TRANSCRIPT 5.2.2

Global Pulse video: "Nigeria, Kenya, and the Rule of Law" (2008, March 12)

Female Speaker: Two African nations vote. Both elections are disputed. One is settled in court, and one turns violent. Next on Global Pulse: a comparison of how broadcasters worldwide are covering this story. In April of last year, Nigerians voted in the nation's first civilian transition of power. As China CCTV and Nigeria's NTA reported, the result was contested.
Female Speaker: Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has been elected Nigeria's new president.
Female Speaker: Election results came as no surprise. Fifty-six-year-old Umaru Yar'Adua, a Muslim governor of the Northern Katsina State, was declared the winner on Monday. Yar'Adua is said to have won around 25 million votes, more than three times the number garnered by runner-up General Muhammadu Buhari. But Buhari says he will not accept the results. The country's main political parties also rejected the vote as fraudulent.
Female Speaker: In December, Kenya voted for a new president as well. But immediately there was violence, as reported by NBC News.
Male Speaker: Kenya: Tens of thousands took to the streets to accuse President Mwai Kibaki of stealing Thursday's election. [Background shouting.] The result: chaos. At least 185 people killed as protests spread across the country. Police told reporters they had orders to shoot to kill.
Female Speaker: The election results brought Kenya to the brink of a civil war. France's TV5 explains the roots of this violence.
Male Speaker: Kenya, which today is falling into violence, was once one of the calmest countries in East Africa. After independence in 1963, the country's 50 ethnic groups lived in peace. The largest ethnic group is the Kikuyu, who hold power and run the economy. The Luo, the main ethnic group of the opposition, demands a share in the riches. The president, Kibaki, is a Kikuyu, but his rival, Raila Odinga, is a Luo.
Female Speaker: In contrast, in Nigeria, previously a country known for political instability, the disagreement went like this, according to Nigeria's NTA:
Male Speaker: President of the Nigerian Union of Political Parties Dr. Perry Opala said even though the country is passing through a difficult phase of democratic experience, a solid democratic foundation will evolve.
Male Speaker: The tribunal said the petitioners did not provide enough evidence to void the election.
Female Speaker: Consequently, there are no riots or violence in Nigeria. In an unprecedented step, the political disagreement was left to the Nigerian judiciary system.
Atiku Abubakar: I have instructed my team of lawyers to compile the records of today's proceedings and to immediately file an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria to overturn this judgment.
Female Speaker: Finally, in Kenya, after two months of violence, a power-sharing agreement was reached, as reported by Al-Jazeera English.
Male Speaker: There will be a post of Prime Minister of the government of Kenya with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the government of Kenya.
Female Speaker: Neither fight is completely over, but the differences in reaching an agreement are striking. Nigerians put their faith in the rule of law, and now Kenyans hope for the politicians to fulfill their promises. For Global Pulse, this is Erin Coker.