Lagos, Nigeria - Supporters by the tens of thousands packed Nigeria's streets in raucous displays of jubilation this morning after Nigerian Progressive Party candidate Akachukwu Acho was declared winner in yesterdays runoff Presidential election. Earlier this morning, Provisional Ruling Council Chief General Abubakar, announced Acho the new President with an overwhelming 63% of the vote over runner-up Ndamukong Suh.
The Nigerian born, American educated Acho, although largely unknown to the outside world, has been climbing Nigeria's political ladder since arriving in his homeland in 1990. After graduating from the prestigious Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1980 with a degree in political science, Acho served in the United States military for four years, including a one year stint with the highly decorated 82nd Airborne and another year at the US Army War College.
After completing his military service, Acho matriculated to the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Massachusetts where he completed a Masters of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) degree.
Upon his return to Nigeria, impressed with his resume, he was appointed by the Armed Forces Military Council to clean up the corruption in the Nigerian National Police. He promised better training, better pay and more accountability. Everyone got a little of both. Over 10,000 officers in a force of 200,000 quit in his first year. Fifteen thousand more quit the next. The public rejoiced. No more checkpoint shakedowns. The boys manning the gates at checkpoint Charlie actually had tp work for their paycheck. Acho also expanded the CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and provided them with high-tech labs and equipment. Crime rates in Lagos dropped precipitously.
Just two years later, the Provincial Ruling Council gave Acho an even more challenging task. Reform the military. In 1995 at 35 years old, he was given his dream job. He had the whole country in his hands.
He quickly established the Training and Doctrine Command Center in Minna and a naval command centers in Lagos and Port Harcourt as well as an Air base in Kano.
With his rallying cry, "Build Dreams. Restore Hope." chanted over and over again in the streets today, now this upstart just needs to keep all of those lofty promises.
