.

Fela Kuti’s Mr Follow Follow is the b-side of his album, Zombie. YouTube

Fela, Saro-Wiwa, Achebe: what Nigeria’s icons have said about its politics

Uche Onyebadi, Texas Christian University

Cultural icons like Achebe, Fela and Saro-Wiwa were among those who highlighted Nigeria's failings.

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