Elections in Nigeria: Opportunity for Improvement

Morgan Lorraine Roach / March 25, 2011

On April 9, Nigerians head to the polls to vote in the presidential and gubernatorial elections. Since 1999, when the country returned to civilian rule, each election has been marred by violence, bribery, and allegations of fraud. Adding to the already daunting challenge is President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to run for election, disregarding the unwritten power-sharing agreement between north and south.

Jonathan assumed office last year when his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, died while in office. This situation raised political tensions in Nigeria because the presidency is supposed to rotate between leaders from the north and the south. From 1999 to 2007, it was the south’s turn to rule. Then, from 2007 to 2015, the north was meant to be in power. Despite then-Vice President Jonathan being from the Christian south and Yar’Adua being from the predominantly Muslim north, Jonathan became Nigeria’s new president. Jonathan’s choice to run in next month’s election has further threatened Nigeria’s presidential arrangement. Northerners in particular object to Jonathan’s disregard for the political “zoning,” fearing that they will be politically marginalized and lose influence over distribution of the oil revenue and patronage that run Nigeria’s political economy, according to former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell. (more…)