The more I saw footages of the ongoing protests in Iran, the more the memories of June 12 1993 and its aftermath flood my mind. The parallels between the characters and events in 1993 Nigeria and 2009 Iran go beyond the date coincidence or oil reliance.

Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has been re-elected for a second term. The Electoral Commission announced the result today. Mutharika, a former World Bank official, received about 2.6 million votes while his opponent John Tembo received 1.2 million. But in a written statement Mr Tembo vowed to challenge the results, citing vote irregularities. - Panos, [...]

Partial Electoral Commission (EC) results announced at 10:30am today show Bingu wa Mutharika, presidential candidate for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the May 19 elections, leading against hottest contender John Tembo.
Many private schools are closed in the Malawian city of Blantyre and other towns due to fear of violence following the presidential election. Votes are [...]

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Ekiti State is the latest Pawn on the Nigerian Chessboard. Ayoka Adebayo like all other Pawns on the Chess board has had to suffer the normal treatment melted on Pawns on the Nigerian Chessboard. And like any Pawn that decides to start with a double step has met with the expected onslaught and has had to succumb by taking flight.

More tension gripped Ekiti State on Tuesday following the reported resignation of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, over alleged pressure being placed on her to serve certain interests in the re-run governorship election in the state. Adebayo, who had left the state on Sunday was said to have forwarded her resignation letter [...]

Gerlad Yona, a leader from South African breakaway party COPE was shot dead Wednesday along with his wife as the country voted. The party official Gerlad Yona, his wife and children were attacked by three armed men at home in the Eastern Cape province. - France 24.

Millions of people are expected to vote today in South Africa’s fourth democratic elections since apartheid ended in 1994. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is predicted to win, but could lose its two-thirds majority in parliament. It is being challenged by its long-standing rival, the Democratic Alliance. The breakaway Congress of the People party [...]

Sierra Leone’s vice president, Samuel Sam-Sumana has slapped an indefinite ban on radio stations owned by country’s major political parties. It follows a wave of politically-motivated clashes between rival party militants across the country in the past two weeks. The radio stations owned by the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) and its main rival, the [...]

Madagascar’s Opposition Leader Andry Rajoelina is set to become the country’s new leader after being endorsed by the military after former president Marc Ravalomanana stepped down from power.
After weeks of unrest, which left more than 100 people dead, Madagascar’s power struggle has come to an end. President Ravalomanana has resigned after pressure from the [...]

A tense standoff continues in Madagascar Tuesday between President Marc Ravalomanana and forces loyal to opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.
On Monday, soldiers in the capital Antananarivo took over a presidential palace after the opposition leader called for President Ravalomanana’s arrest.
Mr. Ravalomanana was not in the palace when soldiers stormed it. He had taken refuge at [...]