Case Study Nigeria: War Within Borders   Instructions: Enter your answers into the boxes below. If you'd like a print-out of your responses, click on the Submit button at the bottom of the page, and you will be taken to a printer-friendly page. If you have been instructed to submit your exercise online, enter both your and your instructor's name and e-mail address, then click the Email button at the bottom of the page. Your answers will be e-mailed immediately.   The Limitation of Traditionally Unlimited Power :: A Way Of Life? :: The Rock and the Hard Place   The Rock and the Hard Place Events in Benue placed Nigerian President Obasanjo in the most delicate of circumstances. Even if his inclination had been to publicly criticize the military for the violence in Benue, reality would hinder this candor and outrage. Obasanjo led the first Nigerian civilian government after years of military rule. His regime was on uncertain ground. Yet another military coup was not out of the question. To criticize the military was to risk the end of his presidency, as well as the termination of civilian rule. Yet, to say or do nothing about such an atrocity would risk provoking the outrage of a civilian population that would determine whether Obasanjo would have a second term. With elections coming in the near future, President Obasanjo faced an exceptionally difficult decision. He was caught between a military predisposed toward intervention in the governing of Nigeria and a public disgusted with violence perpetrated by the military. How should he respond to the violence in Benue? Put yourself in a position of being an adviser to President Obasanjo and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the following options: a. Criticize the military and attempt to impose restrictions on the military’s use of force b. Put the power of the presidency behind the military and condemn the mob violence by civilians c. Maintain a distance from the situation and take no action other than to publicly condemn all violence and the loss of Nigerian lives Is there another option for dealing with this situation? Finally, should President Obasanjo align himself with any of the various groups battling for power in Nigeria? Explain your response.     Student Name:* Student Email:*   Professor Name:*   Professor Email:*         *required