, 10 tweets, 7 min read Read on Twitter
2mrw, we'll have another episode of #NigeriaDecides. It'll be of huge significance for the credibility of international election observation. In many ways It's the 1st major test for Int'l #ElectionObservers since the fiasco of #KenyaDecides2017
#DomesticObservers will also be deployed all over the country for #NigeriaDecides. There are 119,973 Polling Units (PUs). Observers will not be in all the PUs. The goal, however, is to cover all 8,809 wards in the country. Tens of thousands of Observers will be involved in this.
One major reason for the inability to deploy #ElectionObservers all over the country is security. In parts of some states, including Borno (NE), Rivers (SS) & Zamfara (NW), it is impossible to guarantee the safety & security of both election officials & #ElectionObservers.
In those places where they will be deployed, #ElectionObservers in #NigeriaDecides2019 will also be under close scrutiny. 1 Governor, @elrufai, has already threatened them with #bodybags. How they go about their brief will be closely watched
Usually in #AfricanElections, #InternationalObservers spend time talking up how #Africans are queuing peacefully, as if that's the reason we go to vote - to admire queues. Africans have a right to expect that our elections shd be credible. That's more than abt "peaceful" queues!
So, tomorrow, to all the #InternationalObservers & media in #NigeriaDecides2019, please drop this obsession with "peaceful" Africans queuing. We don't want to hear rpts or read morning hour tweets telling us that voting that has barely started is "peaceful"....
In any case, "peaceful" election is not a fact' it's a conclusion or opinion reached at the end of the process. There are many factors that will determine electoral amity in #NigeriaDecides2019. The controlling factor is credibility & electoral justice.
#InternationalObservers should focus on & report the facts & not feed us opinions or prejudices that reflect their low or no expectations for #AfricanElections. Lives depend on the credibility of our elections over here & in #NigeriaDecides2019, the stakes are exceedingly high.
Most people will respect an outcome that reflects fairly the will of the people. For that to happen, you need @inecnigeria & the security agencies to be act fairly. Any sense of robbery could be inimical to post-election equableness.
#NigeriaDecides2019
vanguardngr.com/2019/02/electi…
Missing some Tweet in this thread?
You can try to force a refresh.

Like this thread? Get email updates or save it to PDF!

Subscribe to Chidi Odinkalu
Profile picture

Get real-time email alerts when new unrolls are available from this author!

This content may be removed anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!