Prof. Soyinka, Gen. Malu say anarchy looms

With the April general elections in Nigeria few weeks away, there are indications that the ruling PDP has taking delivery of arms and ammunitions worth millions of dollars in preparation for the election showdown.

They include Ak47 assault riffles, K2 rifles, baretta pistol, ammunitions, bulletproof vest, helmet, and additional rounds for other calibers. 

Although the inspector General of police, Sunday Ehindero said the arms and ammunitions are meant to beef up security around the country, there are however indications that the recent imports is meant to intimidate the opposition and ultimately rig the April elections with the help of the police and the military.

The consignment include 4o,000 unit of AK 47 assault rifle, 20,million round of ammunitions to go with the AK 47, 30,000 unit of K2 riffles, with an accompanying 10 million rounds of ammunition, 10,000 units of Barreta pistol with 2 million round of ammunitions.

The police also took delivery of bullet proof vests, helmet and additional rounds for other calibers. This move is coming few weeks after a statement by General Olusegun Obasanjo. At a campaign rally in one of the southwest state, Obasanjo declared that the elections will be a do or die affairs. He called on PDP members to ensure victory at all cost."

"This coming election should be a do or die affair for the PDP and me", we should do everything to ensure victory.  Already a groundswell of oppositions to such tactics by Obasanjo as begun.

Former Chief of Army staff, General Victor Malu has said recently in an interview with a Nigeria tabloid that he and those sympathetic to his cause are going to resist the PDP by any means possible.   

 "We are going to resist the PDP by any means possible". There is going to be a serious problem in this country. I know any time I make this statement people easily say that General Malu wants to overthrown the government.

A member of the United State senate committee on Nigeria election, Senator Ross Feingold, recently warned of what they call deteriorating political situation in Nigeria.

"The committee will soon meet to discuss the clearly deteriorating political situation in Nigeria to take further steps to hold the Nigeria governments accountable for any crisis that might results from the elections". Feingold said.

A member of the Nigeria parliament and member of the police committee described the development as scary. The member who preferred anonymity because of party affiliation said "This could only lead to anarchy. How could you explain such massive importation of arms and ammunition at this time, remember this is coming shortly after the do or die declaration by Mr. President".

Nobel laurette Prof. Wole Soyinka recently warned that Nigeria is heading for anarchy. Any other attitude is an invitation to chaos and social disintegration, of which this nation has already absorbed, indeed, is currently undergoing, a surfeit.

Those whose conduct impose a choice on the nations between a defense of the rule of law on the one hand, and even the most laudable and patriotic acts on the other, must understand that they bear the ultimate responsibility for the damage done to our quest for moral solidarity."