Goodluck Jonathan, '11

President Goodluck Jonathan

On April 16, 2011, Nigerians will go to the voting polls to either re-elect incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan or choose a new leader, most likely former head of state Muhammadu Buhari. Of these two, the one I believe to be the best suited for the job would be Goodluck Jonathan. The third of the civilian leaders that Nigeria has been under since independence in 1960, Jonathan is also the only one not to have gained power through election or through a military coup. Jonathan had formerly been governor of the Bayelsa state in southern Nigeria, where he had required a good reputation for honesty. In 2007, he was chosen by People's Democratic Party to be the running mate of presidential candidate Alhaji Yar'adua. Goodluck only came to the presidency after the death of his predecessor last year. This shows that Goodluck, unlike other leaders of the nation, can be trusted with power as he did not seek it originally.
 Though he may be vague on his campaign pledges (which politicians aren't?), I believe that his re-election is crucial to the democratization of Nigeria. If Nigeria were to be ruled once more by a former military dictator, it would be a signal that Nigeria is not ready to fully embrace democratic principles. A return to dictatorship would be a bad blow to stability in the region, which is shaky enough due to the conflict over the nation's oil. A peaceful re-election is needed to ensure that Nigeria continues on the path toward an improved democratic government.

Sources:
http://www.goodluckjonathanfor2011.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=4
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/20/world/africa/20nigeria.html

Corruption in Nigeria

The most substantial problem that has plagued Nigeria for decades is widespread corruption among the country's public officials. Like many third world-countries, particularly in Africa, corruption is inherent in Nigeria's culture ever since it gained independence in 1960. Bribery, graft, extortion, and nepotism are norms among government officials, bureaucrats, and police officers. Taking advantage of their position of power, these officials will take bribes to look the other way or for a share in an illegal practice.

Corruption in the country has a number of root causes. Nigeria, being primarily a tribal nation, lacks a strong sense of national community and affinity. Though the official language English is a unifying factor, many Nigerians feel more loyalty toward their own ethnic group then towards a central government. Nigeria's economic boom because of oil drilling has only inflated corrupt practices. The sudden affluence of Nigeria due to its valuable oil depots ushered in a culture of excess and fragrancy by the elite class and government officials, many of whom directly profit off of the oil business.

Nigeria as a nation will continue to suffer even more due to such massive corruption. Though Nigeria is experiencing good economic times, continued government corruption will only hamper further economic progress. Benefits for Nigerian citizens will continue to be swiftly eroded by corruption and graft by government officials. This will only cause greater resentment toward the government and spread more instability across the country. As seen in the 2007 presidential elections, electoral tampering will greatly damage the people's faith in their government, and may even persuade them not to be involved in a democratic process they see as rife with corruption.

Sources:

http://www.africaeconomicanalysis.org/articles/gen/corruptiondikehtm.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_Nigeria
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bribe/2009/04/nigeria-the-hidden-cost-of-corruption.html