Nigerian cardinal rues post-election violence

April 26, 2011

Cardinal Anthony Okogie, Nigeria’s leading prelate, lamented the post-election violence that recently afflicted parts of the nation. Armed Muslim youths burned down Christian churches and homes and looted Christian businesses in northern Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan, the incumbent and a Christian, defeated two Muslim candidates--Muhammad Buhari and Nuhu Ribadu--in what international observers described as a fair election. Some of Buhari’s supporters, however, took to the streets, alleging that the voting was unfair.

Cardinal Okogie defended the election as fair and criticized the government for failing to send security forces to the area in a timely manner. He also criticized candidates who failed to tell their supporters not to engage in violence.

 

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Further information:

• Okogie Slams Party Leaders For Post-Election Violence (Nigerian Observer)
• Nigeria: Christian churches, homes burned down (CWN, 4/20)