USAID / Nigeria Economic Growth Activities Assessment

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

USAID / Nigeria Economic Growth Activities Assessment USAID/Nigeria: SO 2 Portfolio Review MOBIS Contract #: GS-23F-8004H USAID / Nigeria Economic Growth Activities Assessment TRANSITION PERIOD SUMMARY REPORT David T. King, Ph.D. March 2003 IBM Business Consulting Services 1616 North Fort Myer Drive Arlington, VA 22209 USAID / NIGERIA ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 2. Critical Obstacles to Economic Development During Nigeria’s Democratic Transition.....................................................................................................................................2 2.1 Statism and Rent-Seeking...........................................................................................2 2.1.1 Economic Dominance of the State ..................................................................3 2.1.1.1 The “Commanding Heights” Philosophy ...........................................3 2.1.1.2 The Dutch Disease ...........................................................................4 2.1.1.3 Misguided Trade Policy.....................................................................5 2.1.2 Character and Pervasiveness of Rent-Seeking...............................................7 2.1.3 Impact on Nigeria’s Economic Development...................................................8 2.1.3.1 Starvation of Income-Enhancing Investments ..................................8 2.1.3.2 Ineffective and Inefficient Government Institutions ...........................9 2.1.3.3 Repression of the Entrepreneurial Economy ..................................10 2.1.3.4 Prevention of Reform ......................................................................10 2.2 Unsupportive Business Enabling Environment .........................................................11 2.2.1 Commercial Law and the Enforcement Environment ....................................11 2.2.2 Availability and Cost of Business Finance.....................................................12 2.3 Macroeconomic Policy Instability and Financial Unsustainability..............................14 2.3.1 Budget Imbalance, Inflation, and Excessive Debt .........................................14 2.3.2 Balance of Payments Instability and the Exchange Rate ..............................15 2.4 Democratic Transition Obstacles to Adopting the Reform Program..........................16 3. The USAID Transition Period Economic Growth Program: Design, Execution, and Impact ........................................................................................................................................17 3.1 USAID Economic Growth Objectives and Program Design: the Transition Period Results Framework ............................................................................................................18 3.2 Program Execution and Activity-Specific Results......................................................20 3.2.1 Economic Policy Coordination.......................................................................21 3.2.2 Privatization ...................................................................................................23 3.2.3 Foreign Investment Promotion ......................................................................28 3.2.4 Trade Policy...................................................................................................30 3.2.5 Commercial Law............................................................................................32 i USAID / NIGERIA ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT 3.2.6 Anti-Corruption ..............................................................................................34 3.2.7 Domestic Debt Management .........................................................................36 3.2.8 Export Competitiveness.................................................................................37 3.2.9 Economic Policy Capacity-Building ...............................................................39 3.2.10 Budget Planning and Preparation..................................................................39 3.3 Overall Program Outcomes and Impact ....................................................................40 3.3.1 Program Outcomes vs. the Results Framework............................................40 3.3.2 Program Impact on Nigeria’s Key Development Problems ...........................42 4. Recommendations for Medium-Term Country Development Strategy.......................43 4.1 Lessons Learned from the Transition Period Program..............................................44 4.1.1 What Worked, and Why.................................................................................44 4.1.2 Impediments to Effective Impact ...................................................................44 4.2 Success Prerequisites for the Medium-Term Strategy..............................................45 4.2.1 Success Requirements for Improved Economic Governance .......................45 4.2.1.1 Effective Local Counterpart Agencies.............................................46 4.2.1.2 Operationally-Focused Activities.....................................................46 4.2.1.3 Public Constituency-Building for Reform ........................................46 4.2.2 Success Requirements for Non-Oil Private Sector Business Development..47 4.3 Specific Programmatic Priorities and Recommendations .........................................47 4.3.1 Economic Governance ..................................................................................48 4.3.2 Private Sector Business Development ..........................................................51 4.3.3 Cross-Cutting Themes and Cross-Sectoral Collaboration within USAID ......54 4.3.3.1 Democracy and Governance ..........................................................54 4.3.3.2 Gender............................................................................................54 4.3.3.3 Health and Education......................................................................54 4.3.4 Coordination with Other Donors ....................................................................54 5. Summary: The Evaluation Questions ...........................................................................55 Appendix 1: Documentary References ..................................................................................61 Appendix 2: Interview Sources...............................................................................................64 ii USAID / NIGERIA ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT Tables Table 1: Nigerian GDP by Sector ..............................................................................................4 Table 2: Government Sector Expenditure, by Type ................................................................9 Table 3: Sectoral Financial Balances .....................................................................................13 Table 4: Results Framework Applicable to Economic Growth Activities............................19 Table 5: Economic Growth Activities Contracts ...................................................................20 Table 6: Performance of Activities vs. Results Framework .................................................40 Table 7: Summary of Impact on Key Economic Development Obstacles...........................43 Table 8: Summary of Recommended Activities ....................................................................53 Table 9: Summary of Cooperation with Other Donors..........................................................55 iii USAID / NIGERIA ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT Acronyms and Abbreviations Item Meaning AGOA Africa Growth Opportunities Act AIAE African Institute for Applied Economics BPE Bureau for Public Enterprises (Nigeria) CBN Central Bank of Nigeria CDIE Center for Development Information and Evaluation (USAID) CEAP Chief Economic Advisor to the President (Nigeria) CLDP Commercial Law Development Program (US Dept of Commerce) CSO Civil Society Organization DFI Development Finance Institution DFID Department for International Development (U.K.) DMO Debt Management Office (Nigeria) DOC U.S. Department of Commerce ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States EG Economic Growth (USAID activities) EOI Expression of Interest EPCC Economic Policy Coordinating Committee (Nigeria) FBO Federal Budget Office FEC Federal Executive Council (Nigeria) FGON Federal Government of Nigeria FIAS Foreign Investment Advisory Service (IFC) FMC Federal Ministry of Commerce (Nigeria) FMI Federal Ministry of Industry FOS Federal Office of Statistics (FGON) GDP Gross Domestic Product GFS Government Financial Statistics (IMF standards) IAWG Interagency Working Group on Nigeria (USA) ICPC Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (Nigeria) ICT Information and Communications Technology IDA International Development Association (World Bank funding) IDR Institute for Development Research (Nigeria) IEC Information-Education-Communications IFC International Finance Corporation (World Bank) IMF International Monetary Fund IPR Intellectual Property Rights IR Intermediate Result (USAID) IRM Investor Road Map ISI Import Substitution Industrialization MAN Manufacturers Association of Nigeria iv USAID / NIGERIA ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT Item Meaning MFI Microfinance Institution MOF Ministry of Finance (Nigeria) NACCIMA Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture NAPEP National Poverty
Recommended publications
  • Calling Allison Ayida Page 1 of 5
    Calling Allison Ayida Page 1 of 5 Calling Allison Ayida By Ike Okonta I am writing to you on the matter of the intrepid women of Ugboegungun, a small community in Itsekiri land where the US multinational, ChevronTexaco, operates a multi-billion dollar oil terminal. In the book, Where Vultures Feast, co-authored with Oronto Douglas and published in 2001, I accused ChevronTexaco and Shell of devastating the ecology of the Niger delta, exploiting the local communities, and sponsoring acts of terrorism, mass murder, and the rape of young women to cow the people the easier to steal their oil unchallenged. Oronto and I called on eminent and well-meaning community leaders, politicians, environmentalists and statesmen like your good self to intervene in this matter, and begin to work to reshape the Nigerian state and generate a bold new social and economic framework that will not only address the pressing needs of communities such as Ugboegungun but also put an end, now and for all time, the sundry depravities of Chevron, Shell, and their fellow travellers. Some would argue that you have done your bit for Nigeria and for your people, that you gave the most productive years of your life to the Nigerian project at the most critical point in the nation's history, that you acquitted yourself honourably, and that you deserve your retirement. I agree to all these. But I also insist that the time has come for you to come out of retirement and offer moral and intellectual leadership to a country about to hit the rocks.
    [Show full text]
  • DFID's Programme in Nigeria
    House of Commons International Development Committee DFID's Programme in Nigeria Eighth Report of Session 2008–09 Volume I Report, together with formal minutes Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 13 October 2009 HC 840-I Published on 23 October 2009 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 International Development Committee The International Development Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for International Development and its associated public bodies. Current membership Malcolm Bruce MP (Liberal Democrat, Gordon) (Chairman) John Battle MP (Labour, Leeds West) Hugh Bayley MP (Labour, City of York) Richard Burden MP (Labour, Birmingham Northfield) Mr Nigel Evans MP (Conservative, Ribble Valley) Mr Mark Hendrick MP (Labour Co-op, Preston) Daniel Kawczynski MP (Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham) Mr Mark Lancaster MP (Conservative, Milton Keynes North East) Mr Virendra Sharma (Labour, Ealing Southall) Mr Marsha Singh MP (Labour, Bradford West) Andrew Stunell (Liberal Democrat, Hazel Grove) John Bercow MP (Conservative, Buckingham) and Mr Stephen Crabb MP (Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire) were also members of the Committee during this inquiry. Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at www.parliament.uk/indcom Committee staff The staff of the Committee are Carol Oxborough (Clerk), Keith Neary (Second Clerk), Anna Dickson (Committee Specialist), Chlöe Challender (Committee Specialist), Ian Hook (Senior Committee Assistant), Vanessa Hallinan (Committee Assistant), John Kittle (Committee Support Assistant), and Alex Paterson (Media Officer).
    [Show full text]
  • Oral History Program Series: Governance Traps Interview No.: H7 Interviewee: Obadiah Mailafia Interviewer: Itumeleng Makgetl
    An initiative of the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Bobst Center for Peace and Justice, Princeton University Oral History Program Series: Governance Traps Interview no.: H7 Interviewee: Obadiah Mailafia Interviewer: Itumeleng Makgetla Date of Interview: 28 August 2009 Location: Abuja Nigeria Innovations for Successful Societies, Bobst Center for Peace and Justice Princeton University, 83 Prospect Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA www.princeton.edu/successfulsocieties Use of this transcript is governed by ISS Terms of Use, available at www.princeton.edu/successfulsocieties Innovations for Successful Societies Series: Governance Traps Oral History Program Interview number: H-7 ________________________________________________________________________ MAKGETIA: My name is Itumeleng Makgetia, and we’re in Abuja, Nigeria. It is the 28th of August 2009 and I am here with Dr. Obadiah Mailafia who was the Deputy General of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2005 until 2007, and is currently the Founder and Director for the Center for Policy and Economic Research (CEPER). MAILAFIA: Yes. MAKGETLA: Thank you for participating in this set of interviews with reform leaders. MAILAFIA: Thank you Tumi. It is a great pleasure to meet with you and to be able to engage in this fascinating discussion and conversation. MAKGETLA: Thank you. Before we begin, can I just ask you to confirm that I’ve been able to answer any questions you had and that you are aware that this is a voluntary interview. MAILAFIA: Of course, we have discussed that and I am more than happy to converse with you on this.
    [Show full text]
  • DFID's Programme in Nigeria
    House of Commons International Development Committee DFID's Programme in Nigeria Eighth Report of Session 2008–09 Volume I EMBARGOED ADVANCE COPY Not to be published in full, or in part, in any form before 00.01 on Friday 23 October 2009 HC 840-I House of Commons International Development Committee DFID's Programme in Nigeria Eighth Report of Session 2008–09 Volume I Report, together with formal minutes Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 13 October 2009 HC 840-I Published on 23 October 2009 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 International Development Committee The International Development Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for International Development and its associated public bodies. Current membership Malcolm Bruce MP (Liberal Democrat, Gordon) (Chairman) John Battle MP (Labour, Leeds West) Hugh Bayley MP (Labour, City of York) Richard Burden MP (Labour, Birmingham Northfield) Mr Nigel Evans MP (Conservative, Ribble Valley) Mr Mark Hendrick MP (Labour Co-op, Preston) Daniel Kawczynski MP (Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham) Mr Mark Lancaster MP (Conservative, Milton Keynes North East) Mr Virendra Sharma (Labour, Ealing Southall) Mr Marsha Singh MP (Labour, Bradford West) Andrew Stunell (Liberal Democrat, Hazel Grove) John Bercow MP (Conservative, Buckingham) and Mr Stephen Crabb MP (Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire) were also members of the Committee during this inquiry. Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152.
    [Show full text]
  • Amaka Gazette a Journal of CKC-AAA Inc
    The Amaka Gazette A Journal of CKC-AAA Inc. Eleventh Convention Edition, July 2007 1997 10 2007 A DECADE OF SERVICE CKC-AAA What We Stand For CKC-AAA At Work My Whises For You The Voices of Those Who Made It All Happen CKC 2007 Sand Prints And Marble Etchings The Clarion Call: For The Love of Amaka Decisions of 2006 San Francisco, CA Convention plus CKC Tit-Bits and Information on C.K.C. ONITSHA, AAA, Inc. 11Th Annual Convention & Fundraising Banquet 20-22 July 2007, Boston, MA Souvenir: All Proceeds Will be Used for the Improvement of C.K.C. Onitsha Amaka Boys, Please Keep Up the Good Work! FLOREAT CEE KAY CEE! The Amaka Gazette: A Journal of CKC-AAA, Inc. July 2007 2 The Amaka Gazette Periodical Postage paid in Snellville, Georgia Volume 8 No. 1 Table of Contents 5 The Amaka Gazette is published annually by the Christ The King A Decade of Service College Onitsha Alumni Association In America. 7 P. O. Box 1433, Welcome Message By Host Chapter Snellville, GA 30078 8 Visit our website for the more information: From The Presidency http://www.ckconitsha.net 9 Questions and comments should CKC-AAA What We Stand For be directed to: Mr. Oseloka Obaze at 10 (908) 337-2766 Emails: [email protected], CKC-AAA At Work [email protected], or 11 [email protected] 2007 Convention Provisional Agenda Christ the King College Onitsha, Nigeria is an all boy’s high 12-13 school. Its mission is to Alumni/Guest Keynote Speakers’ Profile facilitate, nurture, and instill in youths a thirst for goodness, 18 discipline and knowledge based on catholic moral principles, in Honor Roll /Exceptional Service Award Recipients preparation for life’s journey to 23 create a better world.
    [Show full text]
  • Exxonmobil Upstream Affiliates
    E D I T I O N 2 , 2 0 1 3 A Publication of ExxonMobil Subsidiaries in Nigeria ISSN 1597 - 0442 ExxonMobil Upstream Affiliates MPN JV signs FRSC Road agreement on Safety Awareness MON holds QIPP Initiative launch 35th Annual General Meeting I n s i d e EDITION 2 2013 BUSINESS COMMUNITY RELATIONS EM Upstream Affiliates Introduce A Girl to On Display at the 2013 Science and Engineering SPE Conference Day 2013 2 20 BUSINESS EMPLOYEE Mobil Oil Nigeria 2013 EM Upstream Holds 35th Annual Nigeria Charity Walk General Meeting 6 24 SHE EMPLOYEE ExxonMobil OTG Staff Takes the Fight Children’s Day to Malaria 13 27 ExxonMobil News ISSN: 1597 0442 Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited Mobil Oil Nigeria plc Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited Edition 2, 2013 Chairman/Managing Director. EEPNL & MPN and Lead Country Manager: Mark R. Ward Chairman/Managing Director, MON: Adetunji A. Oyebanji Director, Lubricants & Specialties, MON: A. J. MacNaughton General Manager, Public & Government Affairs: Paul C. Arinze Editors: Nigel Cookey-Gam, Akin Fatunke Editorial Team: Adeyemi Fakayejo, Ozemoya Okordion, Ernest Omo-Ojo, Cornell Udeagwu, Patrick Utomi Editorial Support: Peniel Media Ltd. Cover/Concept/Graphic Designs: Taiwo Ogunbiyi Registered Office: Mobil House, 1, Lekki Expressway, P.M.B. 12054, Victoria Island, Lagos. Published by Public & Government Affairs Department for Employees of ExxonMobil subsidiaries in Nigeria. All correspondence to: The Editor, Public & Government Affairs Department, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil House, 1, Lekki Expressway, P.M.B. 12054, Victoria Island, Lagos. Tel: 01-2801100. www.exxonmobil.com.ng All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the editors.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Character Principle and National Integration (1999-2011)
    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 21, Issue 6, Ver. 6 (June. 2016) PP 01-10 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org Federal Character Principle And National Integration (1999-2011) UGWUJA DANIEL I. Department Of Political Science, Enugu State University Of Science And Technology, Nigeria. ABSTRACT:-This research determined whether the application of the federal character principle in solving ethnic tension, national question and inequitable distribution of political power possesses the potentials for achieving national integration which is the prerequisite for economic development. Most of the information in this research was based on the secondary source of data collection. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has been plagued by ethnic tension and political conflicts which have taken the toll of unity and stability in Nigeria. Various solutions, ranging from the adoption of unitary system, federalism to the creation of states, have been proffered and implemented to the creation of states, proffered and implemented, but the problem has persisted. The adoption of federal character principle in Nigeria is to hold the federating units firm. This research also traced the history of amalgamation and evolution of Nigeria as one political unit. It also analyzed and examined the adoption of the Federal Character Principle as a solution to the problem of ethnic tensions arising from inequitable distribution of political power and posts, its relevance to the solution on ethnic tensions and marginalization. Keywords:- National integration, amalgamation, economic development, political power and ethnic tension. I. INTRODUCTION The concept of federal character is a device through which every section of a nation would take part in the decision making process.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009 Third Quarter Budget Implementation Report
    3rd Quarter budget implementation report 2009 3RD QUARTER BUDGET 2009 IMPLEMENTATION REPORT Budget Office of the Federation Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja i 3rd Quarter budget implementation report 2009 FOREWORD I am delighted to present this 3rd Quarter Budget Implementation Report for 2009, which provides detailed information on the allocation of public resources among competing socio-economic needs through the Federal Budget. These Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports serve as instruments through which the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government can be held responsible for the expenditure and revenues they administer, and the achievement of the objectives of government as elucidated in the 7-Point Agenda. Section 30 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 mandates the preparation and publication of Quarterly Reports to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Annual Budget. These Quarterly Reports are required to be presented to the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Joint Finance Committee of the National Assembly, and are to be widely disseminated to the general public and other stakeholders through electronic and other media. The 2009 1st and 2nd Quarters Budget Implementation Reports were duly published earlier in the year, and the 3rd Quarter Report continues this reporting tradition. The 3rd Quarter Budget Implementation Report is the result of the diligent monitoring, evaluation and analytical work conducted by the Budget Office of the Federation and I commend the team for their hard work and effort. I also recognize the important role of both the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the National Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee in promoting best practice in public financial management, and I look forward to continuing our cooperative work in this regard.
    [Show full text]
  • Palladium Impact Investing: Nigeria Trip Review
    Palladium Impact Investing: Nigeria Trip Review October 2015 Contents 1. Palladium Impact Investing Post- Nigeria Trip Review ........................................................... 1 1.1 Context and Background ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The First ‘Next Step’ ............................................................................................................. 3 2. Detailed Findings Nigeria Visit .................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Trip Findings - Potential Impact Investment Opportunities ............................................... 4 2.1.1 Key Partners .................................................................................................................. 6 2.1.2 The need to connect at a grass- roots level, as early as possible, to bring the (impact) investor’s perspective to bear ................................................................................. 7 2.2 Key Challenges and Reoccurring Observations ................................................................ 8 2.2.1 Limitations regarding finance ....................................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Government intervention has often been misplaced or unreliable ............................ 9 2.2.3 Aggregation, as a point of facilitating access to goods/services to the northern regions, remains a challenge ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sage Magazi 27
    The A Philosophical & General Interest Magazine VOLUME 30 CATHOLIC CHURCH OF Feb 2017 - Feb 2018 ASSUMPTION sagebodija.com A SagePUBLICATION OF SS PETER AND PAUL SEMINARY BODIJA, IBADAN Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos Bishop Matthew Hassan-Kuka Prof. Pat Utomi The Parish Priest, Associate Priest, Religious, Prof. (Mrs) Grace Ogwu Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Laity Council and the entire Parishioner of Church of Assumption, Falomo, Nigeria At Crossroads: De-Gravitas Creativity 08072543339, 09033296610 SOCIO-ECONOMICFAITH TURBULENCE Felicitates AND THE FATE OF A with the Rector, Formation Team, Student and the members of The Sage editorial crew (2016/2017 Session) for the Successful publication of the CHOICE-LESS POPULACE th edition of The@ THE SAGE sage MAGAZINE. ISBN 20161912100 MarywooD Girls College 31, Franklin Street, Ebute Meta (West). Lagos. Tel: +2347064620194. Website: www.marywoodgc.lagos.org Learning Field Ltd. Our Foci Lagos State Faith Mora Academi ls cs Felicitates with theFelicitates Rector, Formation Team, Student and the members with the Rector, Formation Team, Student and the members of The Sage editorial crew (2016/2017 Session) of The Sage editorial crew (2016/2017 Session) for the Successful publication of the for the Successful publication of the th th edition of edition of THE SAGE MAGAZINE. THE SAGE MAGAZINE. ...Virtue and academic excellence Cover Article 6 By the Editor’s Pen 3 PREFACE TO COVER NIGERIA AT CROSSROADS: THE EXODUS OF AND THE FATE OF A A PEOPLE'S HOPE! CHOICELESS POPULACE n her moment of creativity, Flora their faces, the dearth of concern illiteracy and to tend to the challenges Shaw, concubine of Lord Lugard, greeting the educational sector, the confronting the educational sector.
    [Show full text]
  • 2011 Post-Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Lesson for 2015 General Election
    American International Journal of Available online at http://www.iasir.net Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences ISSN (Print): 2328-3734, ISSN (Online): 2328-3696, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3688 AIJRHASS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research) 2011 POST-ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA: LESSON FOR 2015 GENERAL ELECTION OSIMEN GODDY UWA*, OLOGUNOWA CHRISTOPHER SUNDAY Department of Political Science and International Relations, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria Abstract: Nigeria is a heterogeneous country with diverse and overlapping religious and ethnic divisions. Nigerian culture is as diverse as its population, which is estimated to be around 150 million. With the regaining of political process in 1999 after over thirty (30) years of military rule, Nigeria looked set for a return to stability and the regaining of its position in the commity of nations particularly in Africa. Wrongly so, this was not to be. Since the 1999 to the 2011 General elections, the Nigeria electoral and political landscape has fallen from par to below par and has moved from violence to greater violence. The level and magnitude of electoral and political violence has risen and the political elites have often converted poverty ridden unemployed Nigerian youths into readymade machinery for the perpetration of electoral violence. This is linked to the political system and institution that in theory has failed to political participation and in practice has seen the political elites forming bulk of the sponsors and perpetrators of electoral violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria's Elections: Avoiding a Political Crisis
    NIGERIA’S ELECTIONS: AVOIDING A POLITICAL CRISIS Africa Report N°123 – 28 March 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. OBASANJO’S ATTEMPTS TO KEEP POWER ....................................................... 2 A. CONTROL OVER PDP NOMINATIONS .....................................................................................2 B. UNDERMINING THE OPPOSITION............................................................................................4 C. THE FEUD WITH ATIKU ABUBAKAR ......................................................................................5 D. RISKS OF BACKFIRE? ............................................................................................................7 III. THE SPREAD OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE............................................................. 9 A. DEMOCRACY WITHOUT DEMOCRATS....................................................................................9 1. God-fatherism............................................................................................................9 2. The increase of political violence ..............................................................................9 B. A THRIVING MARKET FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE................................................................11 C. WORSENING INSURGENCY IN THE NIGER DELTA.................................................................12
    [Show full text]