Spotlight on Nigeria

You may have noticed that Nigerians have been going to the polls. Elections in faraway countries are not usually very interesting - and in Africa often dismissed as sham. Nigeria has a reputation for corruption and mismanagement along with the worst culprits, so I wouldn't be surprised if you switch off at this point.  

BUT I'm going to try to hold your attention at least for another few paragraphs, because these elections suggest that something unusual is going on in Nigeria.

Why should anyone care about Nigeria? For one thing it epitomises Africa. Bad things that happen there stain the rest of the continent. It's by far the biggest country - over 150 million people (no one really knows because there hasn't been an effective census for decades). And it gets the world’s attention because outrageous things happen there, or are perpetrated by Nigerians in other places - particularly the infamous scam emails.

Most people know that billions of $ of oil revenue have been stolen by Nigeria's political elites over the years. They may also hear about kidnappings in the Delta, inter-community violence on the fault line between north and south Nigeria, and disturbing practices involving traditional medicine. If you know any Nigerians in England, chances are they will not be complementary about the people who run their country.

But think what an example Nigeria would set if it had free and fair elections. And that's what appears to be happening right now. Goodluck Jonathan - the incumbent president with the Homburg - has just spent over half a billion dollars on the most elaborate election administration system any country has ever seen - with the prime objective of eliminating fraud. The only thing he hasn't introduced is voter DNA matching.

Why is he doing this? Supreme confidence of victory?  Or is he a new Nelson Mandela? Neither in fact. The reality is he's simply a conscientious and rather modest person – he was an environmental protection officer before stumbling into politics - who wants to do the right thing. And he doesn't trust his fellow Nigerians to follow his lead. So let’s hear it for dull politicians!

Things could still fall apart (to borrow from Chinua Achebe). Especially in the electing of State Governors. These positions are seen as licenses to print money. It's beyond Jonathan's power to control that. But just for once, if the fish rots, it won't be from the head down.

By the way, you may be wondering why Jonathan wears that Homburg. No he’s not known to be a fan of Madonna. It’s just a tradition among tribal chiefs in the Delta where he’s from.

Next blog - why I like going to Nigeria.