New York Times: Jonathan Postponed Elections Because He Feels Threatened by Buhari’s Rising Popularity

In an article titled “Nigeria’s Miserable Choices“, The New York Times, expresses its perspective on why Nigeria’s 2015 elections were postponed.

The article which is credited to the Editorial Board and appears in the Opinion pages of the publication states that the primary reason for the election postponement is because President Goodluck Jonathan feels threatened by Muhammadu Buhari‘s rising appeal.

Here are excerpts from the article:

Any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks.

It appears more likely Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram. By dragging out the race, Mr. Jonathan stands to deplete his rival’s campaign coffers, while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.

That Mr. Buhari, who helped launch a coup against a democratically elected government in 1983 and ruled until late 1985, has emerged as potential winner is more of an indictment of Mr. Jonathan’s dismal rule than a recognition of the former military chief’s appeal.

Read the full article on www.nytimes.com