2006年VOA标准英语-Nigerian Politicians Slam Obasanjo
时间：2019-02-05 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（五月）
By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
19 May 2006
President Olusegun Obasanjo speaks during a meeting of the People's Democratic Party in Abuja, May 18, 2006
Some of Nigeria's leading opposition 1 groups are criticizing President Olusegun Obasanjo for his role in the drive to amend 2 the constitution and allow the former military ruler a third term. Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja on reactions to Mr. Obasanjo's acceptance Thursday of a parliamentary vote that denied him an opportunity to extend his mandate 3.
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The Advanced Congress of Democrats 4, Afenifere and Pro-National Conference Organization (PRONACO) are leading the charge, criticizing President Obasanjo for his role in the failed campaign to extend his presidency 5 beyond the two-term limit.
In a statement, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a spokesman for the Advanced Congress of Democrats, said the president's attempt to extend his term was a disgrace. Mohammed compared Obasanjo to past leaders such as the late General Sanni Abacha who attempted to stay in office at a time Nigerians were tired of their rule.
Opponents say they were harassed 6, intimidated 7 and offered bribes 8 ahead of a parliamentary debate on the issue. Some critics of Mr. Obasanjo are demanding his resignation.
Mazi Okwu, who leads a coalition 9 of 16 opposition parties, known as Patriotic 10 Parties Alliance, says the third-term saga 11 has weakened the president's stature 12.
"The president has no option, he had been overwhelmed," he said. "The gamble failed as far as I'm concerned. And it's unfortunate because he has wounded himself by fighting shy. He was there in the background claiming he had no interest and that God will intervene. And then his handlers failed him. As far as I'm concerned, it was very badly handled. So what has now happened is that he's now a lame 13 duck president."
Opposition to a third term came mainly from the Muslim-dominated north where politicians say it's their turn to take the top job after eight years of rule by Obasanjo, a Christian 14 from the southwest.
Analysts 15 say Nigeria faces a turbulent run-up to elections as political figures jostle for influence in a country split between Muslims and Christians 16 and divided by three main ethnic 17 groups and hundreds of minorities.
Okwu says a future without Obasanjo means Nigeria has an opportunity for credible 18, free and fair elections in 2007.
"Let's see how it plays out because you see these are loose situations and anything could happen," he said. "Even if the PDP [ruling Peoples Democratic Party] decides to come down from its high horse and package a grand coalition, it can still pull it off. So, it's open I concede... the prominent candidates now need to network. It is very important and anything can happen. As far as I'm concerned, I'm excited from the robust 19 politicking 20 and electioneering campaigns because for the first time since 1999 there's a chance of the people's government.''
An increasing number of candidates have already indicated their intention to contest the presidential ballot 21 in 2007. Elections next year should mark the first time in Nigerian history that a civilian 22 president hands over power to another through elections.
- The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
- The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
- The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
- You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。
- The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
- The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。
- The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
- The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
- Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。
- We try to make sure children don't feel intimidated on their first day at school. 我们努力确保孩子们在上学的第一天不胆怯。
- The thief intimidated the boy into not telling the police. 这个贼恫吓那男孩使他不敢向警察报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
- corrupt officials accepting bribes 接受贿赂的贪官污吏
- The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
- Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。
- His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
- The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。
- The saga of Flight 19 is probably the most repeated story about the Bermuda Triangle.飞行19中队的传说或许是有关百慕大三角最重复的故事。
- The novel depicts the saga of a family.小说描绘了一个家族的传奇故事。
- He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
- The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。
- The lame man needs a stick when he walks.那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。
- I don't believe his story.It'sounds a bit lame.我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。
- They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
- His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
- City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
- I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
- Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
- His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。
- This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
- The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。
- The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
- Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？
- She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
- China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。
- A lot of politicking preceded the choice of the new director. 在选新领导人之前进行了大量的拉拢活动。 来自辞典例句
- This colleague is always politicking. 这位同僚总是忙于政治活动。 来自互联网
- The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
- The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。