2006年VOA标准英语-Nigerian Parliament Debates Changes to Cha

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
12 May 2006

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (File photo)  
  
There have been some rowdy scenes in both houses of the Nigerian parliament in recent days, as lawmakers review a bill to change the constitution and allow President Olusegun Obasanjo to run in elections next year.

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Already, strong signs are emerging that the proposal to rewrite the constitution to allow President Obasanjo to run for a third term may not receive the required two-thirds in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

Wunmi Bewaji, a member of parliament and a leading critic of the bill says opponents are being threatened.

"We receive anonymous¹ calls from people warning us to desist from opposing the perpetuation² of President Obasanjo in office. It's a common occurence, it's a daily occurrence," said Bewaji.

Nigeria's constitution allows two terms of four years for the president and state governors, but powerful allies of Mr. Obasanjo are campaigning to extend it to three terms.

Cletus Upaa, a House of Representatives member, who belongs to the so-called pro-third term group, says Mr. Obasanjo has achieved tremendous results, and deserves another term.

"I think President Obasanjo has done a good job, and I personally think that he has done a good job in the area of the fight against corruption³. Whether selective or not, I support his fight against corruption. ... the people he assembled to help him in administering this country, they are producing results," said Upaa. "We are seeing changes. So, I believe he has done a very good job."

Mr. Obasanjo's election in 1999 marked the end of 15 years of military rule in Africa's most populous⁴ nation. Next year's vote should mark the first time in Nigeria's history that one civilian⁵ president hands over to another through elections.

Local newspapers have published allegations of bribes⁶ by Mr. Obasanjo's supporters to win support for the third-term amendment⁷. Government officials have denied such allegations.

1 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。

2 perpetuation   

n.永存，不朽

参考例句：

• Are there some on going policies that encourage its perpetuation? 现在是否有一些持续的政策令这会根深蒂固？ 来自互联网
• Does the mental perpetuation exist? 存在心理的永恒吗？ 来自互联网

3 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

4 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

5 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

6 bribes   

n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂

参考例句：

• 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

7 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。