Mandela Set Free
On this day in March 1961, initial relief came the way of Nelson Mandela as he was first acquitted of the charges against him. Before his ordeal, the African National Congress (ANC) had sought Mandela's help to operate underground due to fears of a government ban. After the Sharpeville massacre in March 1960 where the police killed 69 protesters, the ANC was banned. Mandela and others were arrested and charged with high treason. After a trial that lasted four and half years, he and others were acquitted on March 29, 1961.
His struggle was far from being over, Mandela led the formation of a military wing which posed another risk to him. He later left South Africa for a training abroad but was arrested again, charged with sabotage and was sentenced to life imprisonment 1964. International pressures on the government eventually led to the ANC ban being lifted in 1990. Mandela was released on February 11, 1990, after 27 years in prison. He became ANC president in 1991, and eventually emerged the President of South Africa in 1994.
Source: BBC
FG Declares Total Lockdown
Also, on March 29, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a total lockdown. This initial phase of the lockdown took effect in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja. Effective from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020, all movements in Lagos, the FCT, and Ogun State were restricted for an initial period of 14 days. President Buhari advised citizens in these areas to remain at home and postpone travel to or from other states. Additionally, all businesses and offices within these locations were instructed to close during this period. He added that the Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Minister of the FCT, had been informed of the decision.
This marked the beginning of the harsh effects of the Covid-19 for many Nigerians. Just as some other countries that declared lockdown, after the initial 14-day timeline, the lockdown was declared nationwide bringing more challenges for Nigerians. Since Covid-19 was a global pandemic which came with the choice of life and death, Nigerians were encouraged to adhere to the measures to stay alive while government and some philanthropists gave out palliatives. Covid-19 lingered for almost two years before that phase ended. Since then, many people have been adjusting to life after the pandemic era.
Source: Channels
Election Extended As President Fights To Retain Power
Election entered day 2 on this day March 29, 2015 as voting in certain regions of Nigeria was been prolonged until Sunday due to delays and a series of attacks. Technical issues with new biometric cards hampered voter registration, affecting even President Goodluck Jonathan of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In fact, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC's website went offline on Saturday when a hacker group that called itself the Nigerian Cyber Army attacked it. The group also posted a message warning officials not to rig the polls.
Reports indicate that over 20 people lost their lives in several attacks carried out by gunmen. President Jonathan faced a formidable opponent in Muhammadu Buhari, and the election was believed to be the most fiercely contested since Nigeria gained independence. There were insinuations that the postponement was a delay strategy by the sitting President who was fighting hard to retain power amid stiff opposition from Buhari- the main opposition party's candidate. At the end of the day, Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, won the election marking the first time an incumbent President lost a presidential election. Since then, Nigeria has remained under the APC which made several promises.
Source: BBC, VOA