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Nigeria: 150 million people + Elections = Turmoil

By on March 18, 2010
The long absence of the Head of State, reportedly suffering from an inflammation of the outer membrane of heart, without formal transfer of power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has created a crisis of confidence in the country. Situation which conducted the National Assembly, by a resolution unanimously adopted on 9 February, to give power to Jonathan, as acting president of the country.

Given the insecurity the country is experiencing and the continuing uncertainty over Mr. Yar’Adua recovery, it was announced on Tuesday 16 march that next year’s presidential election will be held April 23 2011, and might be brought forward by January 22, 2011. The Nigerian Electoral Commission has also indicated that the precise date of the election depends on the outcome of the electoral reform, and considering Mr Yar’Adua’s term of office expiring in May 2011. All coming events look like normal in the most populous country of Africa, but not when we know that the ruling People’s Democratic Party has a policy of alternating between Muslim and Christian presidential candidates and that would rule out Mr. Jonathan, a Christian. But the party added this month that because Olusegun Obasanjo, also a Christian, had led Nigeria for eight years it was “proper” for a northern Muslim to do the same. That comment may change everything in Nigeria, a country of 150 million people evenly split between Muslims and Christians.

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