Source:      www.assistnews.net

Date:          April 19, 2007 

OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director
Phone: 616-915-4117
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.OpenDoorsUsa.org

For Immediate Release

SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Legislative and state gubernatorial elections took place in Nigeria on Saturday, April 14. Three states have not yet made their results public. In one case results are undeclared and in the other two cases results were not finalized due to irregularities.

Nigeria's governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) has won 26 of the 33 states declared so far.

Although the federal government is declaring that elections have been reasonably fair so far, there are continued complaints coming in about irregularities and violence on a wide scale. Government departments reported that at least 21 people have been killed in election-related incidents during the first phase of the elections. Local media reported that more than 40 people have been killed.

Opposition parties are urging Nigerians to "protest in a non-violent manner these sham elections so far held, and to resist further elections under the current structure."

A group of domestic observers released their findings on election irregularities. They observed hoarding of results sheets by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lack of secrecy in balloting, underage voting, non-inclusion of pictures and/or names of candidates on the ballot paper, alleged partisanship of INEC officials, snatching of ballot boxes and papers, voter intimidation and a high number of election-related deaths. This group of domestic observers has rejected the results from ten states, namely Anambra, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers, due to the wide scale of irregularities. Their concerns are shared by many other international media sources.

Presidential Elections this Saturday

Presidential elections will take place on Saturday, April 21. This process also has been marred by controversy, which includes the health of the governing party's presidential candidate, Umaru Yar'adua.

In mid March, rumors that Yar'adua had died spread rapidly. It was later confirmed that Yar'adua was alive, but had been flown to Germany for a week's medical treatment.

In February, Atiku Abubakar, the current vice president and presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC), was barred from running in the elections following corruption claims. As vice president and a founding member of the PDP, Abubakar was instrumental in opposing president Obasanjo's plans, backed by the PDP, to change the constitution, allowing Obasanjo to stand for another term in parliament. Abubakar was later charged with corruption and declared unfit by the INEC to stand for the presidency. He has since experienced open resistance from president Obasanjo and the ruling PDP.

Upset with the decision, supporters warned that if Abubakar was not allowed to run, they would resort to violence.

After another appeal through the Supreme Court, Abubakar was finally declared fit to take part in the presidential elections. However, this threatens another major upheaval in the electoral process, because it is uncertain whether all the ballot papers can be changed by Saturday to include Abubakar's name.

Eighteen of the main opposition parties have called for the presidential elections to be postponed.

In the meantime the other major presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is trying to pull all opposition parties together to back him.

Possible Effect of Electoral Process on Christians

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) put out questionnaires to all of the major presidential candidates and said they would release their findings to help guide Christians in voting, but the findings have yet to be released.

Fifty parties are registered to take part in the elections, but the battle seems primarily between Mohammed Buhari, of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), Umar Musa Yar'adua, of the PDP, and Atiku Abubakar, of the AC.

There are no Christian candidates in the presidential elections, but believers seem to lean toward supporting Yar'adua, the former governor of Katsina state. They see him as the most sympathetic candidate to their cause, and he is the only candidate that is reported not to have a cloud of corruption hanging over his head.

Prayer Points

1. Please pray for free, fair and peaceful elections. Pray that the plans of those who want to spread violence and hijack the elections will come to nothing.

2. Pray that northern Christians will be steadfast in the faith and not put their hope and trust in men. Pray that they will be shining lights in the midst of their uncertain circumstances.

3. Pray that the church will react to Islam in love. Pray that their circumstances will motivate them to reach out to their Muslim neighbors in love.

4. Pray for believers in Kano state who were hopeful that the incumbent governor would not win the election. Unfortunately he has won through alleged rigging. Pray that the believers will stand strong and not be discouraged despite the policies of the governor who has no sympathy for Christians.

5. Pray that Christian leaders will teach their flocks to be peacemakers during this time. Pray that Christians will have the grace to remain calm in the face of provocation, threats and attacks.

An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (524-2535) or go to our USA website at www.OpenDoorsUsa.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).