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."
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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
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.
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Newspaper headlines following the decision by Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission to delay the country’s poll.
EPA-EFE/Jayden Joshua
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.
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Fela Kuti’s Mr Follow Follow is the b-side of his album, Zombie.
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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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Health + Medicine
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Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
STI prevention was largely driven by HIV prevention. With changes in HIV prevention initiatives that don't really take into account other STIs, there's need to refocus STI prevention.
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Peter Macharia, Kenya Medical Research Institute; Emelda Okiro, Kenya Medical Research Institute
Only half of Kenya's 47 counties achieved the 2000 goal on reducing child mortality
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Arts + Culture
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TL McCormick, University of Johannesburg
Leathermen expose the myth of hypermasculinity by refusing the violence and aggression which is normally attached to it.
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From our international editions
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Chris Edelson, American University School of Public Affairs
History shows that Congress can play an important role in checking a president's power.
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Scott Shackelford, Indiana University
Despite the uncertainties – and dangers – of retaliating against suspected cyberattackers, a surprising number of companies and countries are exploring doing just that.
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